American Interest Groups Essay Example

interest groups require significant power and influence. Their main goals are to safeguard their rights, promote their interests, and participate in politics. Hence, establishing constructive relationships with current and future governments is vital for attaining their objectives. The most critical resource for interest groups is their capacity to exert influence by convincing politicians who may not initially endorse the group's ideas.

Within this discussion, we will analyze the methods of persuasion utilized by interest groups in influencing policy. These groups must identify shared interests, values, beliefs, or objectives with politicians that will be mutually favorable or self-promoting. Through their persuasive abilities, interest groups hold the power to influence policies. This essay will initially explore direct methods implemented by interest groups to impact policy.

In this section, we will highlight the involvement of lobbyists in engaging in direct actions to influence the political process. It will also address the occurrence of illegal actions employed sometimes for this purpose. Additionally, we will discuss the indirect approaches that interest groups utilize, executed by external contributors but authorized by the group. Lastly, we will examine factors beyond the reach of interest groups that impact policy, providing real-life instances for all of these examples. Ronald J.

Hreberna's "Interest group politics in America" book highlights the role of interest groups in the success or failure of bills in congress and state legislature. Lobbyists are seen as active participants who engage in debates and voting on proposed legislation. Despite this, interest groups do not have actual seats in congress and must rely on their persuasive abilities to sway those with voting power.

When evaluating the power of an interest group, two elements are considered: quantity and

quality. Despite common assumptions, a group's impact is not solely determined by the number of participants. Instead, it depends on the caliber of members- including their assertiveness, financial status, and social standing. Nevertheless, the most successful groups will possess both a substantial quantity of members and a significant number of affluent and passionate individuals.

Previously, bribery was prevalent in the nineteenth century as it provided a speedy way to gain approval for decisions. However, nowadays interest groups refrain from using such unethical tactics due to their inherent risks. These groups abide by the law to validate their demands and since 1995 with the introduction of the Lobbying Disclosure Act, Congress has been able to scrutinize their undertakings. Interest groups must now report all pertinent information about their activities clearly and concisely. Nonetheless, it is noteworthy that despite these regulations, some lobbyists still unlawfully influence policymakers.

Bribing scandals continue to occur in relation to lobbyists and politicians. Interest groups typically use two methods of lobbying, the first being the direct strategy in which they approach public policymakers directly. This direct method is divided into two parts: (i) direct contact with bureaucratic actors and (ii) direct contact with politicians and their parties. Direct actions involve two main individuals - the lobbyist and decision maker - and can take the form of private meetings, establishing contact, or formalizing a request. Interest groups might invite policymakers or other government figures to events such as an "expedition", "bars' meeting", or "exotic destination conference" (as detailed in American Government and Politics Today, p. 233).

Building a good relationship with powerful people for the long term is a top strategy. According to Ronald J. Hrebenar

in his book, Charles Walker, a renowned lobbyist, would reserve a table at a well-known restaurant near K-Street, the most prominent lobbyist street in Washington DC, to attract some of the most influential figures to meet with him. Lobbyists focus on building sturdy and lasting relationships with policymakers since influencing someone is not a short-term task. They understand that one policymaker can reject a bill one day and protect another bill the next. We can observe APAIC’s exceptional approach to influencing policymakers as an example.

Since the 1950s, an organization promoting Israel's interests has wielded significant influence in the US with a budget of over $40 million per year. Its importance to America stems from oil exploitation and strategic support received from Israel during the Cold War. At present, the US provides aid worth over $3 billion annually to Israel which equates to roughly $500 per Israeli citizen. (Adapted from "The Israel Lobby" by John J. Mearsheimer and Stephen M., published in the London Review of Books)

The United States' dependence on Israel is rooted in the idea that without its help, America would not wield much power in the Middle East. Nevertheless, this reliance has become a source of embarrassment for Congress since it is required to allocate billions of dollars annually to Israel, making it an ongoing burden. As a result of this historical precedence, the US often grants significant concessions and votes for bills aligned with Israel's interests. Mike Gravel, a previous Democratic presidential nominee, claims that lobbyists craft and adopt roughly one hundred pro-Israel resolutions each year within Congress.

Interest groups use various tactics to influence legislators. One strategy is to provide lawmakers with

the results of their studies and interpretations. Since conducting these studies can be time-consuming and challenging, policymakers may welcome the support and attempt to take credit for the findings. Interest groups also offer assistance in drafting speeches, writing bills, and testifying, all with the goal of persuading lawmakers to adopt their proposals. Additionally, interest groups may recruit members of congress at the end of their terms, which is a highly effective method for achieving their goals. (Source: American Government and Politics Today, Bardes, Shelley, Schmitd, p233; Palestine Chronicle website)

According to the "Roll Call" in the Congress Paper, interest groups have recruited 25% of former congress members since the early 1990s. Former members provide valuable inside knowledge on how current members can be influenced and maintain good relationships with them. This greatly enhances the power of interest groups. On certain mutual concerns, interest groups often ally themselves with other groups. For example, in the 1990s, environmental, labor, and consumer groups formed the Citizens Trade Campaign to oppose the North American Free Trade Agreement, as stated in "American Government and Politics Today" (p234).

Alliances offer a clear benefit by uniting multiple members and bolstering the importance of their argument. Supporting a candidate during election season is a highly effective means for interest groups to impact policies. These groups can provide campaign resources and act as representatives for the candidate, appearing as valid party members. Such action can generate favorable public opinion, with the added benefit that if elected, the candidate is likely to prioritize the interests of lobbyists. However, involvement in election campaigns is not the only way interest groups can participate in shaping political outcomes.

Business groups can

provide soft money donations as a means of backing candidates or parties. Democratic and republican campaigns received more than $1,233,136,672 in the year 2000 from these groups (Source: Interest group politics in America p110-115). It should be noted that this type of donation is permitted in only thirty states and banned in all other states. Money has substantial sway and is crucial to how lobbyists function within the United States.

The authorities can scrutinize the accounts and transactions of interest groups, which may damage the interest group's reputation nationwide. The Republican Party and Jack Abramoff, a former lobbyist, were involved in recent scandals. Abramoff, who was once the director of the National Centre for Public Policy Research, corrupted policymakers for years by offering them free access to lodges in sports stadiums that he rented for more than $1 million annually. He also connected policymakers with wealthy Indian tribes who were concerned about the future of their Las Vegas industry.

The Indian tribes aimed to safeguard their enterprises from competing establishments. As per le Monde's website of October 31, 2006, Abramoff was discovered and convicted for fraud, tax evasion and scheming to bribe officials. Such instances shed light on the illicit undertones present in techniques adopted by interest groups to exert direct influence.

Summing up this section, the direct method involves actions aimed at policymakers and is suitable for persuasive interest groups that have a large membership base and strong connections with policymakers. However, it is important to note that excessive contact and policy stakes may result in unlawful actions. On the other hand, the indirect method is popular among interest groups due to the widespread use of technology

such as the internet, satellite, and television.

The indirect method, which includes advertising in national magazines and newspapers, mass mailing, television, demonstrations, think tanks, public relations, and public opinion, provide information more easily than any other system. For instance, a print media advertisement from the Chemical Manufacturers Association, as featured in Ronald J. Hrebenar’s book “Interest group politics in America,” highlights the importance of addressing the remaining 7% of toxic chemical waste after successfully keeping 93% out of the environment.

Many examples similar to this one can be cited. Utilizing television as a medium for communication by interest groups is a commendable technique for several reasons. Firstly, the public can view it and form their own opinions, increasing the pressure on policymakers who may wrongly assume the support of public opinion. Secondly, media holds an advantage of scale where it is widely read, seen, and heard. Overall, television continues to be the most effective medium for interest groups to communicate their concerns with a large audience.

Despite the high cost, interest groups recognize the significance of influencing policy and affecting the public. Darell West's "How Issues Ads Have Reshaped American Politics" reveals that approximately a quarter of all political ads aired on television during the 1996 campaign were financed by interest groups. The health insurance reform debate involving former President Bill Clinton and the American Federation illustrates television's effectiveness in shaping opinions. The President aimed to overhaul the entire healthcare insurance system with American Federation's backing.

To support the benefits of the proposed reform, a TV advertisement was created at a cost of $10 million. The main objective of the reform was to lower the

expenses associated with social security coverage, and then distribute the savings among the entire population's security coverage, particularly those who were underprivileged. However, the National Federation of Independent Firms and the Association of the National Insurance invested millions of dollars to reject this proposed reform, arguing that it would result in unnecessary expenditure, and increase the government's authority. This example is sourced from the e-newspaper of the American information agency.

The "Public Annenberg Policy Centre" at the University of Pennsylvania has revealed that interest groups are investing significant amounts of money in TV ads to sway policymakers. In 1995 and 1996, a minimum of thirty-one lobbies spent approximately $135 million to $150 million on advertisements, mostly on television. (Democratie et Droit de L’Homme p. 4, 16)

About one-third of the $400 million spent by candidates on federal electoral campaigns in a certain period was used for publicity. Lobbyists have not ignored the increase in email usage. They have a standard format for expressing opinions and exerting influence through email, and not just the leaders, but all members of the lobby can do so. This allows for easier information dissemination among members regarding actions proposed by their leaders, thereby strengthening the group's unity through faster interaction.

Over the past decade, think-tanks have become increasingly significant. While initially organized for intensive research and problem-solving in technology, social or political strategy, or armament, some think-tanks have evolved into interest groups. The American Heritage Dictionary defines a think-tank as a group or institution focused on solving complex issues. In certain instances, think-tanks can act like interest groups and receive funding for research from them. For example, The Heritage Foundation

conservative think-tank produced numerous publications over five years, including hardcover books, monographs, analytical papers, newsletters, and a quarterly journal on policymaking. They also created a 3000 page statement titled "Mandate for Leadership," which served as a roadmap for Ronald Reagan's congressional battle and proved successful.

(Source: Interest group politics in America p. 113) Think-tanks can be utilized by interest groups to perform some of their responsibilities and decrease their visibility in congress. This creates the impression that policy is being influenced by another entity instead of the interest group. Additionally, a public interest association resembling an interest group can be identified from the American information agency's e-newspaper.

On page 19 of Democratie et Droit de L’Homme, James A. Turber, director of the lobbying institute study centre, identifies the "Citizens for Sensible Control of Acid Rain" as a group financed by the coal and electricity industry. The group's purpose was to pressure policymakers into refraining from passing a bill aimed at improving air cleanliness.

In this scenario, certain associations operate similarly to interest groups, although they are not. These associations assist interest groups by sharing the burden of influencing the political process. It may be construed as an additional tactic employed by interest groups. Furthermore, Public Relations is an effective method for interest groups to generate positive public sentiment. Interest groups frequently engage prominent PR firms in New York to promote their concerns in exchange for large sums of money.

During the 70s, the Argentine government sought to improve foreign investment and U.S. government support despite their poor economic situation by enlisting the help of an American lobbyist PR firm. As noted in Interest Group Politics in America, the firm

succeeded in their job. It should also be noted that policymakers are greatly influenced by opinion polls.

Interest groups utilize opinion polls to gauge the sentiments of those directly affected by policies passed or rejected in Congress. In order to pass a desired bill, interest groups could conduct an opinion poll and if 70% of those surveyed agree with the bill then it becomes difficult for any policymaker to disregard such a significant portion of their constituents. Conversely, opposing a majority of 70% could prove detrimental. The use of various media channels, including television and opinion polls, is the most effective way of indirect persuasion. As technology advances at a rapid pace, interest groups must continually assess their resources to ensure they remain current with the times.

Without a doubt, interest groups have employed various tactics to sway policymakers and are now an indispensable part of the political system. Their influence has grown considerably over the past two centuries since James Madison's time and up to George Bush's presidency. By acting as intermediaries between citizens and politics, these groups perform a critical function in ensuring democracy operates smoothly.

Interest groups have different approaches to influencing government policies. Those with strong connections to important figures, ample resources, and powerful leaders may choose the direct method which involves proximity and good relations with the government. Wealthy groups that have active members may use the media as a means of persuasion or influence through the indirect method.

In recent years, interest groups have recognized society's adoption of new technologies and successfully utilized the indirect method to actively participate in policy debates resulting in positive outcomes.

It is essential to acknowledge that interest groups

are not solely responsible for policy changes. According to Bardes, Shelley, and Schmidt's book, factors such as technological advancements, diversified state economies, an affluent society growth rate, higher education systems and population mobility must also be considered.

The political process will be influenced and future processes affected by demographic and economic changes. Interest groups will utilize these factors to increase their influence, as noted in American Government and Politics Today (pp. 233-240) by Bardes, Shelley, Schmitd, Interest Group Politics in America (pp. 100-120) by Ronald J. Hrebenar, and "How Issues Ads Have Reshaped American Politics" in Democracy in America Volume 1 by Alexis de Tocqueville author Darell West.

Discover useful insights into the influence of interest groups on state administrative rule making and policy variation in the United States by visiting these links. The first link will lead you to arp.sagepub.com, while the second link can be found at polisci.msu.edu/research/interest-groups-state-administrative-rule-making-policy-variation.

Visit the following link to find Lewis's paper for SPPC 05.06: edu/sppc2005/papers/friam/Lewis.

pdf •The Question of Interest Group Influence ANDREAS DUR, DIRK DE BIEVRE: http://journals.cambridge.org/download.php?file=%2FPUP%2FPUP27_01%2FS0143814X07000591a.df&code=22512130395d0d37a8274c4fdfabca59 •Democratie et droits de l’homme, Journal electronique de l’agence d’information des Etats-Unis : e-newspaper of the American information agency http://usinfo.state.

The links that are currently available consist of:
• gov/journals/itdhr/0698/ijdf/frtoc.htm
• http://www.lemonde.fr/web/article/0,1-0@2-829254,36-829400@51-829610,0/

Access the article "The Israel Lobby" by Stephen M. Walt at http://www.palestinechronicle.com, which was originally published in the London Review of Books.

Here are two sources that provide information on the definition of a think tank: http://www.com/story-100607161316. and http://ask.yahoo.com/20041115.