Who Participates? (in general)Who Participates?Assessment-Public OpinionInterest GroupsInterest Groups & Political PartiesFunctions of Interest GroupsWhy do Interest Groups Form?Slide 8Why do people join?Rational actor and the free-rider problemPolitical Action Committees (PACs)Lobbying TacticsLobbying Tactics continuedPros and Cons RevisitedMore Pros and ConsStill More Pros and ConsWho Participates? (in general) Who Participates? (in general) High SESeducationincomeemploymentStrong political skills (efficacy)Instrumental participationExpressive participationStrong political resourcesTime, money, civic skillsWho Participates?Who Participates?TRUSTHIGH LOWEFFICACYHIGHActive,ConventionalParticipationRadical action,UnconventionalParticipationLOWSupportive,Patriotic,RitualisticWithdrawn frompolitics,ApatheticAssessment-Public OpinionAssessment-Public OpinionWill of the people is plural (not singular), ambiguous, inconstant, and often difficult to discernPublic policy is most influenced by those who participate (efficacious)Linking institutions are vitalInterest GroupsInterest Groups“a politically oriented organization of persons who share common attitudes on some matter and make demands on others in society with respect to that matter” (p. 137)Not all use government to influence othersPros and ConsTocqueville: Americans have a propensity to form associations (1st Amendment)Madison warned against the mischief of factions and developed government systems to control their effectsInterest Groups & Political PartiesInterest Groups & Political PartiesInterest Groups don’t:nominate candidates for election to office attempt to represent a broad range of interestscarry extra ethical burdens or public obligations Interest Group goals:Promote the group’s interests in governmentProtect the group’s interests from othersFunctions of Interest GroupsFunctions of Interest GroupsRepresent constituents before members of Congress, administrators, regulators, etc.Facilitate public (indirect) participation in politicsEducate government officials, membership, public at largeDevelop public agendas by encouraging action on important issuesMonitor implementation of policiesWhy do Interest Groups Form?Why do Interest Groups Form?Pluralist theorists attribute it to disturbances in the system (events); people respond to invisible handthis is a theory of David TrumanOthers attribute interest group formation to the leadership of “organizational entrepreneurs”this is another theoryCesar Chavez is associated with thisThird group applies population ecology model & political “carrying capacity” with market nicheWhy Why dodo Interest Groups Form? Interest Groups Form?Evidence of all; but resources matterlarge & active membershipaccess to financesaccess to leadership and expertisenature of “mission:”public interest groupscorporate & trade organizationssingle issue lobbiesGrowth since 1959: 5,800 to 23,300Why do people join?Why do people join?Material benefits:Reduced rates for servicesPublications, professional associationSolidarity benefits:Shared membership; socialization; identityPurposive benefits:sense of common good; support of “cause”Rational actor and the free-rider problemRational actor and the free-rider problemMancur Olson: rational to join when benefits are discrete; individualizedPublic interest organizations won’t survive because their accomplishments benefit all whether they contribute or not (free rider)Paradox: If no one contributes, there will be no benefits for anyonePolitical Action Committees (PACs)Political Action Committees (PACs)Funding arm of interest groupsDonate funds ($5,000 limit per candidate per election); incumbents benefit mostPurpose of donations is political accessCritics argue that representation shouldn’t be tied to moneyProponents (including Supreme Court) say money is a form of speechCalifornia: http://cal-access.ss.ca.gov/U.S.: http://www.fec.gov/Lobbying TacticsLobbying TacticsDirect lobbyingpersonal contactsCongressional testimonycourt litigation; executive hearingsIndirect lobbyingInfluential donors and the mediaGrass roots lobbying letter writing campaignspolitical protestsLobbying Tactics continuedLobbying Tactics continuedInformation campaigns public relations (advertising, public speaking, newsletters, pamphlets)sponsored research (more recent; more partisan)publicizing Congressional votesrating elected officialsCoalition building, logrollingPros and Cons RevisitedPros and Cons RevisitedParticipation is not “democratic”Iron law of oligarchy says that groups serve leadership interestsStill, members can vote with their feet (or pocketbook); support is voluntaryWell established interest groups can become part of iron triangle or policy issue network (elected officials, lobbyists, administrators)More Pros and ConsMore Pros and ConsInterest groups favor those with high SES and better chance of accessPublic interest groups may represent the poor, but they don’t encourage the poor to develop their own skills of political efficacyStill, standard of conduct observed when lobbying Congress (e.g., tobacco)Airlines lobbied FAA against security oversight?Still More Pros and ConsStill More Pros and ConsResearch does not prove relationship between donations and legislation (causality is complex)Little evidence of quid pro quo although it is clear that money has influenceImportance of public relations is increasingOrganized mail campaigns can misrepresent public interestTension between equality and
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