Interest Groups

Interest Group

An organization of people with shared goals that seeks to influence public policy without running for office. Example: NRA, ACLU, Sierra Club.

Factions

Factions (interest groups) naturally emerge in a pluralist democracy and are essential for representing diverse interests. Example: Unions forming in response to poor labor conditions.

Framing

The way groups shape how an issue is perceived to influence public or political opinion. Example: "Pro-life" vs. "pro-choice" in abortion debates.

Pluralism

The idea that democracy is healthiest when many competing groups vie for influence, ensuring balance. Example: Competing corporate and environmental lobbyists on climate policy.

Second Face of Power

The ability to prevent certain issues from being discussed—agenda-setting power. Example: Corporations influencing what policies are never proposed.

Bias in the Interest Group System

The system favors wealthy and well-connected groups, marginalizing others. Example: Business PACs dominate campaign contributions compared to advocacy groups.

Logic of Collective Action

People won't join groups if they can benefit without contributing (free-riding), especially in large groups. Mancur Olson; Example: enjoying union benefits without joining.

Selective Incentives

Benefits offered to encourage membership and overcome free-riding: material, solidary, or purposive. Example: AARP offers travel discounts (material incentive).

Entrepreneurs in Interest Groups

People who launch and lead interest groups, often driven by passion or ideology. Example: Ralph Nader and consumer protection groups.

Lobbying

Direct interaction with government officials to influence legislation or policy. Example: Pharma companies meeting with Congress to oppose drug price caps.

Revolving Door

Movement between roles in government and lobbying, creating potential conflicts of interest. Example: A former senator becomes a lobbyist for an oil company.

Difference between Parties and Interest Groups

Parties aim to win elections and control government; interest groups influence policy without running candidates. Example: NAACP lobbies for civil rights but doesn't run candidates.

Rise of Interest Groups

Government expansion, weakened parties, social movements, new technologies. Example: Growth of women's and environmental groups post-1960s.

Campaign Contributions from Interest Groups

Access, not votes—such as meetings, attention, and influence. Example: A PAC donation gets you a seat at the table, not a guaranteed policy.

Citizens United v. FEC

A landmark Supreme Court case that decided that corporate funding of independent political broadcasts in candidate elections cannot be limited under the First Amendment.

Super PACs

Corporations and unions can spend unlimited money on independent political activities (free speech). Result: Birth of Super PACs, surge in independent expenditures.

Free riding

Benefiting from an interest group's success without contributing. Example: Getting union-negotiated raises without paying union dues.

Types of interest groups

Economic, public interest, ideological, professional. Examples: AMA (doctors), ACLU (civil liberties), Chamber of Commerce (business).

Grassroots lobbying

Mobilizing public opinion to pressure officials. Example: Protest rallies, email campaigns, phone banking.

1st Amendment protection of lobbying

Through the right 'to petition the government for a redress of grievances.'

PAC

A Political Action Committee that raises money to donate directly to candidates, with limits. Example: A union PAC donating to a pro-labor candidate.

527s

Tax-exempt political advocacy organizations that cannot directly support candidates but can spend on issue advocacy. Must disclose donors.

Campaign finance

Sources include PACs, Super PACs, dark money, and individual donors. Money is spent on ads, digital outreach, and events.

Centralized groups

One national office controls activities (e.g., AARP).

Confederation groups

Independent local/state chapters (e.g., NRA).

Linkage function of interest groups

They connect citizens to government by aggregating interests, informing the public, and lobbying officials.

Inside strategies

Direct lobbying, litigation.

Outside strategies

Mobilizing public support, media campaigns. Example: NAACP uses courts (inside); also protests (outside).

January 6th, 2021

A pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol to stop certification of Biden's victory, incited by false claims of election fraud.

Watergate Scandal

Nixon's administration broke into the DNC and tried to cover it up, leading to charges of obstruction and Nixon's resignation in 1974.

Obstruction of justice

Interfering with law enforcement or investigations. Example: Trump asking officials to 'find votes' or halt investigations.

Electoral votes counting

States certify electors, and Congress formally counts them in a joint session on Jan 6. Disrupting this is illegal and dangerous to democracy.

Fake Elector Scheme

Trump allies submitted illegitimate slates of electors from states Biden won, trying to falsely claim Trump won. Example: 'Alternate electors' in Georgia and Michigan.

Trump undermining election confidence

By spreading lies about fraud, pressuring officials, filing baseless lawsuits, and inciting supporters. Result: Mass distrust, Jan 6th riot, and democratic backsliding.