gov interest groups and elections Flashcards
interest group goals
- gain access to policymakers
- influence public policy
- support sympathetic policymakers
policy
a government plan of action to address issues that involve the people
what do policies start with
the people who express their interest, problems/concerns, political issues
linkage institutions
the political channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the policy agenda
linkage institutions examples
political parties
elections
news and entertainment media
interest groups
policy agenda
items at the top of the policy agenda are taken care of firsti
policy making institutions
the branches of government charged with taking action on political issues
legislative, executive, courts
how are interest groups and political parties different
political parties fight election battles; interest groups do not run their own slate of candidates for office but just support candidates
policy specialists and policy generalists
interest groups are policy specialists and they focus on one area but political parties are policy generalists and are broad spectrum of policies
interest group strategies
- lobbying
- electioneering
- litigation
- appealing to the public
lobbying
communication by someone acting on behalf of citizens, directed to a governmental decision-maker with the hope of influencing their decision
2 types of lobbyists
regular, paid employees
temporary hires
revolving door
the movement of individuals from government positions to jobs with interest groups or lobbying firms
lobbyists
- are a source of information
- help politicians plan political strategies for legislation
- help plan political strategies for reelection campaigns
are a source of ideas and innovations
olson’s law
-small groups are easier to organize than large groups
-large groups tens to have a free rider problem
how to resolve free rider issue
- offer selective benefits
electioneering
helping candidates financially and getting group members to support them
PACS
PACS
political arms of interest groups
legally entitled to raise voluntary funds to contribute to favored candidates of parties
support incumbents
litigation
using courts to bring up issues; amaicus curiae briefs; raise additional points of view and present info not contained in briefs of formal parties
- class action lawsuits ; brought by a class of people against a defendant
litigation
using courts to bring up issues; amaicus curiae briefs; raise additional points of view and present info not contained in briefs of formal parties
- class action lawsuits ; brought by a class of people against a defendant
hyperpluralist critique
- groups become too powerful as the gov tries to appease every interest
interest group liberalism is aggravated by iron triangles