Lesson 32: A Nation of Joiners
In this lesson, we will discuss interest groups and the way they are
protected, and even encouraged, in the Constitution. We will also talk about
the difference between an interest group and a social movement, and close by
looking at the main reasons people join interest groups.
American government not only allows participation in Interest Groups,
but encourages it.
An Interest Group is an organized group of individuals sharing common
objectives who actively attempt to influence policymakers.
A huge part of politics is the Political Party, a group of political activists
who organize to win elections, operate the government, and determine public
policy.
Another huge part of politics is the Lobbyist, an organization or individual
who attempts to influence the passage, defeat, or content of legislation and
the government's administrative decisions.
There are about a hundred thousand interest groups across the country. There are
many "pressure points" in American government that bring interest groups into
existence.
The 1st Amendment protects the rights of interest groups with two guarantees:
The right of citizens to "peaceably to assemble."
The right "to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Studies show that two-thirds of the American population belong to some form of
interest groups even if they are not political. Teacher's associations and even
insurance agent associations are among these. Interest Groups range from local
groups for something specific to national organizations that serve a broader
purpose.
If you think of the civil rights movement of the 1950s and
60s, you have a clear understanding of social movements.
A Social Movement is a movement that
represents the demands of a large segment of the public for political,
economic, or social change.
The women's movement of the 1960s was another form of social movement. The
National Organization for Women was brought together with one of their goals
being to end gender-segregated job advertisements.
There are various reasons for joining an interest group:
When people join an interest group for companionship with people who share the
same interests, they are motivated by Solidarity Incentives.
People also join for Material Incentives like joining the AAA in cases of
automotive emergencies. The AAA leads the way in trying to influence laws
concerning drivers.
Other interest groups have a clear political purpose. Purposive Incentives are
in place when an interest group has an explicit political goal.
One problem interest groups face is the Free-Rider Problem,
which is the difficulty that they face in
recruiting members when the benefits the group achieves can be enjoyed without
joining the group.
In other words,
a free rider enjoys the benefits the interest group fought for without having
to join or contribute to the group.