Pluralism and Organized Interests, I
Collective Action
Theory (M. Olson)
Under-provision of public goods
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non-rival (I can use it when others do)
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non-excludable (individuals cannot be denied use)
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e.g., clean air, national
defense, crime reduction
Costly and difficult to organize
collective action
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Free rider problem
o Diffuse v. concentrated benefits
o Privileged groups
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Enforcement costs for semi-public
goods
Incentives to organize collectively
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Solidarity motivations or principled
(purposive) reasons
o Social motives in small groups only
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selective, material incentives beyond good itself
o e.g., discounts, information to members
Typology of Interest Groups
Pathways of Influence
Interest Groups v. Lobbyists
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interest groups: individuals organizing in support of shared interest
o lobby government
o advocate policies
publicly
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lobbyists; individuals who seek to
influence government decisions on behalf a group or a client
o staff of some IGs
o professional
lobbyists: clients (interest groups, businesses, civic associations) hire a
firm to lobby on their behalf
Lobbying
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$1.55 billion in 2000
(OpenSecrets.org)
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over 10,000 registered lobbyists
ISU Lobbying
o registerd in Oct. 2004 to lobby on Agricultural and homeland security
appropriations