Interest Groups

Interest Groups
Any organization that seeks to influence public policy. A wide number of groups are defined here.
Americans for Tax Reform, Citizens Against Government Waste, National Abortion Rights Action League. Sierra Club, United Autoworkers, National Association of Counties

What About Parties?

The difference is that they have broad interests. Interest Groups are generally more narrow in scope.

Two Types by Membership

Institutional Interest Groups (membership is small): represent organizations
For example, National Association of Secretaries of State, etc. Office staff for organization runs it Money comes from Patrons (dues)

Membership Interest Groups (larger membership):

Individuals join the group Christian Coalition, AAA, Greenpeace, etc.

Two Types By Goals

Ideological Groups (some overlap with Inst. Groups)
Pursue a specific set of policies to attract a specific set of followers Corporate lobbies

Public Interest Groups (some overlap with Mem. Groups)

Group works for what they see/define as the public good Benefits for all Environmental groups, government reform groups.

Why Do Members Join?

The Logic of Collective Action prevents members from joining unless a selective incentive is offered.
First of all, what is the logic of collective action? Secondly, what are selective incentives?

Collective Action Problem

A situation in which everyone has a choice between two alternatives and where, if everyone involved chooses the alternative act that is Individualistically Rational, the outcome will be worse for everyone involved, in their own estimation, than it would be if they were all to choose the other alternative.

Collective Action Problem

Huh? Water, for example. Say a town is in the midst of a drought, but people want to water their lawns and let their kids play in the sprinklers, etc. People have reasons to cheat in other words. And that causes a breakdown in the collective use of water. If everyone does, everyone is worse off.

Collective Action Problem

How about voting? Take 2008. Let's say that the state polls had begun to mirror the national polls in the presidential race. So it looks like Obama is sure to win. Well, there is a group of people that want to see Obama win that is their collective goal but if Obama is going to win anyway, why should I go to the trouble of voting? But if everyone cheats, then, well, we have a different 44th president.

Selective Incentives
What are they?
Well, it can be a bumper sticker or a tote bag. Or it can be the good feeling you get from being a part of the group or the perception that you are in some way making a difference.

Selective Incentives: 3 Types

Solidary benefits: Remember those machine politicians. They didn't have those tangible benefits once the machine era ended, but they did have the feeling of being a part of the group and the process.

Selective Incentives: 3 Types

Material incentives: Ah, here are those tangible benefits. When stickers are enough to get you to join the group (...and pay dues).

Selective Incentives: 3 Types

Purposive (expressive) incentive: This one is more psychological. You feel good when you feel like you're making a difference.
WWF, for example. It means something to be saving endangered animals.

Funds for Interest Groups

Membership Dues
Generally not enough

Foundation grants
Private, philanthropic organizations provide millions for interest groups.

Federal grants
Doesn't fund lobbying but funds activities or programs for groups.

Direct Mail
Seeks larger contributions (beyond membership)

What Do Interest Groups Do?

Information
Legislators
Narrow, technical problems Honesty (If they lie, they're done.) Political cues

Voters
Ratings (ADA ratings, etc.) Voter guides

What Do Interest Groups Do?

Money and PACs
1970s reforms limited the effect of money in politics FECA and Buckley v. Valeo More recently BCRA
Citizens United

Access and Influence With contributions limited to relatively small amounts, no one can buy a great deal of influence. Emily's List and bundling Does money buy votes? Patterns of contributions (to the middle or the extremes?)

Two Strategies
Legislative strategy
Give to whomever is there and try to buy their votes Evidence: a lot of money goes to incumbents (or both in close races), but this only proves they are trying to buy votes not that they are succeeding.

Two Strategies
Electoral Strategy
Give to people who share your views so that more people who share your views get elected. Evidence: Ideological groups give to people they agree with and who are in competitive races. They don't give to sure losers.

But do they buy votes?

Money helps to get access But doesn't often provide them with the general influence they desire.