PO207 Reading: Interest Groups
David McKay
American Politics and Society
Chapter 14: Organised Interests
What are interest groups and how do they attempt to influence US politics?
Interest groups are organisations with social, economic and political aims whereby citizens band
together to reach their collective aims. 79% of the North American population belong to a
voluntary association, and a third of these are actively engaged [2015]. Those with the most
membership ten to be ‘non-political’ charitable/ social clubs such as church groups, Rotary clubs,
professional clubs and education clubs etc. A mere 14% of North American adults are involved in
political clubs and organisations (the figure for labour unions is even lower).
Groups also exist to represent governmental and corporate interest, such as trade associations.
Single-issue groups also exist to protest one matter, such as the Pro Life Alliance who are attempting
to outlaw abortion *sigh*.
Even if a group is ‘non-political’, there will of course be political elements to it. Such as voting on
certain issues, and electing members to a higher committee.
McKay, to avoid confusion, aims to distinguish between categories of interest group: economic,
professional and promotional.
Economic Professional Promotional
Business: Professional groups have grown Promotional groups are
and improved their political those devoted to
‘In the United States, corporations tend to be both status more than any other promoting a cause or
powerful and autonomous, and frequently they exercise organised interest over the last position: the NRA, National
political power as independent units’. McKay. 40 years. As educational Association for the
standards have risen, so have Advancement of Coloured
Big industry in the USA, namely oil, exercises extreme those practicing law, medicine, People (NAACP).
political influence over both regional and the federal education. Some of these
government. Land-use, taxation, labour and public organisation carry great weight, In North America,
works policies are normally shaped by corporate such as the American Bar promotional groups have a
interests. Association (ABA) which acts as a loud voice due to the
gatekeeper for those practicing openness of the policy
The powerful corporations vary from state to state, for law, and is a massive information citizen. Through
example, cattle and oil power is influential in Texas. source on legal standards/ organisation, public
Whereas, in New York, corporate power is more diffused procedures. The nomination of support and media
and often met head on by union/ public interest group judges and any change in exposure, promotional
activity. criminal/ civil law depend on the groups can influence
position and opinions of the members of Congress,
Today, most major firms have offices in Washington, and ABA. The Bush Admin in 2004 governmental officials and
employ professional lobbyists to advance their interests. attempted to end the ABA’s 50- even judges.
year-old ‘preferred status’ in
Case-study: Enron Collapse and Crony Capitalism: screening judicial nominations. However, today, many
Obama, whilst he did not groups which claim to
, PO207 Reading: Interest Groups
reintroduce their status, was
Enron (power corp) group massive In the 1990s-2000s more sympathetic towards the protect the public interest
and reported $100 million in profits on a stock market ABA. are really in the pockets of
valuation worth billions. This growth was based on special interests. The NRA,
trading commodities (power, plastic, internet connection) The American Medical for example, vows to
globally. At its peak it became the largest energy-trading Association (AMA) performs a defend every citizen’s
company in the world, and the seventh largest USA corp. similarly function to the ABA but second amendment right,
The stock value however had been overvalued by illegal for doctors. The AMA remains a however it also serves the
accounting practices, and in the stock market crash 2000 major influence on all legislation interests of gun
the company declared a massive $638 million loss. impacting health care, endorsing manufacturers and dealers.
Bankruptcy followed and mass unemployment. Energy Obama’s ACA in 2009. However, Furthermore, groups often
prices soared as a result in the Californian energy crisis there has been a rise in other come head-to-head on
(2002-3). Kenneth Lay, CEO, was very close to the Bush groups such as Hospitals, Health what they think is the
administration and donated a massive amount to his Maintenance Organisations public interest: pro-life
2000 campaign. (HMOs) and insurance versus pro-choice groups.
companies which have
overshadowed the AMA. Both the
aim of the ABA and AMA is to
Labour Unions: advance and maintain
professional standards.
In 2015, only 11.1% of wage/ salary earners were covered
by a union. This was a huge decrease from 1983’s 20.1% Other leading groups include the
figure. Labour union representation has a key American Bankers’ Association,
demographic: National Association of Home
Builders, National Association of
Public sector workers contributed to 35.2% of members, Realtors. The NAR contributes
compared to 6.7% in the private sector. New York had vast amounts of money to
24.7% membership, compared to 4.5% in Texas. The Republican candidates, and
traditionally industrial states (NY) and those on the lobbies to ensure a growing
North/West coast had higher membership than Southern house market with low interest
states who are more likely to hold preconceived notions rates. The NAR at a local and
of labour unions (‘ew communism’). federal level are very active,
particularly in combatting
Labour unions represent around 16 million US workers. whatever they deem an
unnecessary regulation of the
After the Great Depression, industry-wide unions (such as housing market (restrictive
the United Mine Workers and United Steel Workers) zoning laws, building codes,
banded together to form the Congress of Industrial property taxing, fair housing and
Organisations (CIO). Since the 1930s, the CIO has worked anti-discrimination statues). The
hard to lobby public policies which affect workers and aim of these groups is to advance
working conditions (union rights, social security, job economic interests.
training, vocational education, occupational health and
safety, overseas trade relations, economic policy).
The Committee on Political Education (COPE) is the CIO’s
political organisation. The COPE has close ties with
Democratic party, and most Democrat candidates
(namely Obama) receive their endorsement.
David McKay
American Politics and Society
Chapter 14: Organised Interests
What are interest groups and how do they attempt to influence US politics?
Interest groups are organisations with social, economic and political aims whereby citizens band
together to reach their collective aims. 79% of the North American population belong to a
voluntary association, and a third of these are actively engaged [2015]. Those with the most
membership ten to be ‘non-political’ charitable/ social clubs such as church groups, Rotary clubs,
professional clubs and education clubs etc. A mere 14% of North American adults are involved in
political clubs and organisations (the figure for labour unions is even lower).
Groups also exist to represent governmental and corporate interest, such as trade associations.
Single-issue groups also exist to protest one matter, such as the Pro Life Alliance who are attempting
to outlaw abortion *sigh*.
Even if a group is ‘non-political’, there will of course be political elements to it. Such as voting on
certain issues, and electing members to a higher committee.
McKay, to avoid confusion, aims to distinguish between categories of interest group: economic,
professional and promotional.
Economic Professional Promotional
Business: Professional groups have grown Promotional groups are
and improved their political those devoted to
‘In the United States, corporations tend to be both status more than any other promoting a cause or
powerful and autonomous, and frequently they exercise organised interest over the last position: the NRA, National
political power as independent units’. McKay. 40 years. As educational Association for the
standards have risen, so have Advancement of Coloured
Big industry in the USA, namely oil, exercises extreme those practicing law, medicine, People (NAACP).
political influence over both regional and the federal education. Some of these
government. Land-use, taxation, labour and public organisation carry great weight, In North America,
works policies are normally shaped by corporate such as the American Bar promotional groups have a
interests. Association (ABA) which acts as a loud voice due to the
gatekeeper for those practicing openness of the policy
The powerful corporations vary from state to state, for law, and is a massive information citizen. Through
example, cattle and oil power is influential in Texas. source on legal standards/ organisation, public
Whereas, in New York, corporate power is more diffused procedures. The nomination of support and media
and often met head on by union/ public interest group judges and any change in exposure, promotional
activity. criminal/ civil law depend on the groups can influence
position and opinions of the members of Congress,
Today, most major firms have offices in Washington, and ABA. The Bush Admin in 2004 governmental officials and
employ professional lobbyists to advance their interests. attempted to end the ABA’s 50- even judges.
year-old ‘preferred status’ in
Case-study: Enron Collapse and Crony Capitalism: screening judicial nominations. However, today, many
Obama, whilst he did not groups which claim to
, PO207 Reading: Interest Groups
reintroduce their status, was
Enron (power corp) group massive In the 1990s-2000s more sympathetic towards the protect the public interest
and reported $100 million in profits on a stock market ABA. are really in the pockets of
valuation worth billions. This growth was based on special interests. The NRA,
trading commodities (power, plastic, internet connection) The American Medical for example, vows to
globally. At its peak it became the largest energy-trading Association (AMA) performs a defend every citizen’s
company in the world, and the seventh largest USA corp. similarly function to the ABA but second amendment right,
The stock value however had been overvalued by illegal for doctors. The AMA remains a however it also serves the
accounting practices, and in the stock market crash 2000 major influence on all legislation interests of gun
the company declared a massive $638 million loss. impacting health care, endorsing manufacturers and dealers.
Bankruptcy followed and mass unemployment. Energy Obama’s ACA in 2009. However, Furthermore, groups often
prices soared as a result in the Californian energy crisis there has been a rise in other come head-to-head on
(2002-3). Kenneth Lay, CEO, was very close to the Bush groups such as Hospitals, Health what they think is the
administration and donated a massive amount to his Maintenance Organisations public interest: pro-life
2000 campaign. (HMOs) and insurance versus pro-choice groups.
companies which have
overshadowed the AMA. Both the
aim of the ABA and AMA is to
Labour Unions: advance and maintain
professional standards.
In 2015, only 11.1% of wage/ salary earners were covered
by a union. This was a huge decrease from 1983’s 20.1% Other leading groups include the
figure. Labour union representation has a key American Bankers’ Association,
demographic: National Association of Home
Builders, National Association of
Public sector workers contributed to 35.2% of members, Realtors. The NAR contributes
compared to 6.7% in the private sector. New York had vast amounts of money to
24.7% membership, compared to 4.5% in Texas. The Republican candidates, and
traditionally industrial states (NY) and those on the lobbies to ensure a growing
North/West coast had higher membership than Southern house market with low interest
states who are more likely to hold preconceived notions rates. The NAR at a local and
of labour unions (‘ew communism’). federal level are very active,
particularly in combatting
Labour unions represent around 16 million US workers. whatever they deem an
unnecessary regulation of the
After the Great Depression, industry-wide unions (such as housing market (restrictive
the United Mine Workers and United Steel Workers) zoning laws, building codes,
banded together to form the Congress of Industrial property taxing, fair housing and
Organisations (CIO). Since the 1930s, the CIO has worked anti-discrimination statues). The
hard to lobby public policies which affect workers and aim of these groups is to advance
working conditions (union rights, social security, job economic interests.
training, vocational education, occupational health and
safety, overseas trade relations, economic policy).
The Committee on Political Education (COPE) is the CIO’s
political organisation. The COPE has close ties with
Democratic party, and most Democrat candidates
(namely Obama) receive their endorsement.
