Government 2306

Almighty

gibson_10e_ch13_ppt.pptx

Home >Government homework help >Government 2306

Government and Politics in the Lone Star State

Tenth Edition

Chapter 13

Interest Groups and Political Power in Texas

Learning Objectives

13.1 Differentiate interest groups from other types of organizations and describe the role of interest groups in democracies.

13.2 Apply the pluralist and elitist theories of political behavior to Texas.

13.3 Describe the tactics involved in direct and indirect lobbying.

13.4 Describe the characteristics of interest groups active in Texas.

13.5 Describe sources of interest group power and the contemporary challenges facing interest groups in Texas.

What Are Interest Groups? (1 of 5)

Americans have a long tradition of and belief in collective action.

The U.S. Constitution and the Texas Constitution both provide substantial protections and guarantees to allow citizens to petition their government for change.

Consequently, we have many freedoms not accorded other people around the world.

What Are Interest Groups? (2 of 5)

Roles and Functions of Interest Groups

Interest group: “An organized collection of individuals who are bound together by shared attitudes or concerns and who make demands on political institutions in order to realize goals which they are unable to achieve on their own.”

23,000 associations with national scope; 116,000 more at the local, state, or regional level

Fight over Funding

Antiabortion activists gather on the steps of the state capitol to lobby for the state to cut funding for Planned Parenthood—one of the largest providers of health care for women in the state.

What Are Interest Groups? (3 of 5)

Role in Democracies

Interest groups

Represent members before the government

Operate as vehicles for political participation

Educate the public

Serve as government watchdogs

Protest for Change

Raising awareness through protests is one effective technique that groups can employ to advance their agenda. Pictured here are fast-food workers picketing in Dallas for higher wages. Airport workers, home health workers, Walmart workers, and adjunct professors were those who joined the fight for higher wages. In the absence of such efforts, many groups feel marginalized because their concerns are going unnoticed.

What Are Interest Groups? (4 of 5)

Who Joins Political Groups?

As of 2000–2004, 62 percent of Americans belong to an organization, and 25 percent belong to three or more organizations.

Education, income, and occupation have an impact on who joins groups.

What Are Interest Groups? (5 of 5)

Why Do People Join Interest Groups?

Specific economic benefits

Social-psychological benefits

Sense of purpose and satisfaction

Interest Group Theory (1 of 3)

Pluralism and Democratic Theory

Pluralism characteristics

Groups are the primary political actors.

Politics is organized around group interaction.

Conflict over limited resources

Behavior of groups limited by competition

Public policy is the resolution of conflict.

No group can dominate the process.

Leaders are guided by democratic values.

Interest Group Theory (2 of 3)

The Elitist Alternative

Characteristics

Power is held by a few individuals.

Derived from positions in large social institutions

Linked by networks of interlocking memberships

Elites determine values, interests, and rules of the game.

Policy decisions reflect the interests of dominant institutions.

Elites in Texas

1938–1957 governed by a conservative establishment

Arose as a response to liberal New Deal policies

Interest Group Theory (3 of 3)

Hyperpluralism, Policy Subsystems, and Single-Issue Interest Groups

Hyperpluralism occurs when government responds to as many groups as possible.

Policy subsystems represent interaction among interest groups, administrative agencies, and legislative committees.

Single-issue groups refuse to compromise, block policy changes, and cause policy gridlock.

Texans Go to Washington

The Texas abortion debate turned to the national stage when the Supreme Court heard oral arguments over HB2 (in the case Whole Women’s Health v. John Hellerstedt). Pictured here are protesters from both sides of the issue on March 2, 2016. The case involved a challenge to the provision in the bill signed into law by then-Governor Rick Perry on July 18, 2013, that would have severely restricted access to legal abortion in the state. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled the law to be unconstitutional on June 27, 2016.

Journal 13.2

On the whole, do you think the positive elements of interest groups outweigh the negative? While deciding on your overall stance, reflect on both positive and negative influences you have seen nationally, in Texas, and in your local community.

Interest Groups and the Policymaking Process (1 of 5)

Direct Lobbying

Communicates information and policy preferences to policymakers directly

Drafting legislation

Planning and implementing a legislative strategy

Personal contacts and communications

Testifying at hearings

Interest Groups and the Policymaking Process (2 of 5)

Direct Lobbying

Public opinion of lobbying

Texans, along with other Americans, believe that a few big interests looking out for themselves dominate government.

According to Pew Research, in 2015 only 19 percent of Americans expressed trust in the federal government in Washington, D.C.

Texans tend to have more trust in their state and local governments than in their federal government, but there is still some distrust.

Figure 13-1 Lobby Contracts in Texas, 2004–2013 Legislative Sessions

SOURCE: Texans for Public Justices, “Austin’s Oldest Profession: Texas’ Top Lobby Clients & Those Who Service Them,” June 10, 2013.

With the expansion of the state’s economy and the greater diversity of groups, organizations, and corporate interests in the state, there is an ever-increasing number of lobbyists working to advance the interests of their clients before the legislature and state agencies.

Interest Groups and the Policymaking Process (3 of 5)

Indirect Lobbying

Electoral activities

Secure election of accessible public officials

Campaign contributions

Organizational support

Public endorsements

Interest Groups and the Policymaking Process (4 of 5)

Indirect Lobbying

Public opinion

Shapes public opinion

Attempts to mold, shape, and mobilize public opinion on issues of concern to the group

Interest Groups and the Policymaking Process (5 of 5)

Indirect Lobbying

Protests and marches

Bring issues to the attention of the public and elected officials

Attempt to dramatize issues and provoke sympathy for a group’s position

Dominant Interest Groups in Texas (1 of 4)

Business

Associations, broad based and/or trade

Individual companies and their lobbyists

Coalitions formed around a single issue

Professional Groups

Texas Medical Association

Labor

Communications Workers of America

Texas Federation of Teachers

United Auto Workers

Dominant Interest Groups in Texas (2 of 4)

Public Interest Groups

Represent consumer and environmental interests

Promote better ethical standards in government

Education

Colleges and universities and associations representing teachers, administrators, and school districts

Minorities

MALDEF

LULAC

NAACP

LULAC Speaks Up

LULAC provides a voice for many Latin Americans across Texas.

Dominant Interest Groups in Texas (3 of 4)

Agricultural Groups

Texas Farm Bureau

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Religious Groups

Religious Right combined anticommunism, antilabor, antiliberal, and anti–civil rights

Forerunners of today’s Christian Right within the Republican Party

Dominant Interest Groups in Texas (4 of 4)

Local Governments

Texas Municipal League

Texas Association of Counties

Resources and Power of Interest Groups (1 of 3)

Not all interests are equally represented.

Not all have the power to exert influence in politics.

Some have significant resources and greater political power.

Some are too powerful—Americans see those as being too influential in terms of policymaking.

Resources and Power of Interest Groups (2 of 3)

Seven Key Factors Impact the Political Power and Influence of Interest Groups:

Size

Cohesiveness

Level of mobilization

Geographic distribution

Financial resources

Reputation and accuracy of information

Leadership and staff

Resources and Power of Interest Groups (3 of 3)

Who Are the Lobbyists?

Characteristics of lobbyists

Represent a diversity of interests

May be paid or volunteer

Must register with the Texas Ethics Commission

Include more men than women

Have an understanding of the policy process and points of access within it

Shared Writing 13.5

Consider the discussion “Abbott OKs Venue for Political Corruption Cases.” The new law would change the venue for political corruption cases from the location where the alleged crime was committed (typically Austin) to the county of the defendant’s permanent residence. Do you think this change is wise? Will it reduce politically motivated prosecutions or increase them? Should elites be treated differently from the rest of the state residents?

Photo Credits

Page 382: Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images North America/Getty Images; 385: Eric Gay/AP Images; 386: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle/AP Images; 392: Susan Walsh/AP Images; 393: © The Texas Tribune; 398: Jon Shapley/Houston Chronicle/AP Images; 402: Andrew Harnik/AP Images; 405: Amber Novak/EPA/Newscom; 406: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division [LC-USZ62-123271]