This document provides information and guidance for an interest group profile paper that is due the following week. It outlines the assignment requirements, including making an argument, supporting it with evidence, paying attention to writing quality, and discussing significance. It also previews upcoming content on the electoral environment, including changes in campaign finance law and the rise of new entities like super PACs that are influencing elections. Students are asked to identify which type of fundraising entity - such as a PAC, super PAC, or 501(c) organization - would be most appealing for different groups to use based on their goals. The document closes by advertising next week's topics.
2. Interest Group Profile
Due next Wednesday in class
Details and rubric posted
Remember: Make an ARGUMENT
Thesis is not a statement of fact- it must be arguable
Efficacy, influence, representation
SUPPORT your argument with evidence (specific examples)
Pay attention to writing- read your paper out loud, make sure
paragraphs focus on 1-2 ideas, transition between
topics, small paragraphs (a paragraph should not be longer
than a page)
*SIGNIFICANCE* (why should we care?)
Look at late policy
3. Setting the Stage
2010 and 2012
More fundraising entities
More money flowing into elections
BIG QUESTION: How has the regulatory
environment changed over time? Do we see
trends towards more or less regulation of interest
group involvement in elections?
4. 2012 Election
Super PACs and spending
http://elections.nytimes.com/2012/campaign-
finance
5. Campaign Finance Reform I
1974 Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA)
Disclosure
Contribution and Spending Limits
Spending
FEC
Consequences/Results
Why is the FEC considered a “toothless watchdog”
(Washington Post, 2012)?
7. Vocabulary: Independent
Expenditures
Independent Expenditures-spending to
expressly advocate for the election or defeat of a
candidate
Not coordinated with a candidate or campaign
Can spend unlimited amounts
8. Interest Group Entities
Political Action Committees
527 Committees
501(c) Organizations
Super PACs
9. Group Activity
The following groups/individuals want to get involved
(or continue their involvement) in influencing
elections. Given the goals of these
individuals/organizations, what would be the one
fundraising entity they would be most likely to
choose?
As a group, choose the entity that would best serve
the goals of the individual/group shown on the slide
527 Committee
Super PAC
PAC
501 (c) organization
16. Clarifying Bundling
1. An individual or group (the “bundler”) collects and
delivers the contributions in a “bundle” to a candidate
The value of “taking credit” for donations
EMILY's List
17. In-Kind Contributions
In-kind contributions from PACs- subjected to same
individual contribution limits (value of $5000 per
candidate/per campaign)
Why make in-kind contributions? Why not just give
candidates the money?
19. The New Status of 501 (c)s
Why are campaigns using 501(c) groups to
fundraise?
Pros and cons
Why have they been nicknamed “shadow
organizations”?
21. Paper Workshop Exercise
1. Write your name on the upper right-hand side of the paper
2. Pass your paper and thesis/topic on to someone for review
3. Reviewer #1: Write your comments in the LEFT-HAND
column. Pass your paper on when the time is up.
4. Reviewer #2: write your comments in the RIGHT-HAND
column. Pass your paper on when the time is up.
5. Reviewer #3: Turn paper over. Write your comments in the
LEFT-HAND column. Pass your paper on when the time is
up.
4. Reviewer #4: Write your comments in the RIGHT-HAND
column. Return your paper to the original author.
Hinweis der Redaktion
-represent-participate-educate-frame-agenda building-program monitoringADD: provision of program alternatives
Economic interest groups: organize to influence government policy for the benefit of membersEqual opportunity interest groups: organize to promote the civil and economic rights of underrepresented or disadvantaged groupsAgeE.g., AARP, Children’s Defense FundRace and EthnicityE.g., NAACP, LULAC, AIMGenderE.g., NOW, EMILY’s List, Eagle ForumSexual orientationE.g., GLAD, PFLAG, Log Cabin RepublicansPublic interest groups: organize to influence government to produce collective goods or services that benefit the general publicEnvironmental groupsE.g., Sierra Club, GreenpeaceConsumer groupsE.g., Public Citizen, Consumers UnionReligious groupsE.g., Christian Coalition, Anti-Defamation League
Growth in fed govt, changes in Cong- growth in subcmtesParty leaders have more power
Whereas the two parties will often dilute their policy stands so as not to offend potential supporters, interest groups profit from tailoring their appeals to narrow audiences with bold, emphatic, and unyielding policy stands. They are much like cable TV channels, which can make money by finding a small but faithful audience. How do Igs get MCs to do what they want? How to parties?
People do not need to engage in politics; the interest group system will guarantee that all interests are represented
