7.3: What do Interest Groups do?

Direct and Indirect Lobbying

Interest groups seek to change public policy. There are two strategies to achieve this: direct and indirect lobbying. Interest groups directly lobby when they pressure government officials to make policy changes. They are indirectly lobbying when they seek to influence public opinion to be more sympathetic to their cause with the long-term goal of changing public policy. Of course, interest groups may have many other purposes. Many groups form to help their members with any number of issues. For example, a group may provide social and economic support for its members and interact with the political system only as necessary. Consider all the information, counseling, financial help, and social support people fighting cancer gain by joining the American Cancer Society. This group's political lobbying for more research and healthcare funding is only part of its mission.

Groups may directly lobby by meeting with legislators to sponsor or amend a bill. Legislators may ask interest groups to send members to testify at committee hearings to provide insight into a particular public policy challenge. Second, they may also meet with bureaucrats from executive department agencies who are drafting regulations. A third route is litigation. Many groups seek public policy goals through lawsuits that will force public policy changes.

By law, interest groups cannot give campaign contributions to candidates in exchange for votes. However, it is in the interest of groups to help candidates who are likely to further their agenda in the future. With sympathetic legislators in place, a group knows it will be far more successful at lobbying. Thus, money doesn't buy votes; it buys access to lawmakers who are more willing to listen. Ultimately, however, an interest group will have more influence if it is popular with the legislator's constituents.

Interest groups engage in indirect lobbying when they seek to influence public opinion in their favor. Groups may enlist the help of celebrities to advertise causes, hold marches and demonstrations, and use social media to persuade and recruit more supporters. A sympathetic public is crucial to an effective presence in state or local government.

For Your Consideration

Think about an interest group that you have joined. Maybe you are a bit of a recluse, but perhaps someone you know is a member of a group. How has the group attracted members? Is it through the use of persuasive, material and solidary incentives? Next, think about what the group does politically. Is it focused on changing policies or more on public outreach? In other words, how does it lobby? How do you find this group beneficial to the community or the state?