Outline of the Discussion


 The Ubiquity of Interest Groups
 Effective Interest Groups
 Interest Group Strategies
 Evaluating Interest Groups
 
 THE UBIQUITY OF
INTEREST GROUPS
 Interest Groups

 Even in the finest democracy, one can
do little.
 The solution is to form a group of like-
minded individuals.
 After hard work organizing, fund-
raising, and lobbying, you can start
having an impact.
 Interest Groups

 For the pluralist view, the crux of
politics is groups.
 Interest Groups

 Pluralism is determined not only by the
existence of groups but by the degree to
which the government permits or
encourages the open interplay of
groups.
 Interest Groups

 Pluralism has a normative component,
an “ought” or a “should”.
 Interest Groups

 The term interest group covers just about
any collection of people trying to
influence the government.
 Interest Groups

 Interest groups are non-publicly
accountable organizations that attempt
to promote shared private interests by
influencing public policy outcomes.
 Interest Groups

 Interest groups are a bit like political
parties for both try to influence public
policy.
 Interest Groups

 Interest groups work outside the
electoral process.
 They may influence the nomination of
candidates who are sympathetic to their
cause.
 Goals of Interest Groups

 Interest groups usually focus on
specific programs and issues.
 They seek to represent the opinions and
demands of their members.
 Goals of Interest Groups

 Interest groups try to influence
legislators and executive.
 Nature of Memberships

 Interest groups have a narrower
membership.
 They draw those aiming at religious,
environmental, or gender goals.
 Who Belongs to
Interest Groups?

 Divergent interests lead to group
formation.
 Government policy is the outcome of
competition among many groups.
 Who Belongs to
Interest Groups?

 In reality, better-off and better-
educated people represent the interest
groups.
 Who Belongs to
Interest Groups?

 The poor sector may act explosively.
 Who Belongs to
Interest Groups?

 Not all sectors of society can effectively
form and use interest groups.
 
 EFFECTIVE INTEREST
GROUPS
 Political Culture

 In societies where many people join
groups, people have a greater sense of
political competence and efficacy.
 The Rise of Big Money

 Money is probably the single most
important factor in interest group
success.
 The Rise of Big Money

 Money is especially important for
elections, and groups help candidates
who favor their causes.
 The Rise of Single-Issue
Groups

 Perhaps the second greatest factor in
the influence of interest groups is the
intensity of the issue involved.
 The Rise of Single-Issue
Groups

 The right issue can mobilize millions,
give the group cohesion and
commitment, and boost donations.
 Size and Membership

 Size alone is not necessarily the most
important element in interest-group
strength.
 Money and intensity often offset size.
 Size and Membership

 The socioeconomic status of members
gives groups the power and influence.
 Those better-off and well-educated
people get more respect.
 Access

 People in the government should be
willing to listen.
 Access

 When a group has established a stable
and receptive relationship with a branch
of government, it is aid to enjoy, in the
words of Yale Professor Joseph
LaPalombara, structured access.
 Access

 But what happens when groups are
shut out and have no access?
 Access

 When the wealthy and powerful have a
great deal of access, the poor and
unorganized may have none.
 The consequences sometimes lead to
violence.
 
INTEREST GROUP
STRATEGIES
 Approaching Lawmakers

 Lobbying receives the most attention.
 It is the attempt to persuade legislators
to support or oppose or to propose a
particular bill
 Approaching the
Administration

 Interest groups concentrate on the
department that specializes their area.
 Approaching the
Administration

 Interest groups employ tactics on
executive departments including
personal contacts, research, and public
relations.
Approaching the Judiciary

 Interest groups may also use the courts.
 Courts can hear cases filed or
supported by interest groups.
 Appeals to the Public

 Interest groups invest in public
relations campaigns to explain how they
contribute to the general welfare and
why their interests are good for the
country.
 Demonstrations

 Interest groups may hold
demonstrations to publicize its cause.
 Violent Protest

 A group that loses faith in conventional
political channels may see violent
protest as its only alternative.
 Does violent protest work?
 
 EVALUATING
INTEREST GROUPS
 An Evaluation

 Interest groups are at the core of every
democracy, but how well do they serve
the needs of citizens?
 An Evaluation

 The mere fact that interest groups
articulate demands does not mean the
demands will be heeded.
 An Evaluation

 Resources are highly unequal among
interest groups.
 Some are rich and powerful and have a
lot of influence. Others are ignored.
 An Evaluation

 What about individuals who are not
organized into groups?
 Who speaks for them?
 An Evaluation

 French political philosopher Jean
Jacques Rousseau believed that a just
society would have general will (what
whole community wants) of all
individuals and interest groups
(particular will).
 An Evaluation

 Do interest groups really speak for all
their members?
 An Evaluation

 Do not confuse the statements of
interest groups with the views of all
they claim to reprsent.