Linkage Institute

Political Parties, Media, and Interest Groups

Law of Large Groups = Free Rider Problem

the larger the group is the more ineffective they become

Direct Lobbying

professional lobbyist subject to government regulation

Grassroot Lobbying

from the ground up - when the public uses their own voice to share their opinions with the gov’t

Electioneering

aiding candidates financially and getting their members to support them

Litigation

Amicus Curiae (friends of the court) Briefs

groups that are not part of a lawsuit that try to sway the SCOTUS

Class Action Lawsuit

someone suing on behalf of a large group of people - like Heinsohn’s headphone story

Revolving Door Problem

a situation in which personnel move between roles as legislators and regulators, on one hand, and members of the industries affected by the legislation and regulation, on the other, analogous to the movement of people in a physical revolving door.

Difference between interest groups vs. parties

interest groups are very specific/are focused on a specific topic while parties are more general and focus on a wider range of topics.

electorate in parties

the people that make up the political parties

electorate in gov’t

the politicians that are in the government

What prevents third party candidates from winning?

the winner takes all rules that 51% of votes gets the party ALL the electoral votes, therefore loser (minor party) gets nothing//wasted voter syndrome//50 different states with 50 different ballot laws

Freedom of Information Act

allows access to most government records

FCC

regulated the telecommunications

elitist

argues that a few group (mostly the wealthy) have most the power

pluralist

argues that interest group activity brings representation to all as groups complete and counterbalance one another

hyperpluralist

asserts that too many groups are getting too much of what they want, resulting in a government policy that is often contradictory and lacking direction.

watchdog role

expose government abuse of power or corruption (investigative journalism)

lapdog role

used by the government and parties to divide the American public or offer bias reporting to push an ideological agenda

three-headed political giant

1- party in the electorate

2- party as an organization

3- party in government