Today we will look at interest groups and their effect on policy making.
Today we will look at interest groups and their effect on policy making. We will cover the different kinds of interest groups (1:41), the ways in which they can apply interest to the government (3:45), iron triangles (4:34), and some of the criticisms of interest group lobbying (5:15).
Today’s question of the day (6:44):In billions, how much money did interest groups spend on the 2020 elections?
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Hi and welcome to the APsolute Recap: US Government Edition. Today’s episode will recap Interest Groups
Lets Zoom out:
Unit 5 - Political Participation
Topic- 5.6-5.7
Big idea - Competing Policy Making Interests
Today we are going to look at interest groups and their effect on policy making. We will cover the different kinds of interest groups, the ways in which they can apply interest to the government, iron triangles, and some of the criticisms of interest group lobbying.
Lets Zoom in:
Interest groups, which is an organization of people that have similar interests and goals with regard to policy, are an example of a linkage institution. While we have not used that specific term before, we have discussed a couple of examples in previous episodes. A linkage institution is something that connects the people’s interests to the government in some fashion. In the US, linkage institutions include: elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media (which we will cover in a future episode). The power of interest groups has been on the rise since the 1960’s, and represent both liberal and conservative ideologies.
For the purpose of the AP exam, we will focus on three different kinds of interest groups. The first group is based on occupation and or economic interests. Examples of these groups could include the American Medical Association, the AFL-CIO, the National Education Association, or the Chamber of Commerce. Not all of these groups have the same interests. A union might want more regulation or to see the federal minimum wage raise, while an organization representing the business side would likely be against these policies. A second group is based on public interests and things that in general are beneficial to all. Examples of this could be the Humane Society or Sierra Club. Environmental interest groups have gained influence in the recent decades as evidence of climate change became more pronounced. Finally, there are single issue interest groups, which represent some of the most powerful influences over policy. Two notable issues involving rights surrounding guns and abortions.
So how exactly do these groups influence policy? There are two areas to consider: inside of Congress and outside of Congress. Interest groups can donate money to candidates also known as electioneering, lobby members of Congress, and help draft legislation to be sent to the floors. Often these influences happen behind closed doors, and the public isn’t aware of the influences unless the media or members of Congress shed light on the issue. Outside of Congress, interest groups work to get public opinion behind their goals. This could include grassroots canvassing, social media campaigns, sending out political mailers, and in some cases, starting public initiatives to bring issues to a vote.
Sometimes these interest groups are part of a mutual relationship involving Congressional committees, and other bureaucratic agencies in the government. This relationship can be called an issue network, or Iron Triangle. This relationship is usually friendly, with each group helping the other two and receiving something in return. For a more detailed example, please see our study guide that accompanies this episode. It is also common for members to use the relationships developed in these networks to make a lateral move into another job. While there are sometimes time limits on members of the government joining a lobby group, it is still a common practice known as the revolving door.
This close relationship between interest groups and Washington has often been criticized. There is no equity amongst these groups. Connections and the amount of money a group has are huge determining factors when it comes to their actual influence over the policies coming out of Washington. Sometimes this issue is referred to as elitism. When you have too many elite interest groups, you could end up with hyperpluralism, which is the idea that equally powerful groups lobby for things that essentially have contradictory interests, leading either to gridlock or policy that doesn’t have clear objectives. Finally, there is the idea of a “free rider” problem. This is when individuals benefit from a collective good regardless of whether or not they are part of the interest group, which disincentivizes joining the group and taking part in the political process.
To recap……
Interest groups are an example of a linkage institution that creates a connection between the people and the government. There are three different types of interest groups who use money and influence to lobby for change both in and outside of Congress. Some of the criticisms of these groups are the role of money and the revolving door, which makes some interest groups more powerful and thus makes some interests more prominent than others.
Coming up next on the Apsolute RecAP US Government Edition: Campaign Finance
Today’s Question of the day is about Interest Group Spending
Question: In billions, how much money did interest groups spend on the 2020 elections?