APA US Government Interest Groups

Running head: US GOVERNMENT INTEREST GROUPS

US government interest groups

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US GOVERNMENT INTEREST GROUPS 2

1. Define an interest group, with examples

An interest group is an organization whose members share a mutual interest and function

together to safeguard and foster that interest by influencing the government. An interest group is

also known as a special interest group. Special interest groups bridge the gap between the general

public and lawmakers by seeking to influence and impact public opinion, public policy, as well

as elections. Interest groups have different sizes, memberships, formal, informal, resources and

shapes (Sidlow & Henschen, 2008). Interest groups are generally categorized into two broad

groups; these are the economic and noneconomic groups

Economic groups

Economic interest groups safeguard some sort economic merit for their members and are

the most common kind of special interest groups. In capitalist societies like America, money

occupies a central position, and thus economic groups are many and very influential. Economic

groups are well financed as members are willing to part with money with the hope of garnering

greater political benefit. Economic groups operate to attain private goods where only members

of the group will enjoy (Paddock, 2005).

Business groups

Business groups seek to influence the government on policies regarding the economy and

business. For instance, the National Manufacturers Association operates to limit the government

regulation in the manufacturing industry in America (Miller, nd).

Labor groups

US GOVERNMENT INTEREST GROUPS 3

A labor group represents unions that operate to enhance the wages and promote favorable

working conditions for skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled employees. AFL-CIO is one of the

biggest labor groups in America.

Agricultural groups

An agricultural group represents the interests of farmers and farm businesses. The National

Farmers’ Union is the interest group that represents small scale farmers while American Farm

Bureau Federation represents the interests of large scale farmers.

Professional associations

These are official groups that formulate ground rules for a certain profession, monitor practices,

and foster standards of conduct. For instance, American Psychological Association safeguards,

regulates and fosters the rights of psychologists.

Interest groups and prescription drugs

This group plays an enormous task in governing drugs prescription, influencing drug

authorization, as well as monitoring the price and disbursement of pharmaceuticals. An example

of Interest groups and prescription drugs is the Food and Drug Administration.

Non economic groups

Non economic groups are sometimes referred to as citizen groups for they fight for

collective (public) goods, unlike economic groups that fight for private goods. Noneconomic

groups fight for diverse selective incentives such as the following. Informative benefits are the

educational and knowledge gains that members obtain after having learned pertinent issues about

them (Sidlow & Henschen, 2008). Purposive benefits are the psychological and emotional gains

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that members obtain after contributing to a worthwhile cause. Solidarity benefits are the social

gains that members get after working with friends and new people to promote a worthy cause.

Public interest groups

This class of interest group work for the good of the entire society. For instance,

Common Cause group fosters honesty and openness in the United States government. The Public

Citizen controls the government and commercial plans that impact on the public (Brunell, 2005).

Government interest groups

These kinds of groups promote the interests of other governments. For illustration, the

National Conference of State Legislators works to influence federal officials to profit their

countries and regions.

Religious groups

A religious group represents the viewpoints of their members. The National Council of

Churches seeks to advance religious institutions in America.

General welfare organizations

General welfare organizations foster the wellbeing of a certain group. For illustration, the

American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars promote the concerns and interests of veterans.

Specific causes

Specific causes influence and foster policies meant for particular causes of action. For

instance, the American Civil Liberties Union is dedicated to safeguarding the civil liberties of all

Americans.

US GOVERNMENT INTEREST GROUPS 5

2. Discuss the relation between political parties and special groups

Interest groups and political parties are constituted and formed by people who share certain

opinions concerning the government. Political parties produce candidates for holding public

offices. The association of a candidate with one party such as the republican or the democrat is

illustrative of the individual’s opinions about the government. Political parties are the standard

bearers of the principles of the American Revolution. The dominance of a certain political party

over time depends on its ability to restore the people’s confidence in the government (Brunell,

2005). Interest groups are organizations of like minded individuals who endeavor to influence

the government officials to support or oppose certain policies. Interest groups are contracted in

scope than political parties; they are formed by individuals with particular social and/or

economic interests.

Political parties are basically concerned with appointing candidates for civic office and

getting those candidates elected. Political parties are policy generalists that seek to appeal to as a

broad coalition of voters as possible. On the other hand, Special interest groups are more policy

specific. They are not restricted by the need to build a winning electoral alliance. Rather, they

embrace an assortment of techniques in a bid to shape law that is complimentary to their cause

and interests (Miller, nd). In the modern world, political parties and special groups have

developed a symbiotic relationship. This makes them similar in various ways especially through

their linkage role. Both are entities in the society that connects citizens to the government.

Political parties work in conjunction with interest groups and sometimes work in

competition with them. Masugi & Janiskee (2011) note that in the confines of state politics,

political states strength has an inverse relationship with that of interest groups. This implies that

US GOVERNMENT INTEREST GROUPS 6

if political parties in state, interest groups tend to be weak, and if interest groups are strong,

political parties tend to be weak. In other instances, interest groups have the same goals as

political parties. For illustration, the conservative Citizen Group Club for Growth shares the

same goal with the Republican Party. Their goal is to have a conservative republican candidate

hold office. Correspondingly, the AFL-CIO labor union shares the goal of electing democrats

who are favorable to labor union’s concerns to office with the Democratic Party (Nownes, 2013).

Some of the ways in which symbiotic relationship connecting political parties and interest groups

is enhanced include contributing money to a political party, spending money on behalf of the

political party, aiding candidates win office and working with party leaders in government.

3. How interest groups try to influence the president and Congress

Leaders of special interest groups and members of congress have extremely differing points

of view on the pertinent significance of each to the other. Members of the congress view interest

groups as actors influencing the legislative process. Lawmakers have to take into account appeals

from the white house, congressional political party leaders, their constituents, as well as those

from interest groups. On the other hand, interest groups perceive the congress as one of the

numerous institutions with power to determine policy outcomes (Wright, 1996). Interest groups

have to contend with the judicial system, bureaucratic agencies and the president, each of which

may exercise substantial influence over the attainment of policy goals.

Interest groups and lobbyists are advocates of various issues especially the American

elections in various ways. Interest groups have an impact on the quality of campaigns, elections

and on governing after candidates are elected. Interest groups essentially influence the manner in

which issues and problems are structured, and eventually the manner in which policy is made by

US GOVERNMENT INTEREST GROUPS 7

the congress. Interest groups promote candidates and raise money, sway voters and carry on with

their influence on the key issue campaigns after an election. They offer critical campaign

services such as advocacy advertising, polling advice and general tactical guidance for

candidates. These services continue during key issue battles in the policy process, particularly

through political action committees (PACs) (Wright, 1996).

Interest groups plays an essential role in lobbying the five main functions of the congress

namely lawmaking, representation, deliberation, oversight and education of the American

populace. Interests groups take part in the formulation of bills where active lobbying starts even

before a particular bill is introduced. Early participation allows group members identify

themselves as participants with political wealth and socioeconomic stake in an issue. In order to

be effective in influencing congress, interest groups position themselves and their institutions as

the outstanding spokespersons for particular policy proposals.

Most of the legislative work takes place at the committee level. The congress holds more

than 3,000 committee hearings each year, and interests groups are actively involved in the

hearings and proceedings. Interest groups utilize the hearings to express their preferences for or

against the anticipated or the existing policies. Special interest groups engage in congressional

hearings by sending an official to testify in person or submitting written comments to the

committee, or both. Interest groups are also positioned advantageously to handle tripartite

structure of the national government of America. The interest groups begin action in one arena as

a way of invigorating action in another. When they lose in one institutional ground, they

characteristically chase their cause in another arena.

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Special interests also influence the president and the congress through participation in court

cases. They may directly in courts as either defendants or plaintiffs in a certain case. For

illustration, the Sierra Club or the Consumer Union is permitted to institute litigation on injury

caused on their members (Paddock, 2005). Indirectly, interest groups may influence policy

through courts by being amicus curiae or friends of the court on certain matters affecting their

members.

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References

Brunell, T.L (2005). The relationship between political parties and interest groups: explaining

patterns of PAC contributions to candidates for congress. Political research quarterly,

58,4: 681-688.

Janiskee, B.P. & Masugi, K. (2011). Democracy in California: Politics and Government in the

Golden State. Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers press.

Miller, B. (nd). Political parties v. special interest groups. Retrieved on June 1, 2013 from<

https://www.msu.edu/~bamiller/civics/Miller-

Politcal%20Parties%20v%20Interest%20Groups.pdf>.

Nownes, A.J. (2013). Interest Groups in American Politics: Pressure and Power. London:

Routledge press.

Paddock, J. (2005). State and National Parties & American Democracy. NY: Peter Lang press.

Sidlow, E.I. & Henschen, B. (2008). America at Odds. Connecticut: Cengage Learning press.

Wright, R.J. (1996). Interest groups and congress. Retrieved on June 1, 2013 from<

http://www.polisci.ufl.edu/usfpinstitute/2009/documents/readings/wright1996.pdf>.

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