Unit III - Interest Group Notes

What is an Iron Triangle?
  • ^^The Iron Triangle consists of: Congress, interest groups, and the Bureaucracy.^^
  • The Iron Triangle has a bidirectional relationship; meaning that all three parties support each other. Basically give to get. One party is in need of the other two parties.
  • Factions cannot be rid of; but can be controlled by a diverse Republic.

  note: the Iron Triangle is only a concept; not an institution.

  \    The Iron Triangle

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What would James Madison call interest groups?
  • ^^James Madison would call interest groups as factions.^^

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  • Free Riders: people who benefit without contributing (in the instance of how beneficial interest groups are.
Rise of Interest Groups:

\ Early Beginnings: Sons of Liberty and the Federalists and Anti-Federalists.

\ **Economic:**Labor Unions and Farmers. \n

Policy: Changes to policy creates interest groups (like veterans).

\ **Social Action/Equality:**Desire for changes to social policy or access. \n

**Expanding Role of Government:**Created as the government’s role expands. \n

Public Interest: Work for the public’s best interest or the perception there of

Kinds of Interest Groups

^^interest groups: any group that seeks to influence public policy.^^

  • main goals of an interest group are to raise money or votes to members of Congress to get elected so they can pass laws.

\ Institutional: Individuals/organizations that represent their organizations, companies, states, universities and foundations.

  • example of a Institutional organization: Amazon________.

\ Membership: Dependent on members joining and paying dues or donations.

  • Membership interest groups are social, business, professional, veteran, charitable, and religious oriented.   * example of a Membership organization: National Rifle Association.

 

Lobbying; What is it?

\ Lobbying: Any communication “by someone other than a citizen acting on his or her own behalf, directed to a governmental decision maker with the hope of influencing his or her decision.” - Lester Milbrath.

  • Lobbying is when someone is hired to go to the nation’s capital to influence the senator/house member assembly to take action on behalf of interest groups.   * organizations and interest groups hire lobbyist to influence the government at ALL levels.   * some influences can be good and some is bad.

Lobbyist are known for influencing lawmakers through information.

Why Join an Interest Group?
  • builds political efficacy and civic duty.
  • want to feel connected to their community.
  • League of Women Voters, the NAACP, Rotary, and the American Legion build strong local organizations.
  • some farm organizations give discounts for farm supplies to members.
  • The American Association of Retired Person (AARP) offers low-cost life insurance and discounted prescription drugs, give advice, and group travel plans.
  • Others join interests groups because they believe in the cause and see change happen. (example: environmental groups).
Interest Groups in Action
  • Supplying Information: Lobbyist provide credible information to Congress.

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  • Raising Support: Grassroots mobilization to put pressure on Congress.

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  • Creating PACS: used to funnel money to candidates that they favor.

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  • Testifying for Congress: providing expert witness in committee hearing.

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  • Socializing: attend and hold events in Washington D.C.

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  • Endorsement: announce their support for specific candidate.

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  • Propaganda: send our information to promote their views.

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  • Litigate: using the Supreme Court to decide on changes.

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  • ^^Employing Former Government Officials: the “revolving door” means government officials go to work for interest groups.^^

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  • Protest/Disruption: public displays to gain awareness and bring about changes.
Political Action Committees (PACS)
What are PACS?
  • Political Action Committee (PAC): created by interest groups to fund candidates they agree with.   * PACS must be registered with the Federal Election Commission (FEC).   * Money given directly to the candidates campaign is hard money and is regulated closely.   * Money given to political parties is soft money; less restriction.

 \n ^^PACS work for candidates and political parties by funneling money to them.^^

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Super PACs
  • ^^Super PACs are allowed to raise unlimited amounts of money and spend unlimited amounts of money^^ ^^advocating for or against a candidate. Unlike PACs, they are unable to give directly to candidates.^^   * created by Supreme Court cases.     * Citizens United v. FEC: Caps on amount of money a person can give to a PAC is unconstitutional and that corporations and unions could make unlimited donations (spending).
Regulation of Interest Groups - ERA 1
  • Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA - 1970): Placed limits on individual contributions to candidates (hard money - limited and regulated) $1000 per candidate per election.
  • no labor unions, corporations, or foreign nationals.
  • Limited candidate spending.
  • Disclosure laws - spending/raising - reported to the FEC (Federal Elections Commission).
  • Hard money to candidates and soft money to political parties.

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FECA Loopholes:
  • Soft money goes to the parties.   * not limited or regulated.
  • Bundling: money from individuals but given as a group.
  • PACs - hard money ($5000 a year as it is 1st Amendment protected).
  • Independent Expenditure Group (IEG).
  • Citizens who come together but cannot be for a specific candidate or party.
Regulations - ERA 1

Buckley v. Valeo (1976)

  • Upheld hard money limits.
  • Struck down candidate spending limits - 1st Amendment - unless they accept public funding they are held to a spending limit.
  • issue ads - soft money vs. expressed advocacy (“Vote for…”) - hard money.
Regulations - ERA 2 (2002 - 2010)
  • Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain - Feingold) (BCRA) tried to remove unlimited funding.   * raised hard money limits: $5k to candidate $15k to party.   * banned soft money to parties.   * limited issue ads before elections.   * 30 days before a primary.   * 60 days before a general election. \n
BCRA Loopholes:
  • IEGs explode   * 527 committees which are not regulated the same way.   * 501 (c4): Tax code - money spend as 51% to social welfare and 49% in political activities. (can hide any donator’s identity).   * does not have to disclose its donors.
Regulations - ERA 3 (2010 - present)
  • Citizens United v. FEC; IEG funded by corporations, labor unions now protected by 1st Amendment.

\ Loopholes

  • Super PACs can be a labor union or corporation.   * soft money   * independent of candidate   * 527 goes away but 501 (c4) is still active.

\ Which current court case made it easier for Super PACs to make an impact on elections? Citizens United v. FEC.

\ The government organization who is responsible for regulating campaign finances is known as Federal Election Campaign (FEC).

\ Main purpose of PACs is to get money directly and indirectly to candidates they agree with.

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