Ch 3: Interest Groups and the Media in California

pluralist theory for interest groups

joining together to bargain and negotiate —> success, multitude of interests competing allows for power to be dispersed

elitist theory applied to interest groups

multiple interest groups but w/ minimal power, policy being determined by small group that is not properly representative

how many interest groups are in CA

4,200

how much do interest groups spend on lobbying

$755 million

why have interest groups proliferated

weak political parties, growth of government, term limits, greater number of public interest groups

weak political parties role in proliferating interest groups

interest groups target candidates —> may deviate from party platform, group influence strengthened b/c candidates go where the $$ is for reelection

growth of govt's role in proliferating interest groups

govt viewed as a tool to solve problems rather than as untrustworthy —> increase in lobbying state legislature by local govts

terms limits role in proliferating interest groups

legislators leave office + lack of institutional memory —> interest groups able to gain more influence (relied on for information)

four types of interest groups

trade associations, unions, people-specific, public interest groups

trade associations

businesses voicing concerns within industry, large —> member advantages (sharing costs, anonymity)

unions

workers rights, ex: california teachers association, california medical association

people-specific

for a specialized type of person, ex: League of United Latin American Citizens, American Association of Retired Persons

public-interest groups

appeal to the masses, ex: clean air, consumer protections

top lobbyist employees

Western States Petroleum Association, Chevron Corporation, California Teachers Association

Top lobbying catergories and spending

misc, gov’t, health

three types of lobbyists

citizen, contract, in-house

citizen lobbyists

interest in an issue and want to make their view known to their public official, not paid, interact w/ representatives through things like speaking at council meeting

contract (professional) lobbyists

paid, registered w/ secretary of state, submit disclosure reports, 50% of professional lobbyists, represents multiple clients at the same time

in-house (professional) lobbyists

paid, registered w/ secretary of state, submit disclosure reports, employee of a trade, professional, or labor association, only rep one group’s interests

sequence of activities for lobbyists to accomplish their goals

know the interest group’s objective, identify organizations that could support or oppose their goals, collaborate w/ grassroots networks if needed, establish relationship with a legislator (ex: working on election campaigns, commending officials)

process of lobbying legislature

knowing group obj (new legislation, amending a law, prevent the passing of a law?), assess legislators w/ similar interest, establish relationship

process of lobbying executive

mostly similar to legislature, more difficult to coordinate b/c of 7 statewide offices, develop expertise on several different agencies

correlation between lobbying and campaign contributions

interest groups that invest heavily in lobbying also invest heavily in political campaigns, way to leverage influence (ex: California Correctional Peace Officers Association)

California Correctional Peace Officers Association lobbying strategies

aggressive, large campaign contributions, skillful marketing, donating to both main parties to gain benefits like pay increases and approved legislation

efforts to regulate lobbying

Political Reform Act of 1974— disclosure of lobbying financial activity, can’t give gifts valuing over $10 per month, can’t contribute to state officials if registered to lobby that candidate (prop 34)