interest group
an organization of people with shared policy goals entering the policy process at several points to try to achieve those goals
pluralist theory
a theory of government and politics emphasizing that politics is mainly competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies
elite theory
a theory of government and politics contending that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule, regardless of the formals niceties of governmental organization
hyperpluralist
a theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened
subgovernments
a network of groups within the American political system that exercise a great deal of control over specific policy areas. Also known as iron triangles, they are composed of interest group leaders interested in a particular policy
potential group
all the people who might be interest group members because they share some common interest. Always larger than an actual group.
actual group
that part of the potential group consisting of members who actually join
collective good
somethign of value (money, a tax write-off, prestige, clean air, and so on) that cannot be withheld from a group member
free-rider problem
the problem faced by unions and other groups when people do not join because they can benefit from the group's activities without officially joining. The bigger the group, the more serious the problem.
Olson's law of large groups
Advanced by Mancur Olson, a principle stating that "the large the group, the further it will fall short of providing an optimal amount of collective good
selective benefits
Goods (such as information, publications, travel discounts, and group insurance rates) that a group can restrict to those who pay their annual dues
single-issue groups
groups that have a narrow interest, tend ot dislike compromise, and often draw membership from people new to politics. These features distinguish them from traditional interest groups
lobbying
according to Lester Millbrath, a "communication, by someone other than a citizen acting on his own behalf, directed to a governmental decision marker with the hope of influencing his decision
electioneering
direct group involvement in the electoral process. Groups can help fund campaigns, provide testimony, and get members to work for the candidates, and some form political action committees
Political Action Committees (PAC)
Political funding vehicles created by the 1974 political campaign finance reforms. A corporation, union, or some other interest group can create this and Federal Election Commission, which will meticulously monitor the groups expenditures
amicus curiae briefs
legal briefs submitted by a "friend of the court" for the purpose of raising additional points of view and presenting information not contained in the briefs and the formal parties. these briefs attempt to influence a court's decision
class action suits
lawsuits permitting a small number of people to sue on behalf of all other people similarly situated
union shop
a provision found in some collective bargaining agreements requiring all employees of a business to join the union within a short period, usually 30 days, and to remain members as a condition of employment
right-to-work law
a state law forbidding requirements that workers must join a union to hold their jobs. State right-to-work laws were specifically permitted by the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947.
public interest lobbies
according to Jeffery Berry, organizations that seek "a collective good, the achievement of which will not selectively and materially benefit the membership or activities of the organization