LBR - Interest Groups and Lobbyists Lesson

 

Interest Groups and Lobbyists

Interest Groups

How do Interest Groups Influence Public Policy?

An interest group is an organization that represents a specific group of people with common interests and concerns. Interest groups send representatives to state capitals and to Washington D.C. to put pressure on members of Congress and other lawmakers. Interest groups generally work through advocacy, lobbying, and campaigning to change policy.  

Types of Interest Groups

There are five different types of special interest groups.  

Economic Interest Groups

Interest groups that represent all aspects of the economy, including, agriculture, food, health, law, media, automobiles, transportation, and utilities… Examples include: Union Pacific, National Association of Home Builders, General Motors, American Bar Association (ABA), and the American Medical Association (AMA).

 

Societal Interest Groups

Interest groups that are based on individual characteristics, including, age, gender, race, religion, and ethnicity... Examples include:  Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts of America, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

 

Ideological Interest Groups

Interest groups that are based on political beliefs and ideologies, such as people with conservative, liberal, or radical views on politics…  These interest groups take a stand on major issues such as abortion, immigration, gun control, and the death penalty.  

Public Interest Groups

Interest groups that advocate for the family, human rights, consumers, and the common good… Examples include: Greenpeace, Environmental groups that oppose drilling for oil in localized areas, and the National Education Association (teacher's union and general public interest group).

Government Interest Groups

Interest groups that seek influence regarding policy and budget expenditures from local, state, and foreign governments… For example: National League of Cities, National Governors Association, and the National Conference of Mayors.

 

 

Lobbying

One of the ways that Interest Groups work is through lobbying. Lobbying is the organized practice of influencing legislation or policy and can take on a variety of forms. Lobbyists can testify at congressional hearings, contact government officials directly, present research and results and technical information, talk with the media, and help draft legislation.

Why should politicians listen to Special Interest Groups and Lobbyists?  

Interest groups and lobbyists actively involve themselves in political elections and campaigns. Their activities can help elect candidates to government offices. Political Action Committees (PACS), organizations that collect campaign contributions, help fund political campaigns for or against candidates.  

Do interest groups corrupt government by buying influence?

Some critics believe that interest groups and lobbyists do encourage corruption because they pool money from major businesses and corporations and can advocate for single issues that are not in the best interest of society as a whole. Collective funding and influence gives them a connection to government that ordinary people do not have, which can in turn help the few at the expense of the many. In contrast, everyone is free to form and join an interest group. There are so many interest groups in existence that there is just about one for everyone. Interest groups make the American government more accessible because they give individuals and minority opinions the opportunity to be part of a group which has more influence and a louder voice.  

 

 

Rules that Govern Lobbying

The United States requires a systematic disclosure of lobbying. The United States is one of the few countries that has this requirement. Disclosure requires lobbyists and government officials to rationalize their actions under the law.  

The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 is a law that was enacted to ensure a level of accountability for practices of lobbying in the United States. The law was changed in 2007 by the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act. The law now states that lobbyists are required to register with the United States House of Representatives and Senate clerks. Lobbyists who fail to register are subject to fines and penalties of up to fifty thousand dollars. Clerks are required to report all non-registered lobbyists to the United States Attorney's office in Washington D.C. Although the guidelines are strict, these laws do not include lobbyists who work only part time or less than 20% on the job.  

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