Unit 10 Flashcards
What Amendment protects the freedom to organize?
The First Amendment.
What is an interest group?
An organized group of people with a shared policy goal(s), who enter the policy process to try to achieve their goals.
What are the three important theories of American democracy (relating to interest groups)?
- Pluralism
- Elitism
- Hyperpluralism
Pluralism
The theory that interest groups are dispersed in power and represents everyone; every group balances each other out.
Elitism
The theory that few interest groups (primarily the wealthy) have the most power and is not shared equally. (Believes lobbying is a problem because it only benefits those in power.)
Hyperpluralism (AKA Interest Group Liberalism)
The theory that the interest group system is out of control and that government policies are too deferential to them. This often results in government policies being too contradictory.
Iron Triangles
Subgovernments composed of key interest group leaders interested in policy X, the government agency in charge of administering policy X, and the members of the congressional committees/subcommittees handling policy X.
What do all Iron Triangles have in common?
They all want to protect their self-interest.
What is the Madisonian system?
A structure of government in which the powers of government are separated into three branches: legislative, judicial, and executive.
What factors can make an interest group successful?
- Financial resources
- Size of group
- Intensity / Passion
What is a collective good?
Something of value or benefit, such as clean air.
What is a free-rider?
A person or group who benefits from the efforts of others without bearing any costs.
Collective Goods/Free-Rider Problem
For an interest group, the fact that some/many potential members will not join because they can obtain benefits from group activities without actually joining.
Selective Benefits
Goods that a group can restrict to those who actually join. Helps overcome the Free-Rider Problem.
Single-Issue Group
Group that has a narrow interest, dislikes compromise, and “single-mindedly” pursues their goal. It is assumed that Anti-Vietnam War activists were the first.
What strategies do interest groups use to achieve their policy goals?
- Lobbying
- Litigation
- Electioneering
- Appealing to the Public
Lobbying
The process by which an individual or group communicates with policymakers in an attempt to influence policy decisions.
The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995
Established criteria for determining whether an organization or firm should register its employees as lobbyists.
Electioneering
Direct group involvement in the electoral process; help fund campaigns, getting members to work for candidates, etc.
Political Action Committee (PAC)
Provides a means for interest groups to participate in electioneering; raises and spends money to elect/defeat candidates.
Litigating
When legislative objectives fail to pass in Congress, interest groups may fight for specific rulings via the judicial process.
Example of an interest group undergoing litigation:
American Civil Liberties Union challenged the constitutionality of the Communications Decency Act (regulating offensive content on the internet). In the case of Reno v. American Civil Liberties Union (1997), they succeeded in having the Supreme Court strike down the law.
Amicus Curiae briefs
Known as “friend of the court” briefs, which are written arguments submitted to courts in support of one side of the case. Usually seen in highly publicized or emotionally charged cases.
Example of use of Amicus Curiae briefs:
Was used in Fisher v. University of Texas (challenging the university’s affirmative action programs as a form of reverse discrimination).
Appealing to the Public
Using social media as a means to communicate and interact with voters. Politicians tend to spend much of their budget onto social media, making it almost comparable to actual political campaigns.
What are the types of interest groups?
- Economic interest groups
- Environmental interest groups
- Equality/Civil rights interest groups
- General public interest groups
Economic Interest Groups
Deals with business, labor, and farming industries worried about the impact of government regulations.
What is the main interest group representing labor?
Unions. (ie. AFL-CIO and the National Education Association)
Right-to-Work Laws
Outlaws union membership as a condition of employment; forbid the creation of union shops.
Established by the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947.
Which case weakened the ability for public sector unions to take fees from nonmembers?
Janus v. AFSCME
Environmental Interest Groups
Primarily advocates for environmental protection; promotes policies to control pollution and combat global warming, etc.
Example of an Environmental Interest Group:
The Sierra Club or the National Wildlife Federation.
Equality Interest Groups
Represents minorities and women and advocates have made equal rights their main policy goal.
Example of Equality Interest Group:
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), National Organization for Women (NOW).
Other Public Interest Lobbies
Organized groups may form ideas/various cases “in the public interest.”
Public Interest Lobbies
Organizations that seek a collective good, which benefits the society as a whole.
Indirect Democracy
A type of democratic government in which voters elect representatives to make laws on their behalf.
(ie. Voters vote for a candidate running for Congress into office.)
Direct Democracy
A type of democratic government in which voters have a direct role in policymaking / democratic decision making without any representative.
(ie. Propositions)
Indirect vs. Direct
With a large population, it is better to have an indirect democracy for better decision-making, and also mitigates the disadvantage in the minority (gives them a better chance to be represented).
