Assignments

Special Interest Group Project

Politicians tend to support positions favored by well organized, easily identifiable special interest groups.   Special interest voters will let candidates know about issues they feel strongly about, this is how many topics become important during election years.  Gun rights advocates are very vocal, as are environmentalists, anti-abortion, pro-choice, etc. and etc.  This is one one way that the political system is influenced by "special interests."  Another way, is through special interest groups.  

Special interest groups exist because there is power in numbers.  Members of a special interest group share a common concern and try to influence government policies affecting those concerns.  Interest groups are also known as lobbies.  Lobbying is one way in which interest groups shape legislation and bring the views of the people they represent to the attention of law makers.  

The negative side to interest groups is that it can look like "vote buying." 

Types of Interest Groups 

Economic Interest Groups 
Largest category of interest groups.  U.S. Chamber of Commerce and National Association of Manufacturers both represent business organizations.  The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organization (AFL-CIO) represent labor interests, as does the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (UPS drivers).  Most of those interest groups that are serious about influencing legislation in Congress, have offices in Washington DC.  

Professionals can have interest groups, such as The American Medical Association.  There are special interest groups that represent all walks of life, from fishermen to pawn store owners.  

Public Interest Groups - These groups typically do not expect to make a profit directly from the policy changes they seek, BUT, often times their staff members are good at getting donations to support their causes and the staff members themselves are paid.  The League of Women Voters lobbies Congress on issues that impact women.  The Environmental Defense Fund, lobbies for legislation that is helpful to the environment.  

Government Interest Groups - Since we have a federal system of government, or one created with many levels, some of them, like the National League of Cities, might lobby Congress for legislation that helps larger cities by providing more federal funding for their cities.  The National Conference of Mayors, a group that lobbies for legislation that is beneficial to running towns.  

Religious Interest Groups - These groups lobby for legislation that supports the teachings of their church.  Most religious interest groups for instance would be in favor of legislation that prohibited abortion.  

Civil Rights Interests Groups - The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People for instance would lobby Congress for legislation that would be beneficial for African-Americans and civil rights.   There are groups based on sexuality that want to combat legislation that limits marriage rights.  

Idealogical Interest Groups - these groups want to push ideas that may be either liberal or conservative.  The American Conservative Union pushes legislation that reflects conservative ideals.  

Single Issue Interest Groups - these were formed for very specific reasons or issues.  Such as the National Rifle Association lobbies against legislation that promotes gun control.  Or the National Right To Life Committee which lobbies for laws that would limit or outlaw abortions.  

Who Are Lobbyists

 Lobbyists- the employees of associations who try to influence policy decisions and positions in the executive and especially in the legislative branches of our government. They are experienced in the ways of government, often having worked for other groups or causes.  After a few years in the administration, they are ready to make the move to lobbying.  Moving from a government job to one with an interest group is quite common and called REVOLVING DOOR. It is illegal for former national government employees to directly lobby the agency they came from, but their contacts made during government service are helpful to interest groups.  They help create networks of people who care about certain issue.

One limit on their power is the competition among interest groups. Rarely does any one group have a policy area all to itself.  To members of Congress, the single most important thing lobbyists provide is money for their next reelection campaign.  Money from interest groups has become instrumental in the driving need among incumbents.  They also provide volunteers for campaigns

Political Action Committees

Political Action Committee (PAC)- the political arm of an interest group that is legally entitled to raise funds on a voluntary basis from members, stockholders, or employees in order to contribute funds to favored candidates or political parties.  Packs give money and other political aid to politicians and persuade officeholders to act or vote “the right way” on issues. 

1970s brought a near revolution in the role and influence of PACs as the result of reforms intended to reduce the influence of money in elections.  Number of PACs increased from 150 to nearly 4000 today.  Corporations and trade associations contribute the most to its growth - Labor PAC's are less than 10%.  The 1960s-70s interest groups were mostly based on environmental, consumer, and political reform issues

Their main influence lies in their capacity to contribute money to candidates- they need a lot of $ to run a campaign, it is not uncommon for a House candidate to spend more than $1M and Senators several times more.  As PACs contribute more, their influence grows. What counts is not only the amounts they give, but also to whom they give.  PACs give not only to the majority party, but to the minority party as well, knowing that today’s minority may be tomorrow’s majority.