Interest Groups

• Pluralism: competition of interests produces balance, moderation, and serves public good
  • Madison, Federalist  #10: advantage of variety
  • Recall Liberty!  video: “The more the merrier!”
• Definition: Groups organized to influence government
  • Note: Different from political parties (who seek to run government)
• Why do groups exist?
  • Democracy: Government set up to listen, groups louder than individuals
  • Diversity of interests (Federalist #10, "The more the merrier!")
  • Division: Fragmented government (access points)
• Organization: Leadership, Finance, Membership
• “Free Rider” problem? (collective goods)
  • selective benefits
• Mythology and Reality: Equality and Biases
  • Myth: Fight for equality; Reality: Upper-class, Corporate biases
• Number of groups increased in recent years
  • More government
  • “New Politics” (non-economic)  & Conservative reaction
  • Other factors: Std of living, Education, Technology

Interest Group Strategies

• Strategies
  • Lobbying
    [audio extra: NPR story 8/3/01: "Sidewalk Lobbyists" requires RealPlayer]
    [web extra: Lobby School (no kidding!)]
  • Access
    • Iron Triangles
  • Courts
  • Going Public
  • Electoral Politics: Political Action Committees (PACs)

Political Action Committees

• Sole purpose – to raise funds to contribute to candidates
• Why PACs?
  • Federal election law Forbids direct contributions from corporations and labor unions
  • Contribution limits: Individual, $2700*; Group, $5000
    [web extra: Buckley v. Valeo (1976)]
    *2017-2018 adjusted for inflation every odd-numbered year
• Citizens United v. FEC (2010) and "Super PACs"
  [audio extra: NPR story 1/13/15: "5 Years After 'Citizens United', SuperPACs Continue To Grow"]

End chapter 5