Anagnoson - Interest Groups (Pages 45-60) Flashcards
What is the pluralist theory according to Anagnoson?
It is where the political system is considered a marketplace in which a multitude of interests compete, no single interest or combination of interests is powerful enough to dominate, and government sits outside as an umpire or referee.
What is the elitist theory according to Anagnoson?
It acknowledges that there are many interest groups, but few have real power. Power rests in the hands of a few groups, such as large national and multinational corporations, universities, foundations, and public policy institutes, where elites set the agenda and determine the policy outcomes of government.
Does California follow the pluralist theory or the elitist?
California politics is a blend of the two.
How much lobbying activity does California account for?
1/3 in the country, but only 12% of the country’s population.
Why does California account for all the lobbying activity that it has?
Weak political parties, growth of government, term limits, and public interest groups.
What is a citizen lobbyist?
They interact with their representatives to express their personal views on an issue and to attempt to influence legislation at that issue.
What are contract lobbyists?
They are professional lobbyists that make up 50% of Sacramento and offer their services to the general public, they are advocates for hire and often represent multiple clients on a variety of issues at the same time.
What are in-house lobbyists?
They are professional lobbyists that are employees of a trade, professional, or labor association and represent that group’s interest only.
Citizens United v. Federal Election Committee (2010)
The S.Ct. held that PACS could raise unlimited funds from individual corporations and unions to support or oppose candidates for office.
What is the California Correctional Peace Officers Association
They are a powerful interest group based in Sacramento in which they are known for their aggressive lobbying, large campaign contributions (in which they earn lots back, as through pay raises, etc.), and skillful public relations. They donate to both Republicans and Democrats and have spent over $42 Million in lobbying and campaign activities. As a result of their contributions, prison guards (of this group) are amongst the highest paid in California than the rest of the U.S.
What are clean money elections
They provide public funding to candidates who demonstrate a base of public support by obtaining a qualifying number of voter signatures and a certain number of small contributions and who agree to forgo any other private donation.
Contribution limits in California?
Propositions 63, 78, in 1993, 208 in 1996, and 34 in 2000 have places limits on contributions. But now there are super PACS, who can donate unlimited amounts of money to advocate for political candidate or against they wish, as long as they report their donors to the Federal Election Commission on a monthly or quarterly basis, BUT!!! They cannot donate directly to political candidates.
What is the Political Reform Act (PRA) of 1974?
It requires lobbyist or interest groups to report campaign and lobbying expenditures. It shifted the filing of lobbying statements from the state legislature to the Fair Political Practice Commission.
After the passage of PROP 34, many rules govern interest groups and lobbyists. which are:
Lobbyist or lobbying firms cannot present a gift to a state-elected official or legislative-official in aggregate of more than $10 a month, anyone who is not a registered lobbyist can give up to $250 in gifts each calendar year.
A lobbyist cannot contribute to state candidates or officeholders if they are registered to lobby that candidate or officeholder’s agency. However, the various interest groups that employ lobbyists have no such restrictions.
Interest groups, individuals, and businesses have specific limits on election contributions to candidates or officeholders. The limits for legislative candidates are $3200; for state offices except the governor, $5300, and for governor, $21300.
