Gov Ch. 9

Amicus curiae

Latin for “friend of the court,” referring to an interested group or person who shares relevant information about a case to help the Court reach a decision

astroturf lobbying

Any lobbying method initiated by an interest group that is designed to look like the spontaneous, independent participation of many individuals

centralized groups

Interest groups that have a headquarters, usually in Washington, D.C., as well as members and field offices throughout the country. In general, these groups’ lobbying decisions are made at headquarters by the group leaders

well-known organizations like AARP and NRA

Pros: controls all the groups resources and can deploy them efficiently

cons: can be challenging for these groups to find out what their members want

checkbook membership

a type of participation in an interest group where individuals support the group mainly by donating money, rather than actively engaging in its activities

confederation

Interest groups made up of several independent, local organizations that provide much of their funding and hold most of the power

direct lobbying

Attempts by interest group staff to influence policy by speaking with elected officials or bureaucrats

disturbance theory

Groups form to counteract other groups. When we have changes in the economic, political, or social environment that threaten a segment of the population, groups will form to counteract those changes

Free riders/free riding

Relying on others to contribute to a collective effort while failing to participate on one’s own behalf, yet still benefiting from the group’s successes

grassroots lobbying

A lobbying strategy that relies on participation by group members, such as a protest or a letter-writing campaign

indrect lobbying

when an interest group tries to influence public officials by mobilizing the public, rather than contacting lawmakers directly

insider tactics and strategies

The tactics employed within Washington, D.C., by interest groups seeking to achieve their policy goals.

strategies used by interest groups to influence policymakers through direct, personal contact with government officials. These tactics rely on access, relationships, expertise, and negotiation inside the political process

outsider tactics and strategies

strategies interest groups use to influence policymakers by mobilizing the public or creating external pressure, rather than working directly with lawmakers.

These tactics operate outside the formal political process and aim to shape public opinion, media coverage, or mass participation so that elected officials feel pressured to act

interest groups

Formal organizations that try to lobby or encourage certain policies within government or let politicians become more aware of issues that they think are important

Organized groups of people seeking to influence public policy

linkage institution

Institutions such as political parties, interest groups, the media, and elections that are channels through which individuals can communicate their preferences to policy makers

lobbying

Efforts to influence public policy through contact with public officials on behalf of an interest group

lobbyist

a professional who works to influence public policy in favor of their client’s interest

mass associations

Interest groups that have a large number of dues-paying individuals as members

peak associations

Interest groups whose members are businesses or other organizations rather than individuals

political action committees

An interest group or a division of an interest group that can raise money to contribute to campaigns or to spend on ads in support of candidates. The amount a PAC can receive from each of its donors and the amount it can spend on federal electioneering are strictly limited

purposive benefits

Satisfaction derived from the experience of working toward a desired policy goal, even if the goal is not achieved

revolving door

The movement of individuals from government positions to jobs with interest groups or lobbying firms, and vice versa

selective incentives

Benefits that can motivate participation in a group effort because they are available only to those who participate, such as member services offered by interest groups

selective benefits

benefits that an interest group offers only to its members, not to the general public. They are used to encourage people to join and participate, especially when the group is fighting for a public good that everyone can enjoy (even non-members)

material benefits

tangible, physical, or financial rewards that an interest group provides only to its members as an incentive to join.

They are a type of selective benefit, meaning they help overcome the free rider problem by giving people something they can only get if they become members

solidary benefits

Satisfaction derived from the experience of working with like-minded people, even if the group’s efforts do not achieve the desired impact

SuperPAC

political committees that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to influence elections — but they cannot donate directly to candidates or coordinate with their campaigns.

types of interest groups

business, union, professional organizations, ideological or single issue groups, public interest groups or advocacy groups, institutional, trade or peak associations

business interest group

For-profit enterprises that aim to influence policy in ways that will increase profits or satisfy other goals. Many corporations, such as Google, ExxonMobil, Boeing, Facebook, Citibank, and Sallie Mae, have lobbying operations that petition government for contracts or favorable regulations of their firm or industry

union interest group

Lobby for regulations that make it easy for workers to form labor unions, as well as for a range of other policies. The largest of these is the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)

professional organizations interest group

represent individuals who have a common interest in a profession; examples include the American Society of Civil Engineers, National Education Association, American Medical Association, and American Bar Association

ideological or single issue groups

organizations that focus on a specific set of beliefs or a single policy issue to influence public opinion and government. Ideological groups advocate for a broad, comprehensive system of beliefs, such as conservatism or communism. Single-issue groups, in contrast, concentrate on a particular policy area like gun rights, abortion, or environmental protection, often with intense focus and less willingness to compromise.

public interest groups or advocacy groups

organizations that work to influence government policy in favor of a particular cause or the general public's welfare, rather than the narrow interests of their own members. They use tactics like lobbying, public awareness campaigns, and providing information to policymakers to achieve their goals. These groups can focus on a wide range of issues, such as environmental protection, consumer rights, social justice, and healthcare.

institutional interest groups

are formed by nonprofits such as universities, think tanks, or museums. For example, the Big Ten Academic Alliance is a group of universities that prepares research to help individual universities make the case for continued federal support. Think tanks may also provide other support for interest groups, such as research.

trade or peak associations

groups of businesses (often in the same industry) that band together to lobby for policies that benefit all of them. For example, the National Beer Wholesalers Association, a nationwide group of local businesses that buy beer from brewers and resell it to stores and restaurants, lobbies to require intermediaries between beer producers and the stores, bars, and restaurants that sell beer to consumers.