What Is an Interest Group?

CITIZENSHIP, CIVIL LIBERTIES, AND CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES Interest Groups: Definition and Types What Is an Interest Group? An interest group, also called a special interest group, is an organization of people who share common goals. They bridge the gap between the public and lawmakers, and seek to influence public opinion, elections, and public policy. Interest groups come in all sizes and shapes. They may have thousands, millions, or just a handful of members. They may be highly structured or loose and informal. Some have many resources, while others have few. Types of Interest Groups TYPE OF INTEREST GROUP & PURPOSE Business and Labor Groups To influence lawmakers about policies regarding the economy and business Agricultural Groups To represent the needs of fanners and farm businesses Professional Groups Groups of individuals with specialized training (law, medicine, etc.) representing the needs of their profession Specific Causes To influence and promote policies geared to specific causes Religious Groups To represent the needs and viewpoints of their members Public-Interest Groups To represent the broad-based needs and interests of the public Government-Interest Groups Groups of government officials who represent their needs to other government officials General Welfare Organizations To promote the welfare of a particular group EXAMPLES National Manufacturers Association works to limit government regulation of industry. AFL-CIO, the largest labor organization in the U.S., seeks policies favorable to workers. American Farm Bureau Federation is composed of larger, successful farmers. National Farmers' Union represents smaller farmers. American Medical Association promotes, protects, and regulates doctors. American Bar Association promotes, protects, and regulates the law profession. American Civil Liberties Union is devoted to defending the civil liberties of all Americans. Sierra Club promotes the exploration and conservation of wilderness in the U.S. National Council of Churches is dedicated to advancing religious institutions nationwide. Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith fights discrimination, particularly against people of the Jewish faith. Common Cause promotes openness and honesty in U.S. government. Public Citizen monitors government and corporate policies that affect the public. National Governors Association tries to influence Congress and the president to benefit their states. National Conference of State Legislators tries to influence federal officials to benefit their states and localities. American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars advance the interests of veterans. Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons promotes the interests of senior citizens.

Debate Over Interest Groups In no country in the world has the principle of association been more successfully used, or applied to a greater multitude of objects, than in America... In the United States associations are established to promote the public safety, commerce, industry, morality and religion. Alexis de Tocqueville Democracy in America my 5 Positive 1. James Madison believed that factions were inevitable and that a republican form of government would allow groups to balance each other so that none could become too powerful. 2. Interest groups provide additional representation for the public in Congress. People can be represented in terms of their economic, social, or occupational interests. 3. A pressure group also serves as a watchdog and can protest government policies that might harm its members. Negative 1. James Madison warned the new nation against the dangerous side of "factions," which he defined as "a number of citizens... who are united by some common impulse... adverse to the rights of other citizens" (Federalist 10, 1787). Today, the competition among interest groups can cripple efforts to change policy. 2. The greatest concern over interest groups in recent years has been their contributions to political campaigns. Many argue that interest groups have far too much control over members of Congress. 3. Regulating lobbying by interest groups is difficult. By law, all lobbyists must register with the clerk of the House and the secretary of the Senate; until 1995, only interest groups that claimed their primary function to be lobbying were required to register. The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, however, extended the definition of a lobbyist to include any individual who spends at least 20% of his or her total time lobbying on behalf of an interest group. As a result of this legislative reform, many more interest groups were required to register with Congress.

Influences on Congress from Constituencies Members of Congress are influenced by two main constituencies: voters and special interest groups. They must listen to both groups' concerns and try to balance them. Voters Constituents of a member of Congress often believe their interests should supersede those of the nation. Service to the constituency is a primary function of members of Congress. The increase In federal programs has made it essential that a representative or senator "look ouf for the interests of his/her district or state. Most members devote a large portion of their staff and funds to their districts' interests, knowing that it is essential to their re-election. The voter must be made aware of the efforts and the voting record of his/her representative or senator. Therefore, the elected official: makes frequent trips home takes on "casework" individual concerns of his or her constituents, for example, helping someone obtain a small business loan, or making sure that a retiring veteran receives all of his benefits Special Interest Groups Lobbyists or representatives of special interest groups have gained considerable leverage in Congress in the past century. Their function is to persuade members of Congress to support policies of importance to the groups they represent. More than 6,000 lobbyists (representing more than 11,000 firms or organizations) are registered in Washington. Lobbyists provide in-depth information to members of Congress and testify at hearings. Their techniques have become very sophisticated and very effective. Special interest groups form Political Action Committees (PACs) for the purpose of raising money to support political campaigns. In 1985, the Supreme Court protected PACs by saying that limiting the amount of money PACs use to support candidates would be a violation of free speech. Number of Political Action Committees (PACS) has staff review and answer constituent mail hires pollsters during an election year to gauge public opinion 4 3 2 1 0 3992 2551, I N, I N, I M, I N, 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000

Lobbying and Other Interest-Group Tactics The term "lobbyist" was coined because interestgroup representatives would contact senators or representatives in the lobbies of state or federal capitol buildings. Lobbying Interest groups seek to influence government policy by contacting lawmakers or other government leaders. The people who make such contacts are lobbyists. They work at the federal, state, and local levels. Most large and important interest groups have lobbyists on their payrolls in Washington, D.C. Many lobbyists are former government officials who have friends in Congress and the executive branch. Lawyers and public relations specialists may also become lobbyists. The Job of a Lobbyist They spend most of their time trying to influence members of Congress, but also seek out members of the executive and judicial branches. They supply lawmakers with information that supports the position of the interest group on a particular issue. (Members of Congress realize that lobbyists may be biased, but a lobbyist who purposely misrepresents the facts may lose access to the legislator.) They help to draft bills. Many large interest groups retain legal and research staffs for this purpose. Election Support Interest groups can promise campaign contributions to lawmakers who favor their policies or threaten to withhold support from those who do not. The elected official may not always vote the way the interest group would like, but the contribution assures the group access. Interest groups also conduct "get out the vote" campaigns urging members and people who share their views to vote for particular candidates. Interest groups may also encourage their own members to seek public office. Court Action Interest groups may take their concerns to the courts. For example, business groups may sue the government to protest federal regulations. Public Support Interest groups may run campaigns to gain public support for their policies, using television, radio, the internet, newspapers, and magazines.

POLICY-MAKING AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL Policy-Making and Politics An effective policy-making apparatus takes the details of the political system into account. Several models exist that describe how the political system works. Four are outlined here. Political systems theory This model is the most useful in understanding policy-making, as it gives us a good picture of how the separate components interact in the policy-making process and highlights how this interaction can be full of conflict. It can be applied in nearly all types of political and policy-making situations. Inputs from the Environment Demands for action from interested parties, often in conflict with each other Supports actions taken to support political system, such as obeying laws, paying taxes rh V A Political System Officials arbitrate among various inputs to decide which societal values should factor into decisions. This arbitration can be very contentious. Outputs (Policies) Feedback As the outputs, or policies, are formulated and implemented, feedback occurs. This feedback alters the environment and creates new demands and supports. OTHER THEORIES Group theory This model says that group struggles determine policy choices. Government officials, particularly the legislature, are arbiters in these struggles. EXAMPLES Example The National Rifle Association often opposes efforts of large and powerful urban groups (such as police departments) who seek stiffer gun-control laws. Elite theory Members of a ruling class or "elite" establish policy for a society based upon a shared set of values. Shifts in power, and consequently policy, happen incrementally and slowly over decades and even centuries. Institutionalism This model emphasizes the importance of official systems of governance and politics. It says that particular structural distinctions that is, prescribed roles and functions, rules of operations, membership guidelines, etc. between institutions determine specific approaches to policy problems and policymaking. Example The ruling elite in the early years of U.S. history, including many framers of the Constitution, valued private enterprise over government involvement in economic affairs. Only gradually was government regulation of business allowed. Example In yearly budget negotiations, Congress members try to protect programs of regional interest, while the president seeks to promote programs that serve the entire country.

Policy-Making at the National Level: Environmental Policy Goals U.S. policy on the environment seeks to ensure the current health and future viability of the country's natural resources. 3 Selected Policy Tools and Strategies Putting resources into national trust status Tax incentives for individuals and corporations to encourage environmentally safe practices Business Interest Groups National Association of Manufacturers American Petroleum Institute Independent Petroleum Association of America American Farm Bureau Federation Official International Entities Foreign governments U.N. Environment Programme Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Regulations to ensure environmentally safe practices 5 Major Government Policy Actors President and Executive Branch Department of Interior Maintains health of federal lands and resources; provides for commercial use in an environmentally sound manner Preserves recreational opportunities and natural and cultural heritage of the country Encourages the preservation of diverse plant and animal species and protection of habitats Advances scientific research and monitoring to improve our understanding of ecology Reduces the effects of natural and human-made impacts on land and resources Department of Agriculture Promotes stewardship of U.S. land and natural resources through the Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service Legislative Branch Standing Committees of Congress review, research, and hold hearings on issues and legislation House Committee on Resources House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works NTH Public Interest Groups and Research Institutes Committee for the National Institute for the Environment Earth First! EarthWatch Environmental Defense Fund Friends of the Earth Greenpeace International National Audubon Society National Wildlife Federation Sierra Club Judicial Branch Mediates conflicts between players The Media TV networks, radio, print sources, and Internet news sites

6.20 POLICY-MAKING AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL Policy-Making at the National Level: Agriculture Policy Goals Agricultural policy in the U.S. seeks to ensure the adequacy and safety of the country's food supply and promotes nutritious, healthful diets for individuals throughout the U.S. 3 Selected Policy Tools and Strategies Price- and income-support program Credit and disaster recovery aid Market regulations to ensure competition Safety regulations for food supplies Research on new agricultural products and processes Business Interest Groups American Farm Bureau Federation American Meat Institute National Meat Association Produce Marketing Association NAWGA-IFDA (association of wholesale food distributors) Official International Entities World Trade Organization Food and Agriculture Organization HV Major Government Policy Actors President and Executive Branch Department of Agriculture Aids farmers with income and price supports, and credit, insurance, and disaster-recovery programs Promotes and protects U.S. agricultural export markets Assures the safety of meat and poultry products through the Food Safety agency Invests in research to improve nation's food supply Educates public regarding safe and healthful foods and diets Legislative Branch Standing Committees of Congress review, research, and hold hearings on issues and legislation House Committee on Agriculture House Committee on Resources Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Public Interest Groups and Research Institutes Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) Consumer Alert American Association for Honest Labeling Public Voice for Food and Health Policy Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy Judicial Branch Mediates conflicts between players The Media 3 TV networks, radio, print sources, and Internet news sites