Interest Groups Flashcards
What are the two paths to deal with Factions?
Eliminate causes [give everyone the same preferences and reduce liberty]
and
Control effects [institutional design of constituion and pluralism]
What are interest groups?
narrow focus on issues, sometimes a single issue. try to influence government by lobbying and do no try to affect policy by contesting elections.
Parties?
broad-based coalition with a wide range of issues that influence policy by contesting elections.
What is the free rider problem?
People can enjoy benefits of group activity without paying for costs. So the individual impact on the group is nearly zero, individuals recieve beneifts whether they contribute or not.
What is the Prisoner’s dilemma?
If both supsects cooperate(remain silent_) then both get a short sentence in jail, if one supsect implicates the other partner, while the other partner remains silent then suspect ! gets no jail time, and suspect 2 gets long sentence. If both implicate each other then both get a moderate sentence
How to avoid Prisoner’s Dilemma?
foster incentives for cooperation like reputation, trust, etc.
How to overcome free rider problem?
Coercion: force people to join or to pay benefits [union shops]; selective benefits– provide goods/services to group members[may not even relate to groups goals]
What are the interest group strategies?
Lobbying; inside strategy and outside strategy; litigation; electoral activities
What is lobbying?
direct efforts to influence government decision making
What is inside strategy?
meet with lawmakers and government officials [may help draft legislation]
What is outside strategy?
mobilize members and public opnion to influence lawmakers through TV Ads, newspapers, mass mailings, prostests, etc.
Tactics used in inside strategies?
contacting journalists; direct lobbying; drafting new legislation; drafting new regulations; litigation; research reports; testimony
Tactics used in outside strategies?
campaign workers or advertising; candidate endorsements; campaign contributions; grassroots lobbying; organizing protests; soliciting letters or emails
Has lobbying spending increased or decreases recently?
Increased. In the billions.
Federal spending vs. lobbying?
federal spending is in the trillions and lobbyists are in the thousands. Federalists have increased pretty steadily until 2009[spiked] and lobbyists kinda have a bell-curve with the first figure in 2000 higher and dropped a little in 2009
What is litigation?
use of the judicial system: challenge legality of laws or actions–Amicus Curiae briefs~letters to Supreme Court explaining position. Very common when other ways failed.
What are electoral activities?
contribute money to campaigns (PACs); provide volunteers; endorse candidates; spend money on advertising
What are interest group resources?
resources determine power and influence.
cohesion, leadership, information, size, and money
What does cohesion do as a resource to interest groups?
enhances chance of success
What does leadership do as a resource to interest groups?
important for cohesion
What does information do as a resource to interest groups?
expertise….policymakers depend on interest groups for information but the information must be accurate. Repeats play and prisoner’s dilemma
What does size do as a resource to interest groups?
large membership implies ability to acquire and mobilize resources
What does money do as a resource to interest groups?
crucial resources
sources: membership dues[but deters membership]; required membership [unions, professional association]; government grants [cities, universities]
What are PAC’s?
Political action committees that are specialized organizations for raising and contribution campaign money.
