The history of American politics is a long one, composed of political representation of various interest groups, which play a key role in influencing the public policy.
James Madison in his paper, ‘Federalist No. 10,’ observed the role of interest groups. However, it is important to establish who these interest groups are, before examining their role in influencing public policy (Almold & Powell, 2008).
Definition
Interest groups are a group of people with similar goals, who work together to advance their interests. An interest group may be formed for the purpose of a specific objective or more objectives, aimed at influencing public policy (Lasser, 2011).
The main goal of an interest group is to influence the policies of the government for its cause. Mostly, the interest group works to safeguard the benefits of its members, or certain segments of the society. Most interest groups are voluntary organizations and work towards a common cause of influencing public policy.
Unlike political parties, interest groups are less concerned with politics. Their main concern is lobbying on the legislature, with the goal of influencing the political process (Lasser, 2011; Almold & Powell, 2008).
Classification of interest groups
There are many forms of interest bodies. However, the main ones can be grouped into economic organizations. The chambers of commerce, trade unions and religious organizations, are good illustrations.
There are also associations of professionals. They are mainly composed of professional bodies and focus much on the welfare of the members. On the other hand, public interest groups, unlike the associations of professionals, place the interest of the general public first (Almold & Powell, 2008).
There are also special interest groups, which usually focus on a specific area of interest. Although this classification of interest groups is not exhaustive, they all work towards a certain cause (Almold & Powell, 2008).
Various interest groups seek to influence policy in various ways, including mobilizing members of the public, educating members of the public at various levels within the society; interest groups are also known for appealing in election activities with a bid to influence electorates to support their agendas (Lasser, 2011).
The relationship between interest groups and political parties
Political parties and interest groups have a great relationship in the American politics. Interest groups are known for maximizing on policy, while political parties focus on maximizing their dominance in politics through winning majority votes.
They both have competing interests which have a great implication on the policy making process. Political parties are largely concerned with drawing the support of majority voters, while the interest groups are concerned with influencing the government to legislate on policies that promote their agendas and ideologies (Almold & Powell, 2008).
Thus, there is a form of tension that exists between political parties and interest groups, which is usually negotiated through corporation.
There exists a great difference between interest groups and political parties. Political parties on one hand have tendency to be more elastic as opposed to interest groups.
On the other hand, interest groups are more certain on advancing their goals. Political parties are flexible and redefine their position with time and necessity. This is influenced by the fact that members of political parties make compromises and change their views.
On the other hand, interest groups are controlled by their focus and objectives. This makes a clear distinction between the political parties and interest groups (Lasser, 2011).
Political parties are much concerned with publicity as opposed to interest groups, which are much concerned with advancing certain agenda. Political parties are more concerned in employing conciliation and tact in cases of stress.
It is clear that the society requires a peaceful political environment and thus political parties must handle their dealings with public interest at heart (Schemidt, Shelly, & Bardes, 2010).
The fact that interest groups are concerned with the interest of a specific group, does not mean that there is no room for flexibility. However, there level of flexibility in an interest group is limited to the core-objectives.
An interest group must maintain its core-objective, lest it ceases to exist. Interest groups derive their identity from their values and practices as opposed to a political party (Welch & Thomas, 2011).
Political parties have been defined to mean organizations of persons, which are formed with the view of directing the policies of the government. Mostly, political parties are made up of persons affiliated to common objectives (Almold & Powell, 2008).
This explains why political parties are flexible and change from time to time, and still manage to retain their identity as political parties. Political parties are concerned with a wide range of issues, and this makes it hard for them to maintain a particular position.
This allows them to be flexible, in order for them to accommodate all their members who come from different social cultural backgrounds (Schemidt, Shelly, & Bardes, 2010).
Interest groups appreciate the importance of actual membership. Interest groups must demonstrate members and financial strength. The Congressional Club for instance, has demonstrated its ability to influence.
It is known for wielding influence over elected officials as a requirement for membership (Lasser, 2011). It knows very well that when voters are acting together, they wield political power. This makes them to focus on their self interest.
James Madison in his work, regarded this kind of power as the mischief of function. The funds raised by the Congressional Club supporters, have contributed to campaign and other activities of this interest group.
The interest group is therefore able to influence the policies of the government, since it has an indirect control on the political party (Lasser, 2011).
Political parties unlike interest groups, do not depend on the actual number of membership. This is attributed to the fact that a large segment of the population, does not identify itself with political parties.
This makes it important for parties to focus on interest groups. This means that political parties are not confined with its members (Lasser, 2011). Both the political parties and interest groups, have different mechanisms of operation.
The interaction in interest group’s leadership and membership is limited, and this means that the interest group is much concerned with advocating for the welfare of its members. Political parties on the other hand, have an organizational mechanism of collecting member’s agenda (Almold & Powell, 2008).
The political parties and interest groups have a great relationship. They share common goals, as they both engage in activities that focus on political clout.
Although they remain different in their operation and mechanism, they both play a significant role in influencing policy development by the government either directly or indirectly (Lasser, 2011).
Interest groups and their influence
These groups concentrate on many aspects, so as to influence the congress and the president. The interest groups are known to concentrate on the monetary resources, through lobbying staffs, budgets and campaign contributions.
There is a very complex relationship between politics and money. A large amount of money is known to be used to mobilize the agendas of interest groups (Schemidt, Shelly, & Bardes, 2010).
Interest groups influence campaigns, through contributions on policies and financings. On the other hand, interest groups are known to contribute to congress members, who are known to them.
Interest groups also focus on having institutional gate-keeping positions, which are related to their interest. This ensures that the interest groups, maintain their influence over the congress (Wilson, 2011).
Interest groups are made with a view of advancing the concerns of their members. The wealthy members of the society are believed to enjoy much access to the process of policymaking.
The policy making process is a hard one, and all what interest groups seek to do, is exercise influence over those involved in the policy making process (Itkonen, 2009).
Interest groups are known to facilitate communication of the needs, ideas and views of the citizens, to the president and congress. The political structure facilitates a good playing group for interest groups, to influence the policy making process.
It always ensures that their interests are safeguarded (Schemidt, Shelly, & Bardes, 2010). Interest groups are also participating in election activities. The interest groups are known to exercise certain techniques, like financing certain candidates.
There are certain interest groups which conduct grassroots activities, with a view of influencing the policy making process (Itkonen, 2009).
In order for them to influence the policy making process, interest groups undertake to educate the members of the public, including the officials of the government and the congressmen. This assists the interest bodies, to influence how certain policies are developed.
It is worth noting that an interest body may mobilize the members of the congress, to influence a policy that best suits their concern (Schemidt, Shelly, & Bardes, 2010).
Interest groups are known to mobilize the public. This tactic influences the policy making process (Itkonen, 2009).
They are therefore motivated by the need to safeguard the interests of these masses, and they will go to the level of writing petitions to the president and contacting the policy makers in a bid to advance these objectives (Wilson, 2011).
Owing to a large representation, they manage to lobby the congress as well as the president. The Trade Associations is composed of large segments of various professional bodies; often it takes position on various policy matters.
Owing to the fact that its members have incentives to support its activities, it plays a significant role in influencing policy making. The economic interest groups are known to use professional mobilization, in demonstrating their role in policy making (Schemidt, Shelly, & Bardes, 2010).
Interest groups ensure that they work closely with government officials, and more so, by having legislators who represent their interests. They also engage professional legislators or members of congress, who have a close working relationship (Welch & Thomas, 2011).
This creates ideological links, thus creating a team structure. They ensure that they have several members within the congress, who advance and protect their interest in the development of policies. This creates an organization that manages to access both the congress and the White House.
They still ensure that they manage congress supporters and leaders who undertake the legislations. These interest groups ensure that they have allies, both in the office of the president and in the congress (Itkonen, 2009).
Conclusion
The interest groups play a critical role in the policy making process. The interest groups support the litigation and legislative writing, that seeks to influence political parties and more so, those in the congress and White House.
The members of Senate play a key role in influencing the policy. They buy the opinions of the public, and use such opportunities to advance their concerns in the policy making process.
Although not all interest groups promote the public good, some advance the interest of their members or their internal goals. This is justified by the much influence they have on the policy making institutions.
It is clear that any political system is concerned with influencing policy. It is also clear that they actually influence policy, through their influence on the president and the congress.
Interest groups are major actors in the government. They use the administrative agencies and the legislature, to advance their interest in policy making. In extreme cases, interest groups have used courts, to influence the congress and the president in advancing their interests.
Although political parties and interest groups are distinct, they both have a significant influence in the policy making process. Interest groups have a significant influence on politics, and they use this influence to advance the interests of their members, by controlling the policy making process.
References
Almold, G. A., & Powell, G. B. (2008). Corporative Politics Today: A World View. Washington, DC: Longman Publication.
Itkonen, T. (2009). The Role of Special Education Interest Groups in National Policy. Washington, DC: Cambria Press.
Lasser, W. (2011). Perspectives on American Politics. New York, NY: Cengage Learning Publication.
Schemidt, W., Shelly, M., & Bardes, B. A. (2010). American Government and Politics Today, 2010-2011. New York, NY: Cengage Publication.
Welch, S., & Thomas, S. (2011). Understanding American Government. New York, NY: Cengage Learning Publication.
Wilson, J. Q. (2011). American Government: Brief Version. New York, NY: Cengage Learning Publication.