10 Interest Groups and Lobbying

Association

Groups of companies or institutions that organize around a common set of concerns, often within a given industry or trade.

Astroturf movement

A political movement that resembles a grassroots movement but is often supported or facilitated by wealthy interests and/or elites.

Citizens United

A 2010 Supreme Court case that granted corporations and unions the right to spend unlimited amounts of money on elections.

Collective good

A good such as public safety or clean air, often produced by government, that is generally available to the population as a whole.

Contract lobbyist

A lobbyist who works for a contract lobbying firm that represents clients before government.

Disturbance theory

The theory that an external event can lead to interest group mobilization.

Efficacy

The belief that you make a difference and that government cares about you and your views.

Elite critique

The proposition that wealthy and elite interests are advantaged over those without resources.

Fragmentation

The result when a large interest group develops diverging needs.

Free rider problem

The situation that occurs when some individuals receive benefits without helping to bear the cost.

Grassroots movement

A political movement that often begins from the bottom up, inspired by average citizens concerned about a given issue.

In-house lobbyist

An employee or executive within an organization who works as a lobbyist on behalf of the organization.

Inside lobbying

The act of contacting and taking the organization’s message directly to lawmakers in an attempt to influence policy.

Iron triangle

Three-way relationship among congressional committees, interest groups, and the bureaucracy.

Issue network

A group of interest groups and people who work together to support a particular issue or policy.

Legislative liaison

A person employed by a governmental entity to represent the organization before the legislature.

Lobbyist

A person who represents an organization before government in an attempt to influence policy.

Material incentives

Substantive monetary or physical benefits given to group members to help overcome collective action problems.

Membership organization

An interest group that usually consists of dues-paying members who organize around a particular cause or issue.

Neopluralist

A person who suggests that all groups’ access and influence depend on the political environment.

Outside lobbying

The act of lobbying indirectly by taking the organization’s message to the public, often through media and issue press releases.

Particularized benefit

A benefit that generally accrues to a narrow segment of society.

Pluralist

A person who believes many groups healthily compete for access to decision-makers.

Public interest group

An interest group that seeks a public good, which is something that accrues to all.

Purposive incentives

Benefits to overcome collective action problems that appeal to people��s support of the issue or cause.

Revolving door laws

Laws that require a cooling-off period before government officials can register to lobby after leaving office.

Soft money

Money that interests can spend on behalf of candidates without being restricted by federal law.

Solidary incentives

Benefits based on the concept that people like to associate with those who are similar to them.

Voting cues

Sources that lawmakers often use to help them decide how to vote, especially on unfamiliar issues.