Interest groups & Political Parties Flashcards
Interest Groups:
Organization of people
with similar policy goals
entering the political
process to INFLUENCE
PUBLIC POLICY
Select lobbyists
Between citizens and government (represent
the interests of the minorities and those of intense political
beliefs)
Labor Unions
SEIU; AFL; Teamsters
Business groups
Chamber Of
Commerce Oldest & Largest
Professional
AMA:(doctors): ABA
(Lawyers): NEA (teachers))
Labor Interest Groups
More members than any other interest groups other than AARP
(American Association for Retired Persons).
Pluralism
Argues that interest group activity brings representation
to all; groups compete and counterbalance each other
Elite and Class Theory
Power of Few looking out for themselves and wealthy
corporations prevail when it comes to making big
decisions by government
Hyperpluralism
Argues that too many groups are getting too
much of what they want, resulting in a
government policy that is lacking in direction
and gridlocked.
According to “Olson’s Law of Large Groups”
There is more at stake for each member, making it easier to organize and activate all its members
Do not have “free-rider” problem as large groups do
The only way large groups can overcome the benefits of small groups is to provide “selective benefits”
Electioneering and Political Action
Committees (PAC)
Giving money to
candidates and getting
their members to
support them.
Lobbyists and PACs can withhold or give money to legislators
Most often PACs support incumbents 98% of incumbents win
(Buckley v Valeo)
In 1976, The Supreme Court ruled someone running for office
could spend their own money on their own campaign.
Citizens United v FEC
ruled that spending in support of federal candidates was a form of free speech and thus such spending could not be limited.
Amicus Curiae Briefs
Amicus Curiae Briefs: friend of the court
is a legal document filed by individuals or organizations not directly involved in a case but who have a strong interest in the outcome, providing additional information or legal arguments to aid the court in making its decision
superdelegates
in the Democratic Party an unelected delegate who is free to support any candidate for the
presidential nomination at the party’s national convention
National Convention:
meets every four years to write
platforms and nominate candidates for
President/Vice-President
National Committee:
composed of representatives
from states and territories; keeps party running
between elections
National Chairperson:
responsible for Day to day
activities
Money
is the most difficult challenge of running
party organizations.
