TOPICS #34 — INTEREST GROUPS

Q1.     What do you understand an interest group to be? What are the defining characteristics of interest groups? What are some examples of interest groups?

Q2.     Are there different types of interest groups? How might we classify different types of interest groups?

Q3.     Why are there so many interest groups and why are their numbers increasing?

Q4.     From a normative point of view, what are some reasons why we evaluate interest groups negatively? Are there other reasons why we might evaluate interests groups positively?

Q5.     Do interest groups mostly get what they want through the political process? Under what circumstances is an interest group likely to be successful in getting what it wants?

(common) interest groups vs. (organized) interest groups

types and varieties of organized interest groups (see over)

          narrow (special) interest groups

                     trade associations (MPAA, RIAA, API, ATA, AAR, NAB)

                     professional associations (AMA, ABA, NEA, APSA)

                     unions (UAW, AFT, AFSCME)

          single-issue interest groups (Anti-Saloon League, MADD, NRA, NARAL)

          peak associations (AFL-CIO, NAM, Business Roundtable, AFBF)

          broad (demographic) interest groups (AARP, NAACP, American Legion)

          broad (ideological) interest groups (ADA, ACA, Christian Coalition)

                     public interest groups (Common Cause, Public Citizen, EDF)

(increasing) prevalence of interest groups in (American) politics

interest group activities

          amateur vs professional lobbying: lobbying firms

          inside lobbying: access, information, persuasion, legislative mobilization

          outside lobbying: public relations, popular mobilization, demonstrations, petitions

electoral activities (PACs):campaign contributions vs. taking sides

evaluation of interest groups

          classical democratic theory (and popular evaluation)

"pluralism” / “group theory" (David Truman, The Governmental Process) critique “collective action problem” (Mancur Olson, Logic of Collective Action)

                     selective incentives (AAA, AARP)

interest group influence and types of politics

          special interest (pork-barrel or distributive) politics

          interest group (factional ) politics

          majoritarian politics