Thought Leadership
Political Interest Groups
A political interest group is any organized group of individuals who share common goals and who seek to influence the government’s decision making. For example, the National Rifle Association, the Sierra Club, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce etc. Even college students are represented by interest groups - for instance, the coalition of Independent College and University Students and the United States Student Association.
Interest
groups differ from political parties. The party’s ultimate goal is to contest
and win elections in order to control and operate government. On the other
hand, interest groups put forth a limited set of demands. Interest groups do
not run candidates for office or attempt to control or operate government.
Their primary concern is to influence policy that affects their own area of
interest.
Interest
groups differ in size, make-up and varying objectives. They play a prominent
role in making members of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of
government more aware of the needs and concerns of various segments of the
population. Interest groups believe that common goals are best served by
collective action.
Economic Interest Groups
Among
interest groups, business labor, professional, and agricultural groups are the
most enduring and powerful types. There
are numerous corporations that employ lobbyists who address their concerns in
Washington. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has a membership of more than 250,000
individuals and companies; the business Roundtable is made up of approximately
200 of the largest industrial, commercial, and financial business in the
nation; and many other groups. These associations represent some of the
collective interests of corporate America. Interest groups are particular about
government regulations that may affect the way a company does business. The
National Cable Television Association, for example, closely monitors government
regulations covering the cable industry regulations that may have an impact on
its cost of operations and earning capacity.
The American
Federation of Labor and Congress of industrial organizations (AFL-CIO) is an
umbrella organization consisting of ninety-six labor unions. It has more than
17 million members. Along with the United Auto Workers, the Teamsters, and many
other labor organizations, the AFL-CIO has for many years represented the
interests of labor in the state capitals and in Washington. Individual labor
unions also lobby independently of the umbrella groups. Professional associations also bring the
economic interests of their particular membership to the government’s
attention. Two of the most powerful groups, the American Bankers Association
and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America have larger lobbying budget as
well as full time staff in Washington and in many state capitals.
Citizen Activist Groups
Not all
shared interests are purely economic. Some citizen activist groups represent
interests which they feel may affect the general public .Therefore, they are
also called Public interest groups. Public
interest groups such as Common Cause have always tried to represent what they
see as the public’s interests on such issues as civil rights, consumer
protection, campaign reform, etc.
Single Issue Groups
A cause with
an extremely narrow focus becomes known as a single issue group. For example, the
National Rifle Association (NRA) and the Gun Owners of America work to preserve
the right of Americans to own handguns and rifles. The National Abortion Rights
Action League (NARAL) fight for legislation and court decisions that protect
the right of women to have abortions.
Some citizen
activist groups serve as advocates for persons who may be unable to represent
their own interests individually. For instance, the National Association for
the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Child Welfare League of America,
and the American Cancer Society assist their target populations by lobbying,
providing the public with information, and taking cases to court. Other
advocacy groups focus on such issues as women’s rights, gay rights, and racial
equality etc. Many of their supporters may not benefit directly from their
advocacy role, however they believe in the goals of the group.
Government Related Interest
Groups
Governments
not only receive pressure from lobbyists; they also act as lobbyists. San
Francisco, Baltimore, Chicago, etc. are only a partial list of cities that have
lobbyists representing their interest in Washington on concern ranging from
budget and appropriation legislation to welfare, housing, and transportation.
In addition,
a number of associations of government officials represent the collective
interest of their members. These organizations include the U.S. Conference of
Mayors, the International City Management Association, etc. As local and state
governments have come to depend on Washington for funds, the need for effective
representation has increased and lobbies have become the principal means of
achieving that representation.
Lobbyists
A lobbyist is
an individual who works for a specific interest group or who serve as the
spokesperson for a specific set of interests. Lobbyists engage in the act of
lobbying that is, they try to affect government decision making by influencing
legislators and members of the executive branch to support or reject certain
policies or legislation. Some interest groups maintain their own staff of full
time lobbyists; others hire a lobbying firm to represent them in Washington or
in various state capitals. Increasingly, lobbying has become a professional,
full time occupation. Many lobbyists are lawyers, former members of the
executive branch or of congress, and former employees of the hundreds of
federal agencies. Government experience and contacts, along with an accumulated
expertise, are valuable assets of lobbying strategies.