Interest groups USA

Three types of interest group: policy groups that attempt to influence a whole area such as AIPAC, professional groups that represent the economic interests of its members such as the American Medical Association, single interest groups that advocate policy surrounding a limited specific issue

Interest groups are highly influential partly bc of the specific constitutional + political arrangements of US which arguably allow them to have more influence than in any other country - most groups can exert influence somewhere within the political system, so interest groups have a significant impact on policy making

Why interest groups are so significant

Elections are numerous and frequent

There is a huge range of elected offices

Congresspersons are 1/3 of senators are elected every two years

This gives a strong opportunity for groups to exploit this and influence electoral outcomes

Interest group money is important in elections (increasingly since Citizens United v FEC)

There are many access points

This is caused by the sep of powers and federalism creates many centres of power

Interest groups can choose a receptive institution

Failure with one institution does not mean failure overall

US has lots of access points or centres of power which groups can influence

Groups' rights are protected

Even extremist groups have protected rights

The 1st amendment promotes freedom of expression and association

Some groups have their aims enshrined in the constitution

The US has a strong level rights protection due to an entrenched, sovereign constitution whcih protects rights, even for extremist groups

Supreme court can provide longer term success for an interest group relatively

This protects and promotes interest group activity

Politicians are open to persuasion

Individual voting record in Congress is important in election

Indivs in Congress can and do vote against the party line

Politicians are therefore open to persusion by interest groups

Groups try to expose/utilise this

Parties and/ party leaders are weak, finding it hard to control politicians in their party

Factors influencing the influence of specific groups

Membership - an active membership can undertake grassroots lobbying to influence their members of Congress to support or oppose certain measures- large groups can create electoral threat to indiv politicians. Members are often used at election times to contact potential voters to affect electoral outcomes

Money - strong financial resources allow interest groups to run more effective publicity campaigns - many interest groups spend huge amounts of money on lobbying which is expensive in US - interest groups also donate money to political campaigns

Contacts - interest groups try to maximise their political contacts often employing professional lobbyists who are former politicians or advisors = creates contacts between some interest groups esp major corporations and politicians. A policy network developments in which at least some groups haev high levels of influence

Expertise - most groups establish expertise in their area, so they can lobby Congress and appeal to the public with greater authority. The importance of the Constitution and the law means that interest groups often employ legal experts to advise on how laws can be changed and provide constitutional lawyers to litigate in support of their cause

Interest group tactics

Publicity - amy use publicity to change public opinion and may try to influence actual voting behaviour of the public

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