POLS- Unit 5: Political Actors

Interest Groups

Groups that use persuasion to influence public perspectives and meet their personal needs.

Benefits of Joining Interest Groups

Money, community, social participation, and advocating for a moral purpose.

Special Interest Groups

Aim to influence policy makers to pass laws that benefit the group's interests.

Public Interest Groups

Advocate for collective good and public identity.

Single Issue Groups

Members advocate for a specific issue.

Multiple Issue Groups

Involved in multiple issues or objectives.

Amorphous Groups

Do not consider themselves political.

Spontaneous Groups

Use unconventional methods to achieve goals (e.g., violence, protests).

Non-associational Groups

Characterized by episodic, infrequent, and non-committal participation.

Institutional Groups

Government entities that lobby for financial aid.

Associational Groups

Represent constituencies such as trade unions.

Ad Hoc Coalitions

Temporary groups with a common goal.

Social Movements

Advocacy movements aiming for social change.

Lobbying

Attempting to influence government officials to serve a group's interests.

Campaign Contributions

Political financing of campaigns with the expectation of support.

Feudalism to Individualism

Shift from pre-arranged labor systems to voluntary associations.

James Madison’s Perspective on Factions

Opposed factions but suggested competing factions to prevent domination.

Alexis de Tocqueville

Noted Americans' tendency to form associations enhancing democratic behavior.

Purpose of Interest Groups

Seek to influence government policies to support personal interests.

Democracy

Governments designed to listen to public input attract organized groups.

Diversity

Existence of differing beliefs, needs, and interests creates factions.

Division of Power

Separation of powers provides multiple access points for lobbying.

Material Benefits

Discounts, insurance, or financial perks for members.

Personal Satisfaction

Volunteering for charitable causes or supporting causes.

Employment Opportunities

Paid roles with lucrative salaries within interest groups.

Political or Economic Gain

Advocating for policies that benefit businesses and individuals.

Ideological Influence

Aligning with groups that push for preferred societal policies.

Organizational Structure

Includes leadership, membership, and funding sources.

Free Riding

Members benefit without personal participation, complicating funding.

Selective Incentives

Material perks, social rewards, and altruistic appeals offered by groups.

Myth vs Reality of Interest Groups

Often benefit the wealthy elite while supporting corporations.

Iron Law of Oligarchy

All organizations concentrate power in a few hands over time.

Corporate Dominance

Business interests outspend public interest groups in lobbying.

Exploitation of the Middle Class

Wealth transfer to political operatives from lower-income donors.

Relentless Solicitation

Aggressive pursuit of donations from individuals by charities.

Exploiting Public Trust

Donors contribute impulsively, often to illegitimate causes.

Secrecy in Nonprofits

Lack of transparency in financial dealings and decision-making.

Legal Barriers for Transparency

State laws may reinforce secrecy within nonprofit operations.

Iron Triangle

Policy-making model involving Congressional Committees, Executive Agencies, and Interest Groups.

Protests and Rallies

Public demonstrations aimed at influencing government decisions.

Litigation

Engaging with the judiciary to advance policies through lawsuits.

Grassroot Movements

Spontaneous public actions like protests and letter-writing.

Astroturfing

Manufacturing artificial grassroots support for lobbying efforts.

Campaign Contributions and PACs

Political financing methods influenced by laws like the Tillman Act.

Super PACs

Independent committees that can raise and expend unlimited funds.

527 Groups

Tax-exempt organizations influencing elections without direct endorsements.