Assignment 2: Special Interests
What Are Special Interests Groups Special interest groups are often referred to as pressure groups, single issue groups, vested interest groups, lobbyist and several other titles. Through there are many names they essentially are all the same meaning; “An organization of people or a “letterhead” organization, sharing a common goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy” (Wilson, 2009, pp. 141). There is a lot of debate as to the negative and practical aspects of interest groups. Interest groups come in forms of Unions, Economic groups, Ideology groups, Social Policy groups or Public interest groups. They exclusively are engaged to influence the president and congress by promoting what values enforced by the government. Interest groups play a vital role in shaping public policies. They are one of four linkage groups which also include the media, elections and campaigns as well as political parties. These groups keep the citizens connected to the government. James Madison explains in Federalist #10 that public views are refined and enhanced "by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may discern the true interest of their country..." (Independance Hall, 2008). This was written in the essence of how to mitigate the effects of particular interest groups. It is hard to know what he would think of this design today.
Impact on Government in the Creation of Public Policy Special interest groups can have negative affiliations, such as imputed interest groups; they utilize government programs to suit their own business as they are developed from as a result of a government program. They seek better wages, securing their jobs; federal subsidies are just a few things that imputed interest groups seek. This was the case with American School Food Service (AFSA) during the 1930’s and 1940’s when school lunch programs were developed and began to receive federal aid (Colarulli, G. C., & Berg, B. F., 1983). In 1959, there were approximately 6,000 interest groups. As of 2009, according to the encyclopedia of association’, listed more than 25,000 (Dr. History, 2012). Rather an interest group is perceived as a negative or a positive is subject to personal biases in relation to their interest and realization of achieving the desired outcome. Yet make no mistake, these are organized groups whose purpose is to change public policies. They achieve this through lobbying the president and congress or by gathering support to prevent initiatives set forth by Congress or the President. The American Medical Association is a perfect example how it influences the President and Congress. The AMA has had a tremendous impact on policies created by the President and congress. The AMA played a critical role in stopping the health care reform act the President Clinton developed in the 1990’s. They shape policies that decide on, including but not limited to, the quality of the health care all Americans receive. More to the point what is deemed necessary and are involved in Medicare (though the AMA had initially rejected Medicare are now championing for stopping Medicare cuts) (Jonathan Mott, 2011). Money is a key factor thought to destroy the integrity of the interest groups and candidates. As money is the primary means of influence with campaign donations. It is this exchange of money that is viewed to corrupt government official thus making the interest groups and politics corrupt. Yet substantive fraud is rare. Politicians’, businesses, marketing agencies, just about everything in America takes money to advertise and get recognized (CitizensU, 2011). Rather it is an idea, products that are marketed, candidates’ election campaigns and yes even education of American citizens of governmental functions and laws, bottom-line it takes money. The impression is money is the basis of all wrong. There is evidence that interest groups on the whole have acted inside of the law. Again, substantive corruption is rare. There are legal entities such as Political Action Committees (PAC) and laws that safe guard dirty campaign funds and provide legal and limited campaign financing (CitizensU, 2011). Interest groups are ordinary citizens banded together for a common purpose among them to utilize their First Amendment right to petition the government and be heard. Some are large and even more are small and well organized like the N.R.A... Rather someone agrees with these organizations or not they have a right to defend their views. Anyone has the right to challenge them. In fact interest groups are a necessary evil that allows otherwise ignored issues to be heard. The positive area of interest groups is they can provide a smaller vehicle to be heard in a larger forum. Bureaucracies can often impede the expression of the individual. Interest groups indemnify these individuals or groups are heard. Interest groups can call attention to injustices and public policy that can be implemented to evaluate these injustices or laws can be made to protect individuals’ rights and bring about colossal changes (e.g. Brown V. Board of Ed.). Special interest groups have throughout history been advocates for civil rights, laws, law reformations or self-serving interest. Unfortunately, where these are often minority groups, they may not be representative of the national community. Some are self-serving where they offer no real value to society as a whole and manipulate fractures in the political system failing to their benefit. As political parties ebb, often interest group gains strength.
Interest Group Organizations as Advocates for Citizens Who are the interest groups? They are organized entities and represent their clients. Let’s look at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). They are an organization that stand up for black people’s rights and gave them a voice. At one time, blacks did not have rights; they had no voice in government, not even the right to vote. When an organization like this fights for the rights of individuals it extends right to more people than just those they represent in the form of civil rights. A remarkable egregious example of the NAACP’s work is when it fought and succeeded to put an end to segregated schools for African Americans. The case Brown V. Board of education is a prime example (U.S. Department of Interior, 2013). As in this situation not all public policy changes interest group bring about is always achieved through legislation. It has been achieved through legal channels such as the Supreme Court. In the case of Brown V. Board of Ed. (1954), was a landmark decision made by the Supreme Court effecting lasting change in public, social and national policies. Years of field work were laid out by NAACP to end segregation and in this case specifically the segregation of schools. Though admittedly, by the NAACP, their actions alone would not have worked without individuals who were strong and stood up against segregation (U.S. Department of Interior, 2013). Another interest group is the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU. They consider themselves the national defender of liberty. They work to achieve rights for people who have traditional been denied rights such as “people of color; women; lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people; prisoners; and people with disabilities” (American Civil Liberties Union, 2007). This is an organization that different clients are represented in the courts and through lobbying efforts that potentially can or have changed national social policies.

The Relationship between Interest Groups and Political Parties Interest groups and political parties are two, out the four, linkage groups who connects the community to the government. Political parties have an agenda of their own that concentrates on many issues. Whereas an interest group focuses are centralized to one policy. Interest groups are usually comprised of individuals or organizations. Political groups are comprised of politicians and political significance. Unlike a candidate whose primary objective would be to win the election, interest groups objectives are to win an issue when debating public policy. Interest groups have power because they contain information. They have experts in their field and lend their experts to assist the politicians. This gives the politicians access to the advice of experts that they may not otherwise have. This leaves the politicians better informed of the interest groups side. The fact that politicians get to hear from interest groups and receive one sided hypothesis is a reason for concern. They play a vital role in educating the legislatures by providing experts in their area it is the guidance and direction, they offer that is called into question unless one accepts the pluralist theory is at work. The pluralist theory states, that all parties are competitive to get their policies implemented, which means congressmen would receive all view point and be better educated because of this. Lobbying is available to all. This is what democracy is supposed to be. It is, in part, having the freedom to pursue your own interest and the right to be heard by the government (CitizensU, 2011). That is not to say interest groups do not alter the environment to achieve their objective. To get the word out to the American people they seek to gain support through the media, mass mailings, or by organizing rallies and demonstrations. However, in doing so interest groups bring to the surface issues; they open the door for discussion, consultation and education facilitating the link from the government to the people.
Interest Groups Summary
Interest groups have an impact and influence public policies. They can do this through various ways rather it is lobbying and gaining public support, some think they buy support which in part there is some truth. Interest groups are not going to support campaigns of candidates which goes against their agenda. Similarly, most people will not vote for a President who does not represent their views. They can use the courts, in some instances, to advance their agendas. Interest groups can be formed by corporations. They also can be a group of people that collaborate to ensure their voices are heard.
Good or adverse, interest groups are a bridge for people to the government. Interest groups are linkage groups or institutions just as the media, elections, and political parties are. All are needed to bridge the gap between citizens and the government. This opens the door for discussion and debate. They play a vital role in informing the legislature by providing experts albeit the information is biased. However, if the plurality theory is right there will also be another interest group willing to shows legislatures their experts (Dr. History, 2012).
An example of this would be if an interest group was a reproductive group that was pro-choice, and another group was pro-life, both have the equal right to request and petition the government to be heard on their matters. This is guaranteed by the first amendment. They have changed public policy that has changed the course of the nations with respect to civil rights and the separate but equal doctrine in Brown V. Board of Ed. They have stopped reforms from ever becoming realized such as Presidents Clinton Medical Care Reform. In conclusion, Special Interest groups depending on your personal biases can be for the better or worse. Effectively interest groups bring about change and challenge the legislative process rather those changes are productive again, is dictated by personal biases. For now and until a better way is established, as guaranteed by the First Amendment, interest groups are a necessary evil for all sides to be heard and represented.

References
American Civil Liberties Union. (2007). ACLU. Retrieved from Because Freedom Can't Protect Itself: http://www.aclu.org/about-aclu-0
Dr. History. (2012, September 16). YouTube. Retrieved from AP Textbook Lecture- Interest Groups (Chapter 11)
Independence Hall. (2008). American Government. Retrieved from US History: ushistory.org
Wilson, J. Q. (2009). American government: brief version. (9th ed.: 2011 custom edition). Boston: Cengage.
CitizensU. (2011, March 19). Political Parties-Cram for the Exam. Retrieved from CitizensU: youtube.com
U.S. Department of Interior. (2013, February 27). History & Culture. Retrieved from National Park Service: http://www.nps.gov/brvb/historyculture/index.htm
Colarulli, G. C., & Berg, B. F. (1983). FEDERAL LEGISLATION AND INTEREST FORMATION: THE CASE OF IMPUTED INTEREST GROUPS. Policy Studies Review, 3(1), 13-20.