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Ajaypal Gill

Mr. Marr

Period 2

February 13, 2007

1. An interest group is an organization of people with similar policy goals

who enter the political process to try to achieve those aims. Interest

groups pursue their goals in many arenas.

2. I think that the elite theory is the most accurate interest group theory

because only the wealthy few have the most power. In our society, the

largest corporations are the ones with the most power. Many public

policies are made or are supported by the elites. For example, though the

majority of the public disagreed with the war policy in Iraq, they were

helpless against the executive power to change the way it was dealt with.

3. Small groups have an organizational advantage over large groups. Large

groups often fall victim to the free-rider problem. In a small group,

members’ shares of the collective good may be great enough that they

will try to secure it. In larger groups, however, each member can expect

to get only a tiny share of the policy gains.

4. Three of the most popular lobbying techniques are electioneering,

litigation, and going public. Electioneering is direct group involvement in

the electoral process. Groups can help fund campaigns, provide

testimony, and get members to work for candidates, and some form

PAC’s. Litigation is when interest groups go to court in hope of getting

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specific rulings. Lastly, groups are interested in the opinions of the public.

Because public opinion ultimately makes its way to policymakers, interest

groups carefully cultivate their public image and use public opinion to

their advantage when they can.

5. Amicus curiae briefs are 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 of the formal parties. These briefs

attempt to influence a court’s decision. Class action lawsuits are lawsuits

permitting a small number of people to sue on behalf of all other people

similarly situated.

6. AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) is one of the most

successful interest group. They are an ethnic interest group that

represents the views of thirty-eight pro-Israeli organizations, and they

earn annual budget of $12 million. AIPAC has confined its activities to

advocating U.S. government policies in support of Israel. It has also

gained the reputation for having outstanding intelligence about executive

branch planning relative to Israel. AIPAC has made a huge success in

lobbying for legislations that have provided military and economic

assistance to Israel and has denied critical arms to its Arab neighbors that

are against the formation of Israel. At this current moment, AIPAC wants

the US to impose stronger sanctions on Iran. Iran is conducting a large-

scale study on nuclear weapons and has also created some nuclear

weapons. AIPAC is not satisfied with the current sanctions the US is

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imposing on Iran. They want further enforcement of current sanctions

because they believe it will increase the measure’s effectiveness. They

also want the US to increase the pressure on Iran by implementing

penalties on foreign companies violating U.S. sanctions on Iran.

7. The NRA, AFL-CIO, and AARP have all been successful interest groups, but

what made these certain public interest groups so popular so as to stand

out from the rest? Many factors take part in making these interest groups

successful such as the size of the group, its intensity, and its financial

resources.

Small groups have an organizational advantage over large groups.

Large groups often fall victim to the free-rider problem. In a small group,

members’ shares of the collective good may be great enough that they will

try to secure it. In the larger groups, however, each member can expect to

get only a tiny share of the policy gains.

A group is also united in issues the members feel intensely about.

Both large and small groups benefit with from the intensity of their member’s

beliefs. When a group shows that it cares deeply about an issue, politicians

are more likely to listen and many votes may be won or lost on a single

issue. For example, the NRA is deeply concerned about the Second

Amendment and gun ownership rights. All the members evoke strong
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emotions about this issue, and therefore their group is successful to some

extent.

Money talks when it comes to getting your issues heard. One of the

other biggest factors in making an interest group successful is wealth. A big

campaign contribution may ensure a phone call or even a meeting with

federal office-holders. However, it does not always guarantee that the group

will be successful. “Money always helps lubricate the wheels of power,

though it is hardly a sure-fire guarantee of success,” as our book puts it.

Interest groups need all the skills and perks to be successful.