There is an old adeage that states there is power in numbers. Interest groups have mastered this theory in trying to influence politicians and the legislation politicians create. An interest group is an organization of people sharing a common interest or goal that seeks to influence the making public policy. (Wilson, 2009) Interest Groups have been involved in American Politics since 1700’s. But in the past forty years, the number of interest groups has risen greatly.
Four reasons have been identified as the contribution factors in the creation of interest groups.Government policy is one of the factors contributing to the creation of interest group. Two examples would be the return of war veterans demanding benefits and certain professions that government regulate such as doctors and lawyers band together to make sure their interest in politics were heard. A second factor that led to the creation of interest groups was broad economic developments create new interest and redefining old ones.
Railroads and mass production led to commerce in areas that farmers had no control over.By creating a group of people with like interests, a second pair of eyes was placed on your products to make sure all commerce operated smoothly. The third factor, and I think the most known, is the creation of interest groups as a result of a social movement. For example, interest groups for and against gay rights and interest groups for women’s rights. The last factor contributing to the creations of interest groups is as the government starts to undertake more activities, the more interest groups will appear to protect their interest. An example of this factor is illustrated well with abortion, pro-life and pro-choice.
As the government discussed legislation to prevent abortion or partial birth abortion, interest groups from both sides have been involved. There are several types of interest groups. The most common types are based on economics, social policy, public interest, and labor unions. Economic groups primarily focus on the economy with most of its members from business and trade association. Some examples of an economic interest group would include the National Association of Home Builders, and professional associations for lawyers, doctors, and dentists. The social party consists of groups that support a set of political beliefs or social beliefs.
Examples from this category consist of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), National Rifle Association (NRA) and National Right to Life Committee. While some of the groups focus on one single issue, like NRA for gun rights and the NRLC for abortion, other groups like the ACLU are more general. Labor unions such a the International Brotherhood of Teamsters are union groups used for bargaining power against business and corporations. Lastly, the public interest groups are groups that exist for pursuing the public interest and promoting issues for general public concern.A few examples of public interest groups include Common Causes which seek campaign finance reform and Sierra Club, which is for protection of the environment. The relationship between interest groups and political parties is quite simple.
Interest groups are policy makers. Congress creates the majority of the laws and bills that are passed each year in the US government. Interest groups want as many congressmen on their side in hopes their interest is represented in new policies or by keeping the current policy in place.The political cartoon shown to the right illustrates what most people believe. The only role for interest groups is to fund a politician campaign account. While this is not the principle function of an interest group, it is an important aspect.
Relationship between interest groups and politicians cannot be discussed without introducing the term PAC, political action committee. While PAC can be independent, most are affiliated with existing interest groups. Political action committees can either nonconnected or a separate segregated fund also known as a corporate/trade/labor PAC.The main goal of any PAC is to raise and distribute money to candidates.
To help prevent corruption involving PACs, regulations have been made to cap the contribution amount political action committees can contribute to a candidate. Currently Political action committees can contribute $5,000 to a candidate or committee for each election, $15,000 to a political party per year, and $5,000 to another PAC annually. Below are two illustrations showing what types of contributions are being made from Political Action committees and how the contribution are distributed:While the table and graph above are completely different, they provide a visual to show how much money is given to politicians and how segregated the contribution are. The table is comprised of mostly labor unions who donate the majority of their contributions to Democratic parties.
The graph on the right illustrates the contributions from Big Oil Companies and most of their contributions are contributed to Republican affiliated politicians. Both illustrations also show the level of giving that is required from an interest group to be a major factor in influence public policy.With thousands and thousands of interest groups involved in American government, there are some groups that have more influence than others. Influence seems to be closely related to the number of interest group member and the amount of money available for contribution. The main objective of an interest group is to influence policy.
Some of the way they try to influence consists of lobbying government, engaging in election activities, educating and mobilizing various public members. Lobbying government is the practice of talking with members of Congress to them to support their group.Lobbyists are usually paid employees of interest groups who have access to public officials, either through college connections or by the lobbyist being a former politician. Not only are there individuals lobbyist, but corporations and unions can be lobbyists for a group or cause.
Some of the highest paid lobbyists include Gerald Evans, Timothy Perry and Joel Rozner, all reporting an income of $1. 2 in 2011. In addition to lobbying, interest groups engage in election activities by supporting a candidate who has the same beliefs the interest group does.Interest groups will hold fundraiser for the candidate, advertising, and phone banking. Interest groups educate the public, politicians and potential members to help influence policy. Interest groups organize grassroots activities such as writing letters, protesting, and make phone calls to influence policy.
During the history of American government there have been many instances of how interest groups affect public policy. M. A. D.
D. , Mothers against Drunk Drivers is an organization that promotes education to the public about the dangers of driving while under the influence.One of the biggest influences M. A.
D. D. accomplished was lowering the blood alcohol level from . 10 to . 08.
Since M. A. D. D’s conception death by drunk driving has steadily declined of the years. This is an example how an interest group can have the public in mind and help protect everyone, not just based on an individual’s political affiliation.
Just recently the UAW (United Auto Workers) declared their number one priority is to re-elect Obama as president. This is an example of how interest groups support politicians and influence voters.Obama was a supporter and creator of the reorganization of several of the auto industry several years ago. Since Obama helped them and had the auto workers best interest in mind, the UAW will support him for re-election.
The AARP (American Association of Retired People) recently supported politicians and legislation known as the Affordable Care Act, which offers protection against their members by offering affordable health care to people 50 years of age or older and their families. Most recent election for North Carolina had a much publicized Amendment on the Ballot.Amendment One defined civil union as being between a man and a woman. As a resident you could not drive five miles without seeing a sign that was asking to either reject or support the marriage certificate. Two of the major interest groups involved in the heated debate were National Organizations for Marriage and Human Rights Coalition.
$1 million were raised by the NOM, while $2 million was raised by the Human Rights Coalition. After the election, Amendment One was passed meaning civil union will only be between a man and a woman.Ironic to see the position each interest group held and the amount of money did not play a role in the position that passed. Interest groups play a major role in our government. Not only do they influence policy makers, but they also write policy that has been introduced and passed by congress. Public opinion seems to think interest groups are corrupting our government, but in most cases, such as M.
A. D. D. and Sierra Club, their focus is educating people and politicians to improve our current policies to make help protect our environment and surrounding.
Some interest groups are more one sided and are involved in heated differences, such as NRA and the ACLU. Interest groups are a great method to help educate people that would not otherwise know of certain situations. As for corrupting government, it is the politicians responsibility to stay focused on the policies that need reform or not. Congress needs to listen to their constitutes and help implement the policies that are important to all the people they represent, not just a few “well-to-do” constitutes supporting their campaign.
