Special interests - Assignment Example

Special Interests SPECIAL INTERESTS Reaction to order # 1116619 While there is evidence of policy and legislative outcomes not correlating with public opinion, the public is still able to portend influence on policy and legislation in other ways. One of these methods is through the use of interest groups, which have measurable and significant influence on the executive and Congress. The preference of the general public may not always influence the conduct of the government as most citizens do not have autonomous and strong preferences regarding most public issues (Lowi et al, 2013). On the other hand, special interest groups are organized groups formed by individual citizens with strong preferences, with the objective of increasing the chance of having their interests heard by government. These special interest groups seek support from the rest of the public on various issues, representing interests and preferences of significant portions of American society. However, other special groups representing similarly significant portions of American society with differing views from the former also exist, which is the hallmark of a democracy. When one of these special interest groups represents a part of the American public that is more wealthy and powerful, they are able to wield more influence by supporting campaigns for the executive and Congress, for example. Thus, there usually is more than one interest group seeking to influence policy on government spending, welfare reform, and foreign policy. Normally, the government is responsive to the part of the public, whether liberal or conservative, that wields the most influence over it through interest groups. This is why, the government, for example, may be seen as being less responsive to the opinion of part of the population, such as with regards to gun control where the NRA represents a very influential and wealthy part of the American public. Second Part In democratic countries, especially the US, the people can express their preferences even after the elections by directly contacting the officials they elected concerning specific issues. Most of these activities in the United States are carried out by organized and enduring efforts coordinated by special interest groups, which brings together individuals with a common goal to seek collective action from elected officials. Special interest groups are associations whose members have shared concerns and attempt to influence government policies that impact these specific concerns (Lowi et al, 2013). While elected officials often complain that special interests have undue influence on US politics, interest groups work closely with the administration and Congress in drafting policy initiatives and legislation. In addition, they also provide the public and the government with information on an array of issues, while also substantially contributing to political campaigns. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number special interest groups, especially with almost all segments of society in the US represented by a special interest group (Lowi et al, 2013). One way of classifying special interest groups is by the groups they represent. Some groups are directly interested in economic policies taken by the government and get their support from producers and manufacturers in specific sectors of the economy, such as the National Federation of Independent Business that represents owners of small businesses (Lowi et al, 2013). Other groups represent labour organizations, such as the AFL-CIO and the Teamsters Union, which attempt to influence government policy on behalf of organized labour. In addition, professional interest groups like the American Medical Association and the American Bar Association have also been very active in attempting to influence policy at the levels of state and federal governments. For instance, the AMA has been opposed to socialized medicine and Medicare in favour of fee-for-service. Further, special interest groups seeking to represent the interests of some groups that are not represented traditionally by special interest groups have also come up (Lowi et al, 2013). These include groups that are involved in environmental policy and consumer protection, as well as civil liberties, nuclear disarmament and abortion. In the past seventy years, one of the most-enduring debates in the US has been about the proper role of special interest groups in a democratic society. While interest groups contend that they give valuable services to government officials and legislators by raising questions regarding executive actions and pending legislations, critics argue that these groups are mere influence peddlers seeking legislative and political favors for those they represent (Lowi et al, 2013). Recent perceptions seem to hold that special interest groups have corrupted the political process, which has resulted in a push for federal and state regulations to regulate special interest groups. One of the groups that have been targeted by those pushing for regulation is super PACs, which were created in 2010 after the outcome of SpeechNow.orf v. Federal Election Commission. They are allowed to raise unlimited funds from associations, unions, and corporations with vested interests in government policy (Lowi et al, 2013), after which they can spend it overtly in advocating against or for preferred candidates. In Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, the Supreme Court gave special interest groups increased ability to spend freely during federal elections. This was a significant turnaround, which threatened more than a hundred years of efforts by the government to regulate corporate power in bankrolling US politics (Lowi et al, 2013). The decision altered the election calculus radically by offering a broader range of special interest groups increased flexibility in spending; especially those that seek increased prominence in the crowded political debate in the US. Under the ruling, any group representing special interest can donate unlimited funds to campaign committees, thus giving them influence over future government policy and legislation in Congress. The only restriction on their activities is with regards to requirements that donors must be permanent US residents or citizens. However, there is a need for some degree of additional regulation on super PACs in order to enhance legitimacy in government and preserve the process of democracy (Lowi et al, 2013). Legitimacy of the government will be enhanced by lessening the perception that only special interest groups can access the executive and Congress. For the most part, special interest groups like super PACs need not be regulated because of their importance to democracy after elections. These groups represent American citizens with opinions and have the right to be heard by Congress and the government. It is essential in any democracy to have a way for people to convey their opinions and concerns to the government (Lowi et al, 2013). However, it is also important to note that the amount of funds special interest groups inject into political campaigns with a view of influencing future policy may be problematic. Because the Supreme Court ruled that the First Amendment protects spending and cannot be regulated in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, this may be difficult. Thus, the most-effective way to regulate such interest groups would be through enhancing transparency in their spending through disclosure of donors. This is because, even with the First Amendment, it is possible to evaluate free speech both in writing and verbally as the individuals involved are known. Thus, Americans should have information about those who pay information to be disseminated as political ideas. Reference Lowi, T. J., Ginsberg, B., & Shepsle, K. A. (2013). American government: Power & purpose. New York: W. W. Norton & Co. Read More