Interest group – An organization that attempts to influence government actions and policy. 

 Lobbyist – A person who attempts to influence government.  This could include a professional who is hired by an interest group, or any of us who take the time to try to influence government. Phone calls, e-mail, and try to influence government and their actions.

Techniques Used by Interest Groups & Lobbyists To Influence Government:

1.      Electioneering-- trying to get candidates sympathetic to your cause elected--most effective and expensive method.

·        Campaign contributions-- trying to get candidates sympathetic to your cause elected to office by supporting them financially. Best way to do this is through campaign contributions. 

·        At the federal level, the most an individual can contribute to a campaign à $2,000

·        If you are a political action committee your limit is $10,000 in any one candidate in any one election.

·        Each labor union, corporation, or interest group is limited to one PAC (political action committee) each.

·        Endorsement --Stand behind and give a stamp of approval to certain candidates. Sway voters for the cause you stand for.  This can deliver votes to a candidate that they otherwise would not get. (Ex.:  When the National Right to Life endorses a candidate, millions of pro-life Americans will be influenced by that endorsement and support the candidates endorsed.)

·        Volunteers--Provide volunteer workers.

·        People who answer telephones, fill envelopes, and hang posters.  Vast majority of campaign workers is volunteers. 

2.      Lobbying

·        Face to face contact or verbal or written persuasion. 

·        Most effective Lobbyists are former members of government, but are also very, very expensive. Posses a wealth of connections, expertise, and technical know how. 

·        E-mail, Letters, Faxes, Phone calls, and Personal appearances. 

·        Providing Research and information. To bring about change by proving your cause with facts provided by personal or personally funded research.  Statistics, facts, and research.

·        Wining and Dining 90% of budget spent on it because of effectiveness. Entertaining and

·        Providing free gifts. 

·        List of favorite women of government officials. Escorts.

·        Letter writing campaign. 

3.      Persuasion-public opinion

·        An attempt to mold, shape, and influence public opinion on an issue through a media campaign- Expensive.

·        This includes: Ads on television, radio, newspapers, magazines; billboards, films, speakers

·        Write letters to the Editor & get them published in local newspaper—inexpensive—goal is to influence members of the community who read the letters to the editor

4.      Influence appointment of sympathetic government officials

·         An attempt to get the “right person” appointed to a governmental position—someone who shares your political views

·                    This requires connections for personal visits or to get your call through or to get your letter read. 

5.      Litigation

• This is going to court and filing a lawsuit.

·        Must have a legal issue—examples include:

·        Gun control

·        Abortion

·        Immigration

·        Discrimination

·        Is comparatively less expensive than electioneering & lobbying

·        Is time consuming—with appeals, the process can take years

·        The judicial branch is the most objective & nonpolitical of the 3 branches—judges are there to do what is constitutionally and legally correct, and are NOT there to do what is politically popular.  Thus, if you feel the law and/or the Constitution is on your side, this is the route to go

6.      Direct action

·        This is non-violent or peaceful protest (civil disobedience) and includes:

·        Marches, demonstrations, sit-ins

·        Picketing

·        Boycott

·        Two advantages:

·        This is fairly cheap  & inexpensive

·        This often brings in the media—thus, free publicity to your cause

·        Disadvantage:

·        If violence results then your group takes the blame for the action even if they did not initiate it.

·        Americans typically view groups and individuals who engage in civil disobedience as “troublemakers,” “radicals,” and  “Un-American” & often there is a public backlash as even people who initially supported your group or agreed with your stand on that issue turn against you

7.      Illegalities

This would be anything that violates the law, including:

·        Bribery

·        Blackmail

·         Extortion

·        arson

·        terrorism

·        violence

·        murder

·        assault

• Radical groups often use this.  It is also used by frustrated groups who were committed to democracy and peaceful change and feel that as a last resort—since everything else failed—they are justified in resorting to illegalities.  Example in early America history: the Boston Tea Party. 
• If caught engaging in this, there is a personal cost—arrest, indictment, conviction, a fine or jail/prison sentence.  Also, this often turns public opinion against you.  The ultimate risk is death. 

·        Business and Trade Lobbyists are the most successful and powerful.  80% of all registered lobbyists are representing them. 

 Lobby Regulation at the Federal Level:

The New 1995 Lobby Regulation Act (went into effect January 1, 1996).

·        This was a BIG improvement over the old 1946 Lobby Regulation Act because it more broadly defined who was a lobbyist and who had to register as a lobbyist and report their activities.

·        Its provisions:

·      Lobbyists must register with House clerk & Senate secretary

·      Must report who their clients

·      Must report what agencies or branches of Congress are lobbied (this includes the executive & legislative branches—the old law only covered lobbying Congress)

·      Anyone who spends 20% of their time lobbying must now register as a lobbyist (under the old law only paid lobbyists—professionals—who were paid primarily for their lobbying activities had to register—thus exempting many lawyers) This is a broader definition of “lobbyist” and thus covers more lobbyists)

·      Restrictions on gifts that can be accepted from lobbyists

§       Members of Congress & their staffs can only accept gifts worth less than $50

·      Major loopholes:

§       Does not include the judicial branch

§       Does not apply to grass-roots lobbying (efforts to generate phone calls, faxes, email, & letters to government officials)