PS 101 1st Edition Lecture 18Outline of Last Lecture I. What is an interest group?II. Interest Groups and Democracy-Roles-TypesIII. More on Groups-Organized-Membership-ResourcesIV. Theories About Group Formation-“Disturbance Theory”-“Entrepreneurship Theory”Outline of Current Lecture I. Basics of LobbyingII. Do The Rules Work?-Abramoff ScandalIII. Inside Strategies-Direct lobbyingIV. Outside Strategies -Grassroots lobbying-Astroturf lobbying-ElectioneeringV. More on ElectioneeringVI. Some ConclusionsCurrent LectureI. Basics of LobbyingA. What is it?1. Efforts to influence public policy through contact with public officials on behalf of an interest groupB. Who does it? 1. Representatives of interest groups themselves2. Members of interest groups3. Lobbying firms hired by the interest groups C. Rules about LobbyingThese 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.1. A heavily regulated enterprisea. Firms must file annual reports that identify clients and how much each paidb. Groups and corporations must file reports indicating which of their staff members lobby and how much they pay to firmsc. 1-2 year waiting period between leaving office and lobbying 2. Lots of money is spent! a. Staff, advertising campaigns, contracts to lobbying firmsb. Other (less savory?) costs—meals, gifts, etc. to those one is lobbyingMoney Spent on Lob-byingTop Spenders on LobbyingII. Do the Rules Work?A. The Abramoff Scandal 1. In 2005, Jack Abramoff, a major lobbyist, was accused of using “golf junkets, meals at his restaurant, seats at sporting events, and, in some cases, old fashioned cash” to lobby members of Congress2. Convicted in 2006 of conspiracy, fraud, and tax evasion3. Representative Bob Ney and some legislative staffers and bureaucrats were convicted of accepting bribes or making false statements about their relationship with AbramoffB. BUT... 1. Most evidence suggests that Abramoff was a glaring exception2. Most groups don’t have resources to do this, and most focus on offering information to those in government who ALREADY support their goalsC. Two Strategies 1. Inside strategya. The tactics employed within Washington, D.C. by interest groups seeking to achieve their policy goals 2. Outside strategya. The tactics employed outside Washington, D.C. by interest groups seeking to achieve their policy goalsIII. Inside StrategiesA. Direct lobbying1. Attempts by interest groups staff to influence policy by speakingwith elected officials or bureaucratsB. Other activities 1. Drafting legislation and regulations2. Conducting and sharing research3. Testifying at hearings4. Litigation Choosing StrategiesIV. Outside StrategiesA. Grassroots lobbying1. A lobbying strategy that relies on participation by group members, such as a protest or letter-writing campaign 2. Why might this be effective?a. A lot of their constituents care about their issues enough to write a letter, vote in the next election, etc.—widespread support B. Astroturf lobbying1. Any lobbying method initiated by an interest group that is designed to look like the spontaneous, independent participation of many individualsC. Electioneering1. Interest group involvement in campaigns to attempt to influence who gets electedV. More on Electioneering A. Laws limit groups’ electioneering effortsB. What an organization can do based on its tax status1. 501(c)(3)—No political activities other than mobilization2. 527—Can spend unlimited amounts on issue advocacy and mobilization, but cannot contribute to (or coordinate with) candidates or parties3. 501(c)(4)—Can spend unlimited amounts on electioneering, but at least half of its activities must be non-political and cannot coordinate with candidates or parties4. PACs— Can contribute directly to candidate and parties, but with strict limits on overall contributions5. Super PACs—Can spend unlimited amounts on electioneering and support or oppose candidates, but cannot make direct contributions or coordinate efforts with candidate or partiesHow Much is Spent?VI. Truths about Group InfluenceA. Interest groups lobby their interests and tend to moderate their demands when they encounter resistance B. Many complaints about interest groups come from the losers of political fightsC. Groups often claim victory even if they didn’t have anything to do with the resultD. The amount of money spent by interest groups does not mean that the group gets a great deal of “bang for their buck”E. Little evidence that money buys election outcomesF. When Are Groups Successful?1. They act on low-profile issues2. They attempt to block action rather than create it 3. They are unopposed by competing groups4. They have resources and accessVII. Some ConclusionsA. Presence of interest groups in American politics 1. An integral part2. The “special interests” are us!B. Power of interest groups in American politics 1. Powerful, but in a more contingent way than the conventional wisdom often