Outline of Last LectureOutline of Current LectureDynamic Representation (Cont.)Types of Interest GroupsFormation of GroupsWhy there are two parties in the USPOLS 102 1st Edition Lecture 14 Outline of Last Lecture1. Receive Accept Sample Model of Information Procession (continued)2. Dynamic RepresentationOutline of Current Lecture1. Continuation from last lecture of Dynamic Representation2. Interest Groups3. Types of Interest Groups4. Formation of Groups5. Why there are two parties in the USCURRENT LECTUREDynamic Representation (Cont.)3. Rational Expectations of Elected OfficialsA. Officials change their behavior (e.g. votes) - They anticipate how the public will react to things and they try to make rational decisions based on that reaction.4. Therefore, the policy decisions in government respond to the public’s moodsA. That is, public opinion influences public policy- On the whole – general direction of government- Because politicians want to be re-elected- Moderate voters are really important because they change their mind5. Importantly, one reason public mood changes is:A. Most Americans are more Moderate (reading 10-3) and when a small percent of moderate citizen/voters think government decisions have become to liberal or conservative, they will change their minds. B. Which leads these citizens/voters to want government decisions to become more of the opposite, whether it’s liberal or conservative.These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.- When moderates see that a lot of bills are being passed in respect to one party, they change their minds and they switch sides. - All it takes is 2-4% of moderate voters to switch sides and there will be a an electorate changeC. Can lead to an electorate change- Example: 1994, 2006, 2008,2010- Moderates fluxuate- Dynamic Representation is how the government corrects itself; it’s a responsive mechanism for the public 6. Even though a lot of citizens are A. Biased towards their predispositions (RAS model) andB. lack political awareness/knowledge (RAS model)***C. in the aggregate public opinion can and does guide government policy decisions.Interest Groups – a collection of individuals or groups with common political, economic or social interests/incentives/beliefs that:- Do not run candidates for public office- Uses some portion of its collective resources to influence the decision of government/engage in government- Is organized externally to the institutions of governmento Doesn’t exist within congress or other government groupsTypes of Interest Groups1. Trade and Professional Associationsa. The American Medical Association (AMA)b. The National Association of Manufacturers (NMA)2. Corporations a. Microsoft3. Labor Unions – fight over collective bargaining rights, etc.a. American Federation of Labor – Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)b. American Association of University Professors (AAUP)4. Citizen groups – public interest groups with common valuesa. National Rifle Association (NRA)Formation of Groups1. Disturbance Theory – change creates conflict between groups, which lobby the government to resolve the conflict in their favor (reading 13-2).a. The pluralists beliefb. Their interests are challenged so they will band together to try to effect policy that could improve their lives. c. Economic, Social and Political changesd. Result = proliferation of interest groups – groups form in reaction to other groups. 2. Inhibited by the free rider problem for some groupsa. Groups are limited by the free rider problem. In the grand scheme of things an individual’s contribution is so small it won’t make a difference, so you should just save your money. Therefore, it’s rational to free ride.b. Is it irrational to join/participate in an interest group?i. If the goal of the group is to produce a collective good that’s non-excludable (like a clean environment) then yes, it’s irrational.c. But you should join the group. Groups try to convince individuals to join/participate in groups based on selective benefits that individuals receive if they are part of the group.i. Purposive/Expressive – the sense of satisfaction or worthiness that you get from being a part of the group.ii. Solidarity – being able to network with people who have the same interests or values as you.iii. Material – tangible goods you get for joining. For example, calendars, clocks, clothing.iv. Some combination of A-C makes it rational for people to join/participate in groups.d. Nevertheless, many groups, especially groups lobbying for public goods have fewer members or resources then they should according to pluralist requirements for democracy by interest groups. Therefore, such groups have less power than they should. Why there are two parties in the US1. Duvergers Law (pg. 532-533) a. When you have single member districts (SMD) – only one representative per district – and plurality (winner takes all) elections you get a 2 party government