Interest Groups and Lobbying Strategies in U.S. Politics

Interest group

Any organization that actively seeks to influence public policy.

Ways that interest groups influence policy process

Outside pressure on congressmen, protests, media campaigns, public opinion, voters.

Rational behavior

People act in ways that benefit themselves.

Collective action problem

When a group works for a shared benefit, people may not want to contribute because they can still benefit without helping.

Free rider problem

A free rider is someone who enjoys the benefit without paying or helping.

Tragedy of the commons

It happens when shared resources are overused because individuals act in their own interest.

Stag hunt

This is about trust and cooperation, showing that people may avoid cooperation if they don't trust others to participate.

Public good

Goods that belong to all; they cannot be granted or withheld on an individual basis.

Examples of public goods

Clean air, civil rights, national defense.

Groups fighting for public goods

Environmental groups, civil rights organizations.

Psychic incentives

People join because it feels morally good.

Private good

Benefits, such as jobs, that are given directly to particular individuals.

Economic groups

Almost always after private goods and want financial benefits.

Economic groups advantages

Economic activity provides the organization with resources necessary for political action.

Economic groups disadvantage

Members may not support the group's political efforts because they didn't join for political reasons.

Business groups

Represented through trade associations and advance broad interests of business.

Labor groups

Seek to promote politics that benefit workers in general and union members in particular.

Farm groups

Agricultural group.

Citizens group

Joined together not by a material incentive but by a purposive incentive.

Citizens groups advantages

Members are likely to support leaders' political efforts because they joined to influence policy.

Citizen groups disadvantage

The group has to raise funds, and potential members may choose not to join due to the free-rider problem.

Single issue groups

Organizations that focus on one main political or social issue.

Examples of single issue groups

Gun rights group, environmental group, animal rights group.

Non-economic groups

Almost always concerned with public goods and appeal to psychic incentives.

Lobbying

Efforts by groups to influence public policy through contact with public officials.

Inside lobbying

Based on group efforts to develop and maintain close contacts with policymakers.

Modern lobbying

Focuses on information, evidence, and arguments rather than bribes.

Lobbyists' targets

They usually work with friendly officials rather than opponents.

Revolving door

Movement of people between government jobs and lobbying jobs.

Money in lobbying

Lobbying is expensive, with about 11,500 registered lobbyists.

Lobbying Congress

Helps groups get laws passed in their favor by providing useful information.

Lobbying the Executive Branch

Targets government agencies, especially regulatory agencies.

Agency capture

When agencies favor the industries they regulate instead of the public.

Lobbying the Courts

Groups try to influence judge appointments and court cases.

Iron triangles

Strong, stable relationships between bureaucrats, legislators, and interest groups.

Issue networks

Loose, temporary groups formed to deal with specific policy problems.

Outside lobbying

Public pressure on policymakers to show support for a group.

Grassroots lobbying

Uses ordinary people to influence policymakers through various tactics.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

Supreme Court ruling that corporations and unions have free speech rights.

Super PACs

Independent-expenditure-only committees that can raise and spend unlimited money.

Pluralism

Many groups compete to influence government, representing diverse interests.

Interest-Group Liberalism

Government often supports groups instead of the public interest.

Economic bias

Wealthy groups have more power in lobbying due to resources and organization.

James Madison's dilemma

Freedom to form groups can lead to excessive power for some groups.

Checks and balances

Madison's system can help small groups gain power through multiple access points.

PACs

Political Action Committees that raise money to support candidates.

Bundling

Collecting small donations to create a large donation for political influence.

Loopholes in influence

Legal ways to gain influence, such as fundraisers and personal friendships.

Shadow lobbying

Influencing government without officially being a lobbyist.

Federal Advisory Committees

Groups that advise government agencies, influencing decisions indirectly.