Interest Groups and Media

Lobby / Lobbyist

Individuals or organizations who try to influence government decisions, especially legislation. They meet with lawmakers, draft bills, and provide research or campaign support.

Pluralist Theory

Suggests that power is distributed among many groups that compete to influence policy, leading to compromise and balance.

Elitist Theory

Argues that a small number of wealthy, powerful groups dominate politics and policymaking.

Hyperpluralist Theory

Claims that too many groups create gridlock, making it hard for the government to act effectively.

Participatory Democracy

Emphasizes broad citizen involvement in policymaking through activism, voting, and community organizing.

Public-Interest Lobby

Advocates for policies that benefit society as a whole rather than specific groups (e.g., Common Cause).

Free Rider Problem

When people benefit from a group's efforts without joining or contributing (common in large groups like environmental ones).

Iron Triangles

The stable, mutually beneficial relationship between Congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups.

Issue Networks

More fluid alliances of interest groups, experts, and media that unite temporarily around specific policy issues.

Revolving Door

Movement of individuals between government jobs and lobbying or industry positions, raising concerns about bias and corruption.

Astroturf Lobbying

Fake grassroots efforts funded by corporations or elites to create the illusion of public support.

Grasstops Lobbying

Using influential community leaders or celebrities to sway policymakers.

Super PACs

Independent committees that can raise and spend unlimited money to advocate for or against political candidates, as long as they don't coordinate directly with campaigns.

Bundling

Combining many individual political donations into one large contribution to gain more influence.

Amicus Curiae Briefs

"Friend of the court" briefs submitted by interest groups in court cases to present additional arguments or data.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

The Court (5-4) ruled that restricting independent political expenditures by corporations and unions violates the First Amendment's free speech clause.

Ethics in Government Act (1978)

Required public disclosure of financial and employment history of public officials and created the Office of Government Ethics.

Lobbying Disclosure Act (1995)

Required lobbyists to register and report their clients, issues, and expenditures.

Lobbying and Ethics Reform Act (2007)

Strengthened disclosure rules and slowed the revolving door by extending waiting periods before former officials could lobby.

Impact of Lobbying and Ethics Reform Act

Tightened regulations after the Jack Abramoff scandal but enforcement is still limited.

Types of Interest Groups

Economic (AFL-CIO, NAM, AMA), Ideological (ACLU, FRC, NRA), Public interest (Common Cause, Sierra Club), Governmental (National Governors Association).

Tools of Influence

Direct lobbying, Grassroots/grasstops lobbying, Campaign donations / PACs, Litigation (filing suits or amicus briefs), Media campaigns.

Success Factors for Interest Groups

Money, size, unity, and access to policymakers.

Interest Groups as Linkage Institutions

They connect citizens to government by expressing policy preferences and mobilizing voters.

Muckraker

Investigative journalists exposing corruption or abuse (e.g., Upton Sinclair, Ida Tarbell).

Yellow Journalism

Sensationalized, exaggerated news to attract readers (19th century origin).

Investigative Reporting

Deep reporting uncovering scandals or corruption (e.g., Watergate).

"On (deep) background"

Information from an anonymous source that can't be directly attributed.

Horse-Race Journalism

Focuses on polling and competition rather than issues or policies.

Watchdog Role

Media's duty to monitor government actions and expose wrongdoing.

Gatekeeper Role

Media decides which issues get attention and shape the public agenda.

Scorekeeper Role

Tracks political success and failure, shaping public perception of leaders.

Narrowcasting

Media targeting specific audiences (e.g., Fox News, MSNBC).

Confirmation Bias

People seek media that reinforces their beliefs, increasing polarization.

Prior Restraint

Government censorship of material before publication.

New York Times v. Sullivan (1964)

Public officials must prove 'actual malice' (knowing falsehood or reckless disregard for truth) to win a libel case.

Impact of New York Times v. Sullivan

Strengthened freedom of the press, especially for investigative reporting.

New York Times v. United States (1971)

The Court ruled prior restraint was unconstitutional unless publication posed a direct, immediate threat to national security.

Impact of New York Times v. United States

Reinforced limits on government censorship and upheld press freedom.

Media as a Linkage Institution

Connects the public to government through coverage, agenda setting, and framing issues.

Trends in Media

Shift from network TV to online/social media, Increased partisanship and misinformation, Consumer-driven and fragmented news sources.

Government and Media

Politicians use social media for direct communication and image control, reducing dependence on traditional press.