Interest Groups in Texas

1
Interest Groups in Texas

• GOVT 2306

2
Along with political parties, interest groups are
private organizations that attempt to influence
public policies. But they do so without seeking
public office, so they do not have to deal with
the electoral rules that condition the nature of
political parties.
3
Rather than only having two major political
parties, there are thousands of groups in the
state that focus on the needs of discreet,
isolated groups within the state. In addition,
there are national interest groups within the
state that tie the interests of state residents
with those of the nation as a whole.
4
Useful External Reading Texas Politics
Interest Groups
5
Also, From the Texas Tribune TopicsInterest
Groups
6
What are interest groups?There are many
definitions, heres one from the Encyclopedia
Britannica.
7
interest group, also called special interest
group or pressure group,  any association of
individuals or organizations, usually formally
organized, that, on the basis of one or more
shared concerns, attempts to influence public
policy in its favor.
8
James Madison noted the tendency of people to
form groups, as well as the fact that in a free
society these groups must exist, and will be
clustered around the various interests that exist
in society at any moment in time. He called
them factions. Here is his definition of
factions
9
By a faction, I understand a number of citizens,
whether amounting to a majority or a minority of
the whole, who are united and actuated by some
common impulse of passion, or of interest,
adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to
the permanent and aggregate interests of the
community.
10
This is a critical point Interest groups exist
because the First Amendment of the U.S.
Constitution guarantees both the right of people
to peacefully assemble, and to petition the
government for a redress of grievances.
11
One quick point however Madison doesnt say
anything about what these factions would actually
look like. Todays interest groups are organized
groups with staffs and funding sources, not
ad-hoc groups.
12
There are a large number of interest groups in
Texas. Generally we assume that the number of
interest groups that exist in the state
corresponds to the number of interests that exist
in the state.
13
This reflects the concept of pluralism.
14
Interest groups are a consequence of individual
freedom.But they can pose a major problem for
democracies.
15
Madison warned against the evolution of majority
factions since they could turn democracies into
tyrannies. He suggested that large number of
interests would divide these majority groups into
smaller segments and make majority tyranny less
likely to occur.
16
But this comes at a price
17
The more interest groups that exist, the less
dynamic government can become. A minority group
may clog the administration and convulse the
society. Either option is better than tyranny,
but it does have consequences.
18
1 - It can lead to gridlock2 It can lead to
unresponsive government
19
The principle problem is that connected groups
may be able to establish politics that benefit
them and make it difficult for those policies to
be changed. This can make it difficult for
changes to be made since those changes might
jeopardize the benefits already received by
groups.
20
Mancur Olson, in a book entitled the Rise and
Decline of Nations, argued that as societies
develop, strong special interest lobbies evolve
that make them less efficient and dynamic.
21
The thesis of this brilliant book is that the
longer a society enjoys political stability, the
more likely it is to develop powerful
special-interest lobbies that in turn make it
less efficient economically.
22
Jonathan Rauch builds on this idea and calls it
Demosclerosis.He argues that the rise of
interest groups has led to a type of paralysis in
government. Demosclerosis is democratic
government's progressive loss of the ability to
adapt.
23
Once programs are established, groups that
benefit from them coalesce around the programs
and do what they can to keep it in place as is.
Any change can jeopardize their interests.
24
As we will see below, interest groups (the good
ones) are able to cobble relationships with the
principle actors involved in a program that
benefits them, and this is the mechanism that
enhances and maintains their interests.
25
Next Topic
26
What Kinds of Interest Groups Exist?
27
There are many ways to categorize interest groups
no one is necessarily better than any other.
Its not like our ability to categorize
governing institutions into those that are
legislative, executive, or judicial in function.
28
For lists you might want to look at these -
Tannahill- Cliffs Notes- X-Roads - Pearson
29
They types of interest groups that exist mirrors
they types of interests that exist in the state
and by extension the nation.
30
Tannahills list is typical, he cites the
following Business Groups and Trade
AssociationsProfessional AssociationsOrganized
LaborAgricultural GroupsRacial and Ethnic
Minority GroupsReligious Groups
31
A simpler way to approach this question is to
divide groups into these two types public and
private.
32
The simple difference between the two is that
public groups address issues that are common to
everyone (like clean air and education) while
private groups address issues that benefit their
members (like business and professional
organizations and labor unions).With that in
mind all groups like to argue that the benefits
they receive will at least indirectly benefit the
public welfare.
33
An example of a Texas public interest group
Environment Texas
34
An example of a Texas private interest
groupTexas Business AllianceWhich some argue
may be the most powerful interest group in the
state.
35
Sometimes drawing a precise distinction between
public and private groups is difficult.
36
Texans for Lawsuit Reform can be considered to be
both a public interest group and a private group.
Limits on lawsuits are argued to enhance
business opportunities and the jobs that come
with it, which benefits the overall economy, but
it provides specific benefits for businesses that
engage in enterprises that make them subject to
lawsuits.
37
Why does this distinction matter? Because it
tells us something about the dynamics of group
formation, even though we are a majoritarian
democracy, the larger groups may be less powerful
than the smaller groups.
38
What do interest groups do?Here are four
things
39
1 - Organize individuals with similar interests
2 - Organize electoral competition 3 -
Organize government 4 - Link the state and
local political system to the national political
system.
40
Lets look at each in turn
41
1 - Organize individuals with similar interests
42
While people may have a shared interest in some
matter, that is seldom enough. Interest do not
speak for themselves. There has to be an
organized method in place to represent those
interests. But this can be difficult to do.
43
Problem Not all interests are easily converted
into groups.Not every group can easily overcome
the free rider problem.
44
Heres the basic question presented by the Free
Rider ProblemWhy work for collectively for a
groups goals if you will benefit from it even if
you dont do any work? If the benefit cant be
separated between those who contribute and those
who do not.
45
If youve ever tried to organize a group of
people you know this.
46
There is little need to join a group, if you will
benefit from the groups efforts even if you do
not contribute. But if everyone thinks this way,
the group will not form, and its objectives will
not be reached.
47
For a more thorough definitions of the Free Rider
Problem Stanford
48
In order for a group to be formed, there has to
be a driving force making it happen. A
political entrepreneur has to develop incentives
for people to join the group. They have to
convince members to avoid the temptation to free
rider.
49
Political Entrepreneur
50
Notable Policy EntrepreneursRichard Mellon
ScaifeJames Leininger
51
This person has to figure out how best to
overcome the free rider problem that prevents
individuals that have a common interest from
working together to achieve that interest.
52
Olson pointed out that these individuals provide
selective benefits to individuals that they would
not be able to get if they were not members of
the group and did not participate to further the
groups objectives. A selective benefit is a
reward or punishment that fosters cooperation
among a group of people who might otherwise free
ride.
53
There are four basic types of Selective
IncentivesMaterialPurposiveSolidaryInformatio
nal
54
MaterialMembers are encouraged to join because
they will receive material benefits if they do
so. Jobs or business opportunities for example.
55
PurposiveJoining the group helps one advance a
grand purpose such as cleaner air, greater
public morality, or some other intangible reward.
56
SolidaryJoining the group puts one in touch
with other, similarly minded people. Social
options increse
57
InformationalThe group makes its members privy
to information they cannot get elsewhere.
58
Material interests tend to be the most effective
for organizing people. This makes sense if you
think about it. People are more likely to be
motivated by something that profits them than by
other concerns.
59
2 - Organize electoral competition
60
Interest groups become heavily involved in
election campaigns in order to gain access to
officeholders after the election.
61
Members of groups want to be seen as being
central supports of members of Congress and the
executive branch because that makes it more
likely that they will invited to help craft the
legislation and rules that will affect them.
62
If the group is not especially wealthy, they can
rally supporters to assist the election. The
term used for this is electioneering.
63
It allows entry for an interest groups
lobbyists.
64
(No Transcript)
65
3 - Organize government
66
(No Transcript)
67
A key goal of interest groups is to establish
connections with people in each of the branches
of government.Ideally they forge relationships
with the various institutions that have some
authority around a defined policy area.
68
Sub-GovernmentsIron TrianglesThe Texas Star
69
Since the judiciary is elected, judges can become
part of sub-governments in the state.
70
(No Transcript)
71
4 - Link the state and local political system to
the national political system.
72
(No Transcript)
73
(No Transcript)
74
Since Texas is in a federal system, relationships
sometimes also have to be established with the
national government.
75
(No Transcript)
76
(No Transcript)
77
(No Transcript)
78
(No Transcript)
79
(No Transcript)
80
How influential are interest groups in
Texas?According to this table, there are five
options.Texas is dominant / complimentary
81
(No Transcript)
82
According to the table contained here, there are
five levels of strength that interest groups have
in the states. Interest groups in Texas are
dominant complimentary.
83
(No Transcript)
84
(No Transcript)
85
The Free Rider Problem
86
Because of the free rider problem, it is easier
for interest groups to form around private goods
than public goods.
87
(No Transcript)
88
Not all groups are equally capable of being
organized successfully.Private groups that can
provide material incentives to potential members
are more likely to form effective groups.
89
ExamplesBusiness GroupsProfessional
AssociationsLabor Unions
90
Ironically given that we live in a majoritarian
democracy larger groups can be less effective.
They are more difficult to organize and are
more likely to suffer from free ridership.
91
This includes the poor, students, children,
consumers, etc.
92
In addition, not all groups are likely to be
politically engaged.
93
(No Transcript)
94
What do interest groups do to promote their
interests?
95
Getting involved in electionsVoter GuidesIssue
AdvertisementsCampaign Contributions
96
Heres a list of voter guides from interest
groups in Texas complied by Project Vote Smart.
97
This helps establish relationships with elected
officials and makes it more likely that the group
will receive favorable treatment from each
branch.
98
In Texas, the Governor is responsible for
appointing the members of approximately 125
multimember boards and commissions. These boards
and commissions, some with broad policy mandates,
make public policy on the often narrowly defined
issues around which organized interests are
likely to form. Consequently, organized
interests, including businesses, associations,
lobbying groups, and law firms, seek policy
making appointments for their representatives in
these government agencies. source.
99
(No Transcript)
100
Lobbying
101
Lobbying refers to ..
102
(No Transcript)
103
(No Transcript)
104
Types of lobbyists contractin-house
105
The typical lobbyist makes more money than a
typical member of the Texas Legislature.
106
Ex-members of the legislature, and other top
government officials can become successful
lobbyists.
107
(No Transcript)
108
Petition Drives
109
Public Demonstrations
110
Media Campaigns
111
Attending Public Meetings
112
(No Transcript)
113
(No Transcript)
114
(No Transcript)
115
(No Transcript)
116
(No Transcript)