Order 1294302: Political Science

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Interest Group

Chapter 10

Dr. Kula A. Francis

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What is an Interest Group?

  • People trying to cover just about any collection of people trying to influence government
  • Not Publicly Accountable Organizations
  • Attempts to promote shared private interests by influencing public-policy outcomes

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Interest Groups and Politics

  • Interest Groups cannot influence a government if there is no government…
  • Bureaucracy has become a BIG interest group…
  • Civil servants do more than implement laws.
  • They have much input in the making and application of laws.
  • The more government, the more interest groups

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Factors Affecting Interest Groups

  • All important to an effective interest group
  • Money
  • Intensity of the issues involved
  • Size and Membership
  • Access

Effective Interest Groups

  • MONEY – Single most important factor in interest group success…
  • Can lead to corruption “a step away from influence buying”…

  • Especially important for elections, and groups help candidate who favor their cause…
  • “Best Congress Money Can Buy”!
  • “Money is the mother’s milk of politics”

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The Rise in Single Issue Groups

  • The second greatest factor in the influence of interest groups is the intensity of the issue involved…
  • The right ISSUE can mobilize millions
  • Organized groups on Social Security, medical insurance, education, unemployment, etc.
  • Abortion (1973 – Supreme Court ruling “could not restrict a woman’s right to an abortion”
  • Religious groups – called it murder
  • Pro-life – would like to amend the Constitution to outlaw it.
  • Pro-choice – (linked to the women’s movement) – a matter for the individual woman to decide.

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Size and Membership

  • The biggest and fastest growing U.S. interest group is AARP…
  • AARP – formally known as American Association of Retired Persons

  • 40 Million members
  • “When AARP speaks, Congress Trembles”

  • AIPAC – American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (well funded)

  • NRA – National Riffle Association – “America’s defendant of the 2nd amendment.

  • Groups such as NAACP…
  • Represent large groups, small membership

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Access, Effective Interest Groups

  • Although money, issue and size are important… an interest group must have access to government …

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How Does it Happen?

  • Approach Lawmakers (Lobby)
  • Approach the Administration (president, governor, etc.)
  • Approach the Judiciary (Judges have power.. Hear cases)
  • Appeals to the Public – use the media and public to gain additional constituents
  • Violent Protest – As seen in Riots, as well as Abortion clinics.

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