The Importance of Interest Groups in Politics and in Political Science - Essay Example

Running head: Interest Groups Interest Groups John Q. Wright In the paper, interest groups are discussed and their intrinsic relationship with political parties is detailed. Finally, the impact of interest groups on the policy making of the Congress is evaluated. Interest Groups Introduction Interest Groups are also referred to as Special Interest Groups or Pressure groups, and include any association formed by individuals in a formal method. They have a set of goals and objectives and try to improve and influence public policy in a way that is favorable to them. According to Kollman (1998), the common aim of all the interest groups will cast an effect on the government policy in a way that will be advantageous to them or such that they help the causes for which they are set up. The aims and objectives of Interest groups are set in such a way so as to benefit the group members or a specific portion of society, for example procuring government subsidies to farmers. There are also issues which cover the public interest in the broader sense such as improving air quality. Berry (1999) believes that the interest groups in the United States act as mediators in conveying the opinion and requirements of the common man to the elected representatives. Individuals can find an interest group that can address or focus on his personal problem. The directories of American Voluntary Associations provide an overview of what these interest group associations aim at and why they are formed. The Gale Research Encyclopedia of Associations is considered as the most acceptable listing of interest groups. Most of these groups seek to influence the public policies. Prior to 1970, the records in America had information on interest groups which were actively involved in business, labor and agriculture. As per the findings of Baumgartner and Leech (1998), the interest group universe has become more complicated since then. With the industrialization, the agricultural groups have started dwindling and have lost influence in the United States. Large number of new interest groups has come into existence, some of them are mentioned below: Business The large multinational corporations have much influence and say, states Sinclair (2000). These companies will be generally members in more than one trade association. These associations represent the view of the industry they are associated with. The National Association of Manufacturers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are supported by the big corporations and these “umbrella” groups represent and speak on behalf of the entire business community, believes Victor (2001). Labor Unions The labor unions which started gaining momentum during the early 20th century accelerated and gained important place in the American political system after 1930. Professional Associations Professionals also form interest groups which play a major role. According to Wright (1996), they focus on collective interests, for example the American Medical Association and American Bar Association. Their main focus will be based on their professions. On the other hand, the interest groups in the public sector are better organized, but they are not as powerful. Intergovernmental Groups There are groups like the National Governors’ Association (NGA) and the National Conference of State Legislatures which represent state officials. They work more towards their interests at the national level. Public Interest Groups Many public groups like the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Children’s Defense Fund and Public Citizen have come into existence which are called ‘Public Interest Groups’. These started becoming active since 1970 and are growing rapidly. There are also government interest groups like National League of Cities, the National Conference of Mayors and the National Governors Association which are functioning presently. Moreover, there are Left Interest Groups such as ACLU, Green Peace, Move On, Wes Pac and Right Interest Groups such as NRA, Club of Growth, Heritage Foundation and Gov. Not God. The PAC or the Political Action Committees have grown in number and power in the past few years. These may be independent groups which are associated for a single cause or a set of causes. They have gained power as they contribute money to political campaigns for U.S. Congress or the Presidency. Difference between Interest Groups and Political Parties The interest group and political parties are different from each other in a significant manner. Political parties have more flexibility whereas special interest groups stick to their needs and achieving their aims. The flexibility of the political parties is because they can redefine their goals as and when necessary. This aspect gives a more political touch to the parties than interest groups. Members of the political party have the option to interact, change and redefine their views. But special interest groups do not have this option. They have to focus on their set aims. Despite the certain similarities between political parties and interest groups, interest groups cannot be completely political. An interest group consists of persons who want to address a common problem and need to act on that. The group is held together by this common interest. Since interest groups are based on a common issue, they are always identified by their aims and objectives. For example, ‘Accuracy in Media’ is an interest group which insists on ‘setting the record straight on important issues that have received prejudiced coverage’ as per the view of the members. By availing membership in this interest group, it is endorsed that the media is applying a liberal bias to the news. The members have to bind to this rule; the other option available is they can quit. The policies of the government are directed by the organized group generally. There are no issues predefined in case of political parties. They associate with the common philosophies of the people. The parties can afford to change their opinion about a particular issue and still retain the name of the party. The members will have the option to continue as members, though they change their views. It is not necessary in a political party that all members agree to all the views defined by the party. They can continue to be members and conduct and participate in discussion on varied topics. The other important difference between a political party and an interest group is that in an interest group, the interaction between the members and the group leaders is limited, which is not so in political parties. Bigger interest groups keep in touch with the members by way of mails and other publication options available. The leadership of the interest group depends on some informal means for getting the feedback from the members. They also exert control over the membership sentiments by means of publications. Most of the members of the interest group do not debate about the changes required in an interest group. When there is disagreement, in most of the cases, the members opt out of the group. There is no space for interaction in this type of atmosphere that will encourage politics. Contrastingly, political parties collect the opinion of the members in an organized method. From time to time, members of the political parties assembly at different levels to discuss the party’s aims and objectives, views and tasks. Arguments sometimes take place and there will be agreements and disagreements and also compromises. This takes place at all levels of membership till the top level. As there is space for interaction available here, there is also politics involved. It is to be accepted that there is a nexus between political parties and interest groups. Most of the times, they are hand in glove with each other as their goals and activities are similar. But the design of political parties is entirely different from interest groups. Political parties have scope for action, speech and can be flexible which makes them different from the interest groups. Interest Groups and the Congress According to Ainsworth (1993), Interest groups have a major contribution of finance for the political parties in their campaigning activities, which results in a sort of exchange of benefits. The interest groups influence the decision making and implementation of certain legislation to be passed, and the politicians then in return expect their support during the next election. It is an important aspect that interest groups have financial contribution to the political group, but the interest group also gets the benefits. The interest groups provide guidance to the Congress, depending on the experience of the interest group members. This can be cited by an example: suppose crime increases immensely, prompting some member to propose that every mobile phone should have a special button of 911 on them. These results in the bill being introduced and sent to a committee found appropriate for this task. The committee then holds hearings. Many interest groups are called to give their opinion about this action; each group provides their opinion about the pros and cons of the bill. For example, a group may point out a situation wherein the 911 call from a cell phone is not helpful at all, since it’s getting routed to a distant place distant from the place where the caller is located. Additionally, the interest groups provide testimony and also answer questions in the most informal way. The members of a political group or a Congressman does everything with the aim of getting re-elected whereas the interest group member wants the law which is favorable for him to be brought into action. This makes the interest groups to lobby the Congressional Committees to get the rule enacted as per their wish. The interest groups offer funding for the future campaigns as a return for the favor they receive. They also assure large voting banks during election. Conclusion Thus the interest groups have major contribution in making legislations. They almost dictate what has to be done and the politicians just act as per the requirements of the interest group. The best example for this would be that the popular legislation named No Child Left Behind, which was the brain child of an interest group called Business Round Table. The Congress voted for this based on a whiff of information. Many who voted for this legislation knew nothing much about this and also it was not written by any member of Congress. This example clearly shows that the interest groups cast their influence over legislative actions. Through this means, they usher in benefits to the industry or company they lobby for. References Ainsworth, S. (1993).Regulating Lobbyists and Interest Group Influence, Journal of Politics 55:41-56. Baumgartner, F. R. and Leech, B. L. (1998). Basic Interests: The Importance of Groups in Politics and in Political Science, Princeton: Princeton University Press. Berry, Jeffrey. (1999). The New Liberalism: The Rising Power of Citizen Groups. Washington, DC: The Brookings Institution Press. Kollman, Kenneth. (1998). Outside Lobbying: Public Opinion and Interest Group Strategies. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Sinclair, Barbara. (2000). Unorthodox Lawmaking: New Legislative Processes in the US Congress, 2nd ed. Washington DC: Congressional Quarterly Press. Victor, Jennifer Nicoll. (2001). The Challenges of Evaluating Interest Group Influence in Congress: A Study of the 106th House Resources Committee. Presented at the 2001 Midwest Political Science Association Meetings in Chicago, Ill (April 18-22) Wright, R. John. (1996). Interest Groups & Congress: Lobbying, Contributions, and Influence. Boston: Allyn and Bacon Read More