5.15 Types of Interest Groups

Announcements:

READING: 283-305 in Edwards

Unit Five Identification Terms

Today's Essential Question: How do interest groups influence policy making?

Learning Standards:
PMI-5.F: Explain how variation in types and resources of interest groups affects their ability to influence elections and policy making.

PMI-5.E.2: In addition to working within party coalitions, interest groups exert influence through
long-standing relationships with bureaucratic agencies, congressional committees, and other
interest groups; such relationships are described as “iron triangles” and issue networks
and they help interest groups exert influence across political party coalitions.

PMI-5.F.1: Interest group influence may be impacted by:

• Inequality of political and economic resources
• Unequal access to decision makers
• “Free rider” problem

Types of Interest Groups & Their Influence

5 Charts that Show How Powerful the NRA is

Frontline has an excellent documentary on the rise of the NRA as a political force and its actions in response to tragedies at Columbine High School and Sandy Hook elementary.

The Washington Post has a good infographic that demonstrates the NRA's use of money in electing pro-gun rights members to Congress.



1. Vox: Why the NRA is so Powerful

2. Washington Post: NRA Tactics-Take No Prisoners

3. CBS News and the Politics of Gun Control.

4. This Week: How the NRA Won

5. NY Times: Inside the Power of the NRA

Using the above information, explain three different tactics/reasons that the NRA utilizes to help explain its success.

5.14 Lobbying Tactics

Announcements:

READING: 283-305 in Edwards

Unit Five Identification Terms

Today's Essential Question: How do interest groups influence policy making?

Learning Standards:
PMI-5.E: Explain the benefits and potential problems of interest-group influence on elections and policy making.

PMI-5.E.1: Interest groups may represent very specific or more general interests, and can educate voters and office holders, draft legislation, and mobilize membership to apply pressure on and work with legislators and government agencies.

PMI-5.E.2: In addition to working within party coalitions, interest groups exert influence through long-standing relationships with bureaucratic agencies, congressional committees, and other interest groups; such relationships are described as “iron triangles” and issue networks and they help interest groups exert influence across political party coalitions.

Lobbying Tactics

Today, we are examining how interest groups shape public policy through various lobbying tactics. 

What do the following groups have in common?

• Amateur Softball Association
• Barbeque Industry Association
• Candy Wholesalers Association
• International Assn. of Amusement Parks and Attractions
• Chocolate Manufacturers Association
• Retinitis Pigmentosa Foundation
• Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association

1. Supplying information, and even sometimes helping write legislation is a common form of lobbying. Interest groups often testify in congressional committees about the impact of proposed legislation. In addition to providing information to legislators, interest groups provide information to their members, both in the form of newsletters/magazines, and through rating/grading system of elected officials and candidates. These ratings serve as a cue for members when deciding who to vote for.

2. One way interest groups try to influence lawmakers is through direct lobbying. This involves one on one contact with legislators and is referred to as an insider strategy. Sometimes this lobbying goes too far and breaks ethical rules as evidenced by the case of Jack Abramoff. There are also complaints about the revolving door, or the frequency of former government officials moving into private lobbying firms and vice versa.

3. Other groups utilize grassroots lobbying or an outsider strategy. This involves mobilizing members to influence public opinion and put pressure on elected officials. It may include letter/phone campaigns, marches, and demonstrations.

4. Groups like the NAACP and ACLU often use litigation, or lawsuits, to achieve their policy goals. Sometimes when public opinion differs, and elected officials are reluctant to change policy or success is not obtainable through legislative or executive action, a legal remedy through the courts is the best option. Interest groups also may file amicus curiae briefs in court cases to state their position.

5. Another lobbying tactic is the use of money by interest groups or political action committees (PACs).  Billions of dollars are donated with the primary goal of access to lawmakers. Open Secrets is a great web site that illustrates the use of money in lobbying.

6. Sometimes interest groups engage in cooperative lobbying or coalition building. Multiple interest groups with disparate interests work together to achieve a common policy goal, like daylight savings time.


Review Videos:

5.13 The Mischiefs of Factions: Federalist #10

Announcements:

READING: 283-305 in Edwards

Unit Five Identification Terms

Today's Essential Question: How do we control the "mischiefs" of factions?

Learning Standards:
PMI-5.E: Explain the benefits and potential problems of interest-group influence on elections and policy making.

PMI-5.E.1: Interest groups may represent very specific or more general interests, and can educate voters and office holders, draft legislation, and mobilize membership to apply pressure on and work with legislators and government agencies.

PMI-5.E.2: In addition to working within party coalitions, interest groups exert influence through long-standing relationships with bureaucratic agencies, congressional committees, and other interest groups; such relationships are described as “iron triangles” and issue networks and they help interest groups exert influence across political party coalitions.


Federalist 10: The Mischiefs of Factions

Federalist 10 Big Ideas

We are starting our next unit--Interest Groups. Just as George Washington warned about the "baneful" effects of political parties, James Madison warns about the dangers of factions (aka interest groups) and the newly proposed Constitution's ability to mitigate them in Federalist #10.

Today in class, you will read Federalist #10. As you read (or after you are finished) please fill out this chart on Federalist #10 to help you further understand Madison's arguments.

How does Federalist 10 relate to a bucket of crabs?

Here are a couple of videos that might help you understand Federalist #10:

5.11 The Decline of Political Parties: Is the Party Over?

Announcements:

Super Tuesday: Did yesterday's results change the trajectory of the race? 

HB 1508 & 2518:  Read this article on how a group of high school students are trying to change AP credit policy in their state.

Class today: Make sure you read the articles and watch the videos on how political parties have changed in recent years. Be prepared to debate on whether political parties are on the decline or not.

READING: 218-242 in Edwards

Unit Five Identification Terms

Today's Essential Question: How have political parties changed?

Learning Standards:

PMI-5.C: Explain why and how political parties change and adapt.

PMI-5.C.1: Parties have adapted to candidate-centered campaigns, and their role in nominating candidates has been weakened.

PMI-5.C.2: Parties modify their policies and messaging to appeal to various demographic coalitions.

PMI-5.C.3: The structure of parties has been influenced by:

• Critical elections and regional realignments
• Campaign finance law
• Changes in communication and data-management technology

PMI-5.C.4: Parties use communication technology and voter-data management to disseminate, control, and clarify political messages and enhance outreach and mobilization efforts

The Decline of Political Parties?

As the charts above illustrate, the number of individuals who are identifying as independents is at an all time high. But why? What is causing the decline in party identification and what impact does that have on the political process?

Read the article, Party Decline,  to help understand some of the causes for the decline of parties over the last half century. As you read, take note how each of the following contributed to to this decline:

• The role of the media
• The rise of interest groups
• Political reforms like primaries and the Australian ballot
• Money and candidate-centered campaigns

However, not everyone believes the rise of independent voters and the decline of political parties is real. Read this article to see why.

Finally, would we be better off with a nonpartisan system? Several states (most notably the Great State of Nebraska) have adopted nonpartisan primary elections. The Atlantic takes a look at this proposed reform.

Changes in Political Party Demographics

PMI-5.C.2: Parties modify their policies and messaging to appeal to various demographic coalitions.

Look at the various charts on the Pew Research Center's study on Trends in party affiliation among demographic groups. Identify at least four different demographic groups and how their party affiliation/support has changed over time. Explain how this might affect party platforms, policies, and campaigns.

Changes in Campaigning by Parties

5.12 Why Do We Have a Two-Party System?

Announcements:

Jefferson City Hearing: You can watch a live feed of the committee hearing tonight. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 5:00pm or whenever they adjourn session (whichever is later). Click on the Upcoming Hearings link on the top right-hand side and there should be a link for the live feed. 

Email Update: We want to update the schools on our progress. 

READING: 218-242 in Edwards

Unit Five Identification Terms

Today's Essential Question: Why do we have a two-party system?

Learning Standards:
PMI-5.D: Explain how structural barriers impact third-party and independent candidate success.

PMI-5.D.1: In comparison to proportional systems, winner-take-all voting districts serve as a structural barrier to third-party and independent candidate success.

PMI-5.D.2: The incorporation of third-party agendas into platforms of major political parties serves as a barrier to third-party and independent candidate success.

Why are third parties not successful?
The United States has historically had a two-party system while almost every other country has a multi-party system. Why is that? While the US does have other smaller parties that nominate candidates, they rarely achieve any sort of electoral success. Today we are going to try and answer the question: Why a Two-Party System?

Task #1 Readings: Take some time and read the following articles. As you read, jot down in your notes reasons why a two-party system remains in place. Be prepared to answer this question on Tuesday. You should have a minimum of five reasons why we have a two-party system.

Why Only Two Parties?

Washington Post: Why Are There Only Two Parties in American Politics?

Why the Same Two-Parties Dominate our Two-Party System

SparkNotes: Two Party System (3 pages)

OpenStax 9.2 Two Party System

Use the video below and the review videos to also help answer the question.








Are there advantages to a two-party system over a multi-party system?



Videos for Review:

















Reasons for a Two-Party System:
1. The Electoral College (winner take all)
2. Single Member Districts (Congress) vs. Proportional Representation
3. Presidential Debate Rules
4. Ballot Access Laws
5. Public Finance Laws
6. History/Tradition of Two-Party System
7. "Big Tent" parties (ideological consensus)

5.11 Function & Impact of Political Parties

Announcements:

Jefferson City Committee Hearing request form

HB 2518 & 1508 Letter (USPS)

Target Letter HB 2518 & 1508 (USPS)

School Contact Spreadsheet

The address should be the top name/address on your letter. The return address is your name/LNHS school address that is listed after the date on your letter.


READING: 218-242 in Edwards

Unit Five Identification Terms

Today's Essential Question: What is the purpose of political parties?

Learning Standards:

PMI-5.B: Explain the function and impact of political parties on the electorate (voters) and government.

PMI-5.B.1: The functions and impact of political parties on the electorate and government are represented by:

• Mobilization and education of voters
• Party platforms
• Candidate recruitment
• Campaign management, including fundraising and media strategy
• The committee and party leadership systems in legislatures

Please take a few minutes and read the following: The Shape of Political Parties

“Three-headed Giant”

1. Party in the Electorate: The base of the party; the voters (self-identifying)
2. Party as an Organization: National, state, and local staff and office (DNC & RNC); decentralized
3. Party in Government: Elected officials (President, Congress members, etc) who are members of the party; helps organize; not always in agreement; spokespersons

What do political parties do? What is their function/task?

1. Nomination
2. Mobilization (get out the vote drives, education, stir up the base)
3. Party Platform

• Democratic Party Platform
• Republican Party Platform

4. Candidate recruitment
5. Campaign management (fundraising, polling, advertising, etc)
6. Organization in government (Speaker of the House, committee chairs, etc)

Which party function is most important? Why?

Additional Readings:

CliffNotes: Functions of Political Parties



Review Videos:

5.9 Citizens United and the Rise of Super PACs

Announcements:

Update on HB 1508 2518: The bill has been referred to the Higher Education Committee. We will need to specifically target schools in the committee members' districts. Check the spreadsheet to see if your school is one of them and highlight your row if it is.

Legislator look-up-verify that your school is in the representative's district. Will need school address/city.

Grassroots Lobbying: Let's send some emails and the get the word out about HB 1508 and HB 2518!
Here is the main version that most of you will use. Make sure to fill in the highlighted parts with your specific information.

Here is the targeted version for those that have a school in a district represented by one of the Higher Education committee members.

Homework: Bring in a stamped envelope and a printed copy of your letter to class on Wednesday. We will mail out hard copies then as a follow-up to the emails.

QUIZ: Thursday over campaigns and elections.

READING: 243-281 in Edwards

Unit Five Identification Terms

Today's Essential Question: How did the Citizens United case affect the role of money in elections and lead to the development of SuperPACs?

Learning Standards:

PRD-2.E.1: Federal legislation and case law pertaining to campaign finance demonstrate the ongoing debate over the role of money in political and free speech, as set forth in:

• Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, which was an effort to ban soft money and reduce attack ads with “Stand by Your Ad” provision: “I’m [candidate’s name] and I approve this message”
• Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010), which ruled that political spending by corporations, associations, and labor unions is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment

PRD-2.E.2: Debates have increased over free speech and competitive and fair elections related to money and campaign funding (including contributions from individuals, PACs, and political parties).

PRD-2.E.3: Different types of political action committees (PACs) influence elections and policy making through fundraising and spending.

Impact of Citizens United

Earlier, you looked at the recent history of government regulation of campaign finance through both legislative acts (FECA, BCRA) and Supreme Court decisions (Buckley v. Valeo, Citizens United, etc). Today we are going to look at some more information and examples of the role of money in elections.

Contribution limits:

The most important campaign finance Supreme Court case in recent years is Citizens United v. FEC. This controversial decision has led to an influx of money in campaigns, primarily by outside groups representing corporate interests or individual wealthy donors. 

Here is President Obama's reaction to the SCOTUS decision:




What impact has Citizens United had on money in campaigns?
What do these charts illustrate? (click on the link)

Main points on Citizens United:
1. Allows unlimited contributions by corporations, labor unions, individuals

2. Names of donors do NOT have to be disclosed

3. Expenditures (i.e. commercials) must be independent of the campaign (although that is easily worked around)

4. Led to the creation of Super PACs










First, take a look at the Bloomberg article on 2016 campaign spending.

With the Court's decision in Citizens United, the rise of SuperPACs has increased. Two of the most important in the 2012 election were Restore our Future and Priorities USA Action.  Look at these two SuperPACs and come up with at least two similarities and two differences.

Priorities USA was still active in 2016. Here is one of their ads:




More videos can be found on their YouTube channel.

How difficult is it to set up a Super PAC?


More videos for review: