Chapter 10: Interest Groups Flashcards
(99 cards)
1
Q
Interest group
A
organization of people who share common interests and seek to influence government policy by electioneering and lobbying
2
Q
Lobbying
A
efforts to influence public policy through contact with public officials on behalf of an interest group
3
Q
Linkage institution
A
institutions such as political parties, interest groups, the media, and elections that facilitate communication between citizens and policymakers
4
Q
How do pluralists see interest groups?
A
as important and appropriate participants in the democratic process
5
Q
Interest group state
A
a government in which most policy decisions are determined by the influence of interest groups
6
Q
True or false: interest groups’ influence is contextual and depends on a number of factors, but their importance in the political system is clear
A
True
7
Q
2 broad types of interest groups
A
institutional interest groups, membership interest groups
8
Q
Institutional interest groups
A
formed by nonprofits such as universities, think tanks, or museums
membership because you belong to a particular institution, such as UF
9
Q
Membership interest groups
A
groups you choose to join
ex. NRA, Green Peace, AARP
10
Q
Businesses
A
for-profit enterprises that aim to influence policy in ways that benefit them
ex. Google, ExxonMobil
11
Q
Trade or peak associations
A
groups of businesses (often in the same industry) that band together to lobby for policies that benefit all of them
12
Q
Professional associations
A
represent individuals who have a common interest in a profession
ex. American Medical Association
13
Q
Labor organizations
A
lobby for regulations that make it easy for workers to form labor unions, as well as other policies
14
Q
Citizen groups
A
range from those with mass membership (such as the Sierra Club) to those that have no members but claim to speak for particular segments of the population
15
Q
Interest group lobbying is regulated. How so?
A
must report their client, how much each client paid, and the issues the firms lobbied on
16
Q
Why are there so many interest groups and registered lobbyists, and why are their numbers increasing?
A
federal government does so many things and spends so much money that there are strong incentives for lobbying
17
Q
True or false: interest groups are more likely to form around issues that have high levels of government involvement or when new programs or changes in government policy are likely
A
True
18
Q
What do lobbying expenditures pay for?
A
many things
salaries to hire top-level lobbyists like former Congressmen (largest expense), publicity, outreach, generating grassroots support
19
Q
What type of group lobbies the most? The least?
A
most: business sector (health, finance, miscellaneous business, communication, energy/natural resources, transportation)
relatively little: political or public interests
20
Q
Do interest groups really spend that much on lobbying?
A
nah. besides a few big spenders, most interest groups spend relatively little on lobbying
although the amount of $$ spent on it may seem like a lot, it’s small compared with how much is at stake
21
Q
Two main models of interest group structure
A
centralized groups, confederation
22
Q
Centralized groups
A
interest groups that have a headquarters, usually in Washington, D.C., as well as members and field offices throughout the country. in general, these groups’ lobbying decisions are made at headquarters by the group leaders
ex. AARP, NRA
23
Q
Confederation
A
interest groups made up of several independent, local organizations that provide much of their funding and hold most of the power
ex. NIADA
24
Q
Advantage and disadvantage of centralized groups
A
advantage: controls the group’s resources and can deploy them efficiently
disadvantage: can be challenging for these groups to find out what their members want
25
Advantage and disadvantage of confederations
advantage: independent state/local chapters makes it easy for national headquarters to learn what the members want
disadvantage: can have conflict within group
ex. state/local chapters mostly function independently of national headquarters but nat hq depends on them. also local chapters may disagree over what to lobby for
26
Cooling off rules
prevent govt officials from lobbying for 1 year after leaving their government job
27
Arguments to keep lobbying restrictions, and maybe tighten them
-small gifts to legislators create an advantage for interest groups that have a Washington office or hire lobbyists
-even if a fancy lunch doesn't buy a legislator's vote, it helps with access (chance for group to make its arguments and perhaps change some minds)
28
Arguments to relax lobbying restrictions (a little)
-interest group influence is overstated. legislators will support a group’s proposals only if they help the member’s constituents or if they move policy in a way the member favors, not just because of an interest group’s free lunch
-tight restrictions on lobbyists' gifts create a lot of paperwork for legislators and their staff. so much time and effort for something that likely won't affect policy in the first place
29
Arguments to relax some lobbying rules but strengthen others
getting rid of the cooling off periods but having better disclosure of who is lobbying will allow constituents to hold legislators accountable
30
Are some organizations are hard to categorize (as centralized group or confederation)?
Yes
ex. BLM
31
Two categories of interest group staff
1. experts on the group's main policy areas
ex. scientists, engineers
2. people with useful government connections and knowledge of procedures
ex. elected officials, bureaucrats, legislative staff
32
Revolving door
the practice of government employees becoming lobbyists after leaving their public positions
33
Iron triangle (or "issue networks" as a broader term)
informal alliance of elected officials, bureaucrats, and interest groups designed to let them dominate the policy-making process in a given area
34
How does the revolving door help iron triangles form?
people in different organizations are likely to know each other because of their prior service
35
Mass associations
interest groups that have a large number of dues-paying individuals as members. tend to be citizens' groups and labor organizations
ex. the Sierra Club
36
Do all mass associations give members a say in selecting their leaders or determining their mission?
nope
ex. AARP doesn't poll members to determine its issue positions, nor do members elect AARP leadership
37
Difference between mass associations and peak associations
member of peak associations are businesses, NOT people
38
Interest groups use what 3 key resources to support their lobbying efforts?
1. people
-however, group must have members in the first place, and recruiting new members can be difficult and expensive
2. money
-well-funded groups have considerable advantage in lobbying, but spending more money is no guarantee of successful efforts
3. expertise
-increases merit of group's demands and policy solutions. still, individual lobbyists have varying knowledge of congressional preferences, persuasion tactics, etc.
39
True or false: interest groups face collective action problems
TRUE
cooperation is neither easy nor automatic. many people would see their contribution as minuscule if they joined the group, so they free ride instead
40
Interest groups solve collection action problems in what 3 ways?
1. like some labor unions, they force people to join
2. they are small enough so that every member’s voice matters and free rider problems are lessened
3. they encourage a larger, engaged membership by offering incentives for people to join and participate
41
Selective incentives
benefits that can motivate participation in a group effort because they're only available to those who participate
ex. member services offered by interest groups
42
3 categories of selective incentives
benefits from participation, coercion, and material goods
43
Solidary benefits
satisfaction from working with like-minded people, even if the group’s efforts don't achieve the desired impact
44
Purposive benefits
satisfaction from working toward a desired policy goal, even if the goal is not achieved
45
What happens when solidary or purposive benefits aren't enough to solve the free rider problem?
groups may require participation through coercion
ex. union members must pay dues
46
Coercion
a method of eliminating free riding by group members by requiring participation, as in many labor unions
47
Material benefits
benefits given only to members of an interest group
ex. T-shirt or coffee mug
48
2 types of lobbying tactics
1. inside strategies
-actions taken inside government (whether federal, state, or local)
2. outside strategies (or "indirect strategies")
-actions taken outside government
49
Types of inside strategies
-direct lobbying
-drafting legislation and regulations
-providing research
-hearings (interest group staff testify before congressional committees)
-litigation (taking the government to court)
-interest groups working together in their lobbying efforts
50
Direct lobbying
attempts by interest group staff to influence policy by speaking with government officials
very common; aimed at elected officials and bureaucrats who support the group's goals, not oppose them
51
Fence-sitters
officials who neither support nor oppose a specific interest group. contacted by group with goal of converting them into supporters
52
What is one reason that lobbyists are successful at getting their "model legislation" passed?
they give legislation proposals to legislators who already support their cause and who have significant power within in Congress (and state legislatures)
53
Why do interest groups prepare research reports?
to sway public opinion, help persuade elected officials or bureaucrats, or directly influence the industry that is the subject of the report. also helps the group claim expertise
54
Why do interest groups often testify before congressional committees?
partially to inform Congress members about issues that matter to the interest group
55
Interest groups work together due to the power of large numbers. What's one problem with working together?
groups may agree on general goals but disagree on specifics, thereby requiring negotiation (which may not always be achieved)
56
Types of outside strategies
-grassroots lobbying
-Astroturf lobbying
-mobilizing public opinion (contacting members and potential supporters)
-electioneering
-cultivating media contacts (like talking to journalists for favorable media coverage)
-bypassing government: initiative or referendum
57
Grassroots lobbying
a lobbying strategy that relies on participation by interest group members, such as a protest or a letter-writing campaign
58
Why are grassroots strategies useful?
elected officials are reluctant to act against a large group of citizens who care enough about an issue to express their position
59
What is needed for grassroots lobbying to be effective?
-a large number of members
-efforts must come from a Congress member's own constituents
-perceptions of how much a group has done to motivate participation
60
Astroturf lobbying
any lobbying method initiated by an interest group that is designed to look like the spontaneous, independent participation of many individuals
61
Is Astroturf lobbying effective?
representative may discount the effort if it is found to be Astroturf lobbying. still, they're sometimes reluctant to completely dismiss it since so many people participated (even with facilitation by an interest group)
62
How have Astroturf efforts recently evolved into a practice that is *truly* fake grassroots?
organizations that claim to represent grassroots entities but in reality advocate for big industry
ex. Connected Commerce Council (3C)
63
Electioneering
trying to influence people to vote for a particular candidate or party
64
How do interest groups carry out electioneering?
-making contributions to candidates
-mobilizing people (including their own staff) to help in a campaign
-endorsing candidates
-funding campaign ads
-mobilizing a candidate’s or party’s supporters
65
Political action committee (PAC)
an interest group or a division of an interest group that can raise money to contribute to campaigns or to spend on ads in support of candidates. the amount a PAC can receive from each of its donors and the amount it can spend on federal electioneering are strictly limited
66
527 organization
a tax-exempt group formed primarily to influence elections through voter mobilization efforts and issue ads that do not directly endorse or oppose a candidate. unlike PACs, 527s are not subject to contribution limits and spending caps
67
Why do groups that actively want to engage in lobbying or electioneering operate as a PAC or 527 organization instead of a 501(c)(3)?
although donations to those groups are not tax deductible like they are for 501(c)(3) orgs, they have fewer restrictions on the size of contributions they can make and how their money is spent
ex. 527 orgs have no contribution or spending limits
68
What two new options for electioneering by interest groups emerged in recent elections?
super PACs and 501(c)(4) organizations
69
Super PAC
consequence of *Citizens United* Supreme Court decision
"Super" label reflects the fact that these groups take in and spend much more money than the typical PAC
can accept unlimited contributions and spend an unlimited amount supporting or opposing federal election candidates. BUT they cannot directly donate to federal candidates or parties (normal PACs can)
Tl;DR unlimited spending, cannot donate
70
527 org vs Super PAC
527 orgs cannot *explicitly* advocate for or against a federal candidate. Super PACS can
neither can directly contribute to or coordinate with federal candidates, BUT both can spend unlimited $$
71
501(c)(4) organization
can engage in limited political activity, but politics cannot comprise the group's primary activity
72
Advantages and disadvantages of 501(c)(3) organizations
advantages: contributions tax deductible
disadvantages: cannot advocate for or against political candidates; lobbying must not constitute more than 20% of group’s total expenditures (but voter education and mobilization are permitted)
73
Advantages and disadvantages of 527 organizations
advantages: can spend unlimited amounts on issue advocacy and voter mobilization
disadvantages: cannot make contributions to candidates or coordinate efforts with candidates or parties
74
Advantages and disadvantages of 501(c)(4) organizations
advantages: can spend unlimited amounts on electioneering; does not have to disclose contributors
disadvantages: at least half of its activities must be nonpolitical; cannot coordinate efforts with candidates or parties
75
Advantages and disadvantages of PACs
advantages: can contribute directly to candidates and parties
disadvantages: strict limits on direct contributions
76
Advantages and disadvantages of Super PACs
advantages: can spend unlimited amounts on electioneering; can support or oppose specific candidates
disadvantages: cannot make contributions to candidates or coordinate efforts with candidates or parties
77
Can spending totals by interest groups be deceptive?
YES. while the amount spent may be high, it must be taken into context, like how many candidates the money went to, if spending even went to federal candidates (could be for issue ads), or if most of it was funded by a single wealthy donor
78
Referendum
a direct vote by citizens on a policy change proposed by a legislature or another government body. referenda are common in state and local elections, but there is no mechanism for a national-level referendum
79
Initiative
citizens put questions on the ballot, typically after gathering signatures of registered voters on a petition, and public votes on it in a general election. only occur in states or municipalities that have appropriate procedures in place
80
Are initiatives allowed in all states?
NO; only some states allow them, and some permit this kind of vote only on a narrow range of issues
81
What is one principal concern about the initiative process?
it favors well-funded groups that can better advertise and mobilize their supporters to vote on Election Day. still, heavy spending often isn't enough
82
How will a group decide whether to use inside or outside strategies?
partly on its resources and partly on what approach it believes will be most effective in promoting its particular issues
83
What does "the solution to lobbying is more lobbying" mean?
a group’s chances of getting what it wants depend on whether there is organized opposition to their demand
84
What are 4 reasons why it is so hard to measure interest group influence?
1. interest groups may not always get what they want from Congress, particularly when their efforts are opposed by citizen groups or government officials
2. some complaints about the power of interest groups come from the losing side in the political process
3. many interest groups claim responsibility for policies and election outcomes regardless of whether their lobbying made the difference
4. arguments about the impact of interest groups on election outcomes ignore the fact that interest groups are almost always active on both sides of an election campaign
85
What are 3 factors that shape interest group influence?
1. **the group's goal** (does it want to change a policy or to prevent change?)
2. **salience** (how many Americans care about what a group is trying to do?)
3. **conflict** (to what extent do other groups or the public oppose the policy change?)
86
Why do groups generally have an easier time preventing a change than working to implement one?
enacting a new policy requires the approval of both houses of Congress, the president’s signature (or a veto override), and implementation from the appropriate bureaucratic agency. each step gives opportunity to lobby officials to do nothing (*negative lobbying*)
87
Why are interest groups more likely to succeed when their request has low salience or attracts little public attention?
when the average voter doesn't know or care about a group’s request, legislators and bureaucrats don't have to worry about the political consequences of giving the group what it wants
88
How common are low-salience issues?
surprisingly common. 5% of issues attracted more than 50% of lobbying activity and 50% of issues attracted less than 3%
89
Sometimes lobbying efforts attract no publicity. Can this be a good thing for the lobbying group?
YES; when few people know or care about a policy change, interest groups are able to dominate the policy-making process
90
Sometimes the public *would* care about an issue, but people don't find out about the issue until it is too late. Then when opponents of the move try to undo it, they fail. What principle does this illustrate?
preventing change is easier than enacting it
91
Interest group influence is much less apparent on conflictual issues—those for which public opinion is split and groups are typically active on both sides of the issue. How come?
stalemate or incremental policy change is the likely outcome.
if policy change occurs at all, it is likely due to a complex process of bargaining and compromise, so it's hard to say if a group won or lost
92
Many worry that well-funded interest groups will use their financial resources to dominate the policy-making process, even if public opinion is against them, but this holds only under certain conditions. What is the more common situation?
more often, the conditions that are ripe for well-funded interest groups to become involved in a policy debate typically ensure that there will be well-funded groups on all sides of a question
ex. gun control debate
under these conditions, no group is likely to get everything it wants and no group's lobbying efforts are likely to be decisive. some groups may not get anything
93
What do most cases of interest group influence look like?
a group asks for something, there is relatively little opposition, and Congress or the bureaucracy responds with appropriate policy changes
94
What are the best conditions for lobbying? The worst?
good: your group is the only one lobbying and there is little public attention
bad: the issue is highly salient and you have opposition (your prospects aren't good, regardless of the size of your bankroll)
95
Pluralist theory
the theory that political power is distributed among a wide array of diverse and competing interest groups
96
Disturbance theory
the theory that interest groups form in part to counteract the efforts of other groups
97
Neopluralism
ideology hat emphasizes free trade, deregulation, globalization, and a reduction in government spending
98
How does (neo)pluralism enhance
democracy?
by ensuring that no single interest becomes dominant
99
Dark money
no idea who funds or how much spent. in nonprofits
