CHAPTER 16- INTEREST GROUPS

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Review Abramoff scandal in the intro to the chapter

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importance of citizen participation in political or civic interest groups

this is critical to q well-functioning civil society and offers countless opportunities for political engagement

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social capital

the myriad relationships that individuals enjoy that facilitate the resolution of community problems through collevtive action

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civic virtue

the tendency to form small-scale associations for the public good

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why interest groups are important

they give the unrepresented an opp to have voices heard, making gov more Representative

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interest groups

an organized group that tries to influence public policy

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difference between interest groups and political parties

interest groups dont have a candidate running 4 office

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pluralist theory

political power is distributed among a wide array of diverse and competing interest groups

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disturbance theory

interest groups form in part to counteract the efforts of other groups

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transactions theory

public policies are the result of narrowly defined exchanges among political actors

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the idea that individuals will not mobilize into groups

transactions theorists contentions: its not rational for people to mobilize into groups, and, therefore the groups that dont mobilize will rep elitists

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neopluralists/new pluralists

neopluralists: evaluated previous theories and data to find a middle ground

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population ecology theory

the theory that life of a political organization is conditional on the density and diversity of the interest group population in a given area

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public interest groups

an organization that seeks a collective good that will not selectively and materially benefit group members

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economic interest groups

A group with the primary purpose of promoting the financial interests of its members

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business groups (including trade and pro groups)

A type of economic interest group, growth in spending of this decreases influence of farmers and labor unions

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labor org.

business group's growth in spending decreases influence of these

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gov. units

states and local gov. are becoming strong organized interests as they lobby the def. gov for $ for their programs

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state and local interests

-want to win earmarks for targeted state/district programs to help improve area

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federal earmarks

state and local gov. spend much of their time trying to win these from federal gov.

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earmarks

Fund that an appropriations bill designates for a particular purpose within a state or congressional district

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PACs

Federally regulated, officially registered fund-raising committee that represents interest groups in the political process

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difference between PACs and 527 groups

PACs have volunteers instead of members

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James Madison and factions

he knew that factions occurred in all political systems and that the struggle for influence and power among such groups was inevitable in the political process

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role of decentralizing power

Framers believed that decentralizing power would neutralize the effect of special interests, who wouldnt be able to spread efforts throughout so many different levels of gov.

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effect of the improvement of communications networks

It was not until 1830s as communications networks improved, that the first national groups emerged

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emergence of first national groups (ex.)

-many of these were single-issue groups rooted in Christianity (that was sweeping the nation) EX: The American Anti-Slavery Society fd. William Lloyd Garrison

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larger role of business interest after civil war

Increasingly large trusts, monopolies, business partnerships, and corporate conglomerates in the oil, steel, and sugar industries became sufficiently powerful to control many reps in the state and nat legislatures

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lobbyists

interest group rep. who seeks to influence legislation that will benefit his or her organization or client through political persuasion

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progressive movement and progressive-era groups

The political and social movement that grew out of the concerns of rapid industrialization probs. Groups ranged from those rallying for pub. libraries, to those seeking better job conditions for workers, or ending racial discrimination (like NAACP)

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national gov. begins to regulate business

this is in response to the pressure applied by progressive-era groups Gov. also had to accommodate role organized labor

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organized labor

Until creation of American Federation of labor in 188m there wasn't real national union activity

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American Federation of Labor (AFL)

brought skilled workers from several trades together into one stronger national organization for 1st time, as it grew in power many businesses owners began to press individually or collectively to quash the unions

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1914 Clayton Act

Labor leader samuel gompers hailed as magna carta of the labor movement. Allowed unions to organize free from prosecution and also guarantee their right to strike, a powerful weapon against employers

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business groups and trade associations

-NAM -FTC -NELA

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national association of manufacturers (NAM)

Founded by manufacturers who had suffered business losses in economic panic and believed they were being affected adversely by growth of organized labor. First became active when a major tariff bill was under congressional consideration

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trade associations

A group that represents a specific industry

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campaign to overturn key elements of Clayton Act in the courts

Chamber of commerce and organized interest groups such as cotton manufacturers planned elaborate and successful campaigns

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lobbying tactics of business groups

The Federal Trade Commission undertook a massive investigation of the lobbying tactics of the business community. FTC's examination of Congress revealed extensive illegal lobbying by National Electric Light Association

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Public Interest groups

Progressive era reappeared in 60's/70s in the rise of this. These groups devoted themselves to representing the interest of black, women, elderly, poor, and consumers, or to working on behalf of environment -founded by mainly hippies

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ACLU

American Civil Liberties Union- formed during Progressive era

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NAACP

National Advancement of colored people prominent in progressive era

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AARP

The American Association of Retired Persons prominent in progressive era

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Common Cause

A public interest group acting as a watchdog over def. gov. Has effectively challenged aspects of the congressional seniority system, played major role in enactment of legislation authorizing federal financing of pres. campaigns

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Public Citizen, Inc.

A public interest group acting as a watchdog over def. gov. headed by Ralph Nader

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Conservative response; religious and ideological groups

Conservatives (concerned about activities by liberal groups) responded by forming religious and ideological groups that became potent force in US politics

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moral majority

Reverend Jerry Falwell founded this first major new religious group -credited with assisting in election of RReagan as pres. and the defeats of liberal Dem. senators the same year+sending new voters to polls

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Christian coalition

Pat Robertson, televangelist, formed this in 1990, it has since grown in power and influence playing an important role in Rep. winning control of Congress. In '08 group distributed millions of voter guides in churches throughout US

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national rifle association (NRA)

An active opponent of gun control legislation saw its members/importance in washington rise in recent years

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business groups, corporations, and associations

Advanced their views; Many business people dissatisfied with the work of the national association of manufacturers or the US Chamber of Commerce, decided to start new.

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business round table

created in 1972 whose members head about 150 large corporations, urging members to engage in direct lobbying to influence the course of policy formation

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corporations; DC-based lobbyists

Most large corporations, in addition to having own governmental affairs departments, employ DC-based lobbyists to keep them apprised of legislation that may affect them, or to lobby bureaucrats for governmental contracts

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527 groups

Nonprofit and unregulated interest groups that focus on specific causes or policy positions and attempt to influence voters

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organized labor

Membership ni labor unions held steady through early/mid 1990s and then skyrocketed toward the end of the depression,

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potent politicial force

by 1990s organized labor began to be a potent political force (it was able to turn out its members 2 support certain party candidate)

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AFL-CIO

American Federation of Labor merged w/ Congress of industrial orga. in 1995. Concentrating its efforts largely on the nat. level, they immediately turned its energies to pressuring fov. to protect certain concerns from members

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labor members (and clout) diminishes

plagued by reduced union membership and mired in disagreement about how much $ to devote to campaigns of Dem.s @ time when Rep.s controlled 1/3 of branches 3 of the largest member unions plus 4 additional ones left AFL-CIO

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AFL-CIO split

Head of Service Employees international union said AFL-CIO had grown "pale,male,stale".

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Change to win coalition

SEIU, the international brotherhood of teamsters, and the United Food and commercial workers international left AFL-CIO to form the Change to Win Coalition

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what interests group do

They become politically active when members believes gov. policy threatens or affects group goals. And they also enhance political participation by motivating like-minded individuals

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working for their members interests

Just as members of Congressed are assumed to rep. the interests of their constituents in DC, interest groups are assumed to rep. the interest of their members to policy makers at all levels of gov.

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downside to interest groups

B/c groups make claims on society, they can increase the cost of public policies. Most Americans see interest groups as working just for themselves

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interest groups roles in US politics

In addition to enhancing the democratic process by providing increased rep. and participation, they increase public awareness about important issues, help frame the public agenda, and often monitor programs to guarantee effective implementations

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lobbying

The activities of a group or organization that seeks to influence legislation and persuade political leaders to support the groups position

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lobbying Congress

Lobbyists wait for congressmen/women to plea their cases. Efforts to reform lobbying continue to plague members of Congress who are the target of a variety of lobbying activities

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wide variety of lobbying techniques

MANY WAYS -file lawsuit -file amicus curiae brief -protests and demonstrations

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former members and staff as lobbyists (ONES WHO TAKE CONGRESSMEN OUT TO LUNCH, PARTIES, OR GOLF)

Many effective lobbyists are often former members of that body, former staff aides, white house officials or cabinet officers, or other white house officials (or insiders) or cabinet officers

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skills of lobbyists

lobbying congress, and issue advocacy

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relationships with members of Congress

lobbyists try to develop this with senators and house members in an effort to enhance their access to the policy-making process

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fair play and accurate info

A lobbyists effectiveness depends largely on their rep for this, no member of Congress wants to look uninformed

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lobbying the executive branch

These efforts have increased in frequency and importance

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many potential access points

Groups often target one or more levels of the exec branch because there are so many potential access points, including president.

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influencing policy decisions

Groups try to work closely with admin to influence policy decisions at their formulation and later implementation stages

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Link b/w interest groups and regulatory agencies

because of the highly technical aspects of much regulatory work, many groups employ Washington attorneys and lobbying firmsto deal directly with agencies

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monitoring the implementation of laws or policies

Groups often monitor the implementation of the laws or policies they advocated

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lobbying the courts

The courts have proved as a useful target for the interest groups (especially SC)

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amicus curiae briefs

Generally interest group lobbying of the courts can take two forms; direct sponsorship or the filing of amicus curiae briefs (this filed when a case or group is interested but not actually sponsoring coming b4 court)

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litigation*def

controversy before a court or a "lawsuit" this tactic is on the rise

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influencing nominations to federal courts

interest groups try to influence who is nominated to the federal courts and play important role in judicial nominees' senate confirmation hearings

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interactions with judges

it is becoming common for interest groups of all persuasions to pay for the trips for judges to attend "informational conferences" or just simply to interact with judges by paying for club memberships and golf outings

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grassroots strategies

a form of interest group activity that prompts individuals to contact their reps directly in an effort to affect policy

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goal of grassroots org.

to persuade ordinary voters to serve as their advocates

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use of TV and Internet

Grassroots lobbying also encompasses more modern forms of communication than door-to-dooring. Like the fax and internet lobbying of lawmakers+use tv ads + joining together on the web or via text to mobilize into one or more groups

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protests and radical activism

occasional though highly visible tactic used by some groups is protest activity, although it is much more usual for a groups members to opt for more conventional forms of lobbying or to influence policy through the electoral process

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illegal activities

this has been one tactic of interest groups more recently anti-war protesters have been wililng to march and risk detention and jail in the US

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candidate recruitment and endorsements

often key for attracting women and minority candidates, like Obama

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getting out the vote (GOTV)

Many groups across ideological spectrum launch these efforts, including identifying prospective voters and getting them to the polls on election day

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rating the candidates or office holders

many ideological groups rate candidates to help their members and gen. public evaluate the voting records of members in Congress. Ratings normally based on Congress members votes on key issues

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what all the groups have in common

they all want to shape the public agenda

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shaping the public agenda

All groups want to achieve this, whether by winning elections, maintaining the status quo, or obtaining favorable legislation or rulings from Congress

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Leaders

groups often become successful when leaders become elected officials or policy makers (in any branch)

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role of leaders

leaders play key role in interest groups' formation, viability and success.

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patrons and funding

Governments, foundations, and wealthy individuals can serve as patrons, providing crucial start-up funds for groups, especially public interest groups

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patrons

a person who finances a group or individual activity

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three kinds of members in interest groups

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interest group membership

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collective good

something of value that cannot be withheld from a nonmember of a group (i.e. a tax write-off or a better enviroment

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free rider problem

potential member fail to join a group because they can get the benefit or collective good, sought by the group without contributing the effort; if 1 union worker @ factory gets raise, all other union workers do too, the bigger group, the more of this

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factors that help groups overcome the free rider problem

-members in other groups 2, likely 2 fr -policy appearing that threatens rights

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implications of alliances

Although interest groups do work together in alliances, they also carve out policy niches to differentiate themselves to potential members as well as policy makers

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organization advantages of small groups

in a small group any individuals share of the collective good may be great enough to make it rational for them to join

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Federal Regulation of lobbying act of 1946

An effort to limit the power of lobbyists, requiring anyone hired to lobby any member of Congress to register and file quarterly financial reports; didnt really happen and was blocked by civil liberties groups until 95

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3 Lobbying disclosure act of 1996

It required lobbyists to: 1) Register with the clerk of the House and the secretary of the Senate 2) Report their clients and issues and the agency or house they lobbied 3)to estimate the amount they paid each client

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Honest leadership and open gov. act of 2007

lobbying reform banning gifts to members of Congress and their staffs, toughening disclosure requirements, and increasing time limits on moving from the federal government to the private sector

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criticism that 2007 act did not go far enough

Many commentators were critical of the fact that the ban on gifts applied only 2 private lobbysists

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governing formal lobbying of the executive branch

not governed by restrictions in 95 lobbying disclosure act or the honest leadership and open gov. act. Exec. branch employees ARE however constrained by the 1978 ethics in government act

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1978 ethics in gov. act (Table 16.3)

the key provisions of the ethics in government act deal with: 1) financial disclosure, and 2) employment after government service

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restrictions on executive branch employees becoming lobbyists

executive branch employees constrained from the 1978 Ethiccs in Government Act

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does lobbying give good or bad name to those being represented?

bad

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bowling leagues are going down what about other newer groups? older?

new are flourishing old groups now get few new members

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what do political scientists believe about involvement in community groups and activities

it enhances the level of social capital

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The more social capital in a community...

the more citizens engaged in its governance/ wellbeing. more likely to work 4 collective good

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what does civic virtue create?

fertile ground within communities for improved political and economic development

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Transactional theory arose from

the criticisms of the pluralist approach

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Who made the population ecology theory?

neopluralists

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most groups lobby on behalf of _____ with exception of _______

their members, PACs

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most organized of the groups

economic seeking groups

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what made PACs legal

amendment to the federal elections campaign act

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Because businesses had vested interest in keeping wages low and costs down...

more business groups organized to consolidate theor strength and to counter Progressive moveskk=

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NELA's illegal activities led public to see lobbyists how?

In a bad light

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How may businesses channel their donation money?

Through 527 groups, PACs, and individual donations from employees and fams

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Many lawmakers become _______ after leaving office

lobbyists

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Almost all interest groups lobby by...

testifying at hearings and contacting legislators

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What do some interest groups do for financial support?

They make the costs of joining minimal because they contribute much of the groups necessary financial support

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the 1978 ethics in government act

attempted to curtail questionable moves by barring members of the exec branch from representing any clients before their agency for one year after leaving gov. service

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