Between elections, citizens also act through groups and learn through the media. Both shape public opinion and what government does. The First Amendment protects both: the right "to petition the Government for a redress of grievances" and the freedom of the press.
| Interest groups | What they do |
|---|---|
| Lobbying | meet with lawmakers and officials, testify at hearings, supply research (lobbyists must register and report under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995) |
| Going to court | file lawsuits and amicus briefs |
| Elections | endorse candidates; give through political action committees (PACs), which may give a candidate up to 5,000 dollars per election |
| Going public | advertise, organize members, hold rallies |
Why it works
Madison expected "factions" in Federalist No. 10 and argued that a large republic would set many interests against each other: business groups, unions, professional associations, groups for a cause. Supporters of this pluralist view say groups give citizens a voice between elections. Critics point to unequal access: groups with money and organization may be heard more, and small groups with a big stake organize more easily than large, spread-out publics (the "free rider" problem). The media play roles too: gatekeeper (deciding what is news), agenda setter (what people think about), framer (how a story is told) and watchdog (checking officials). People across the spectrum complain of bias, and false information spreads quickly online, so checking sources matters.
Key idea
Interest groups lobby, sue, support candidates (often through PACs) and go public; lobbying is protected petitioning regulated by disclosure laws. The media act as gatekeeper, agenda setter, framer and watchdog. Concerns include unequal access, claims of bias and false information.
Worked example: Lobbying or bribery?
A group's lobbyist meets a senator to share a study on farm prices. Another person offers the senator cash to change a vote. Which is legal?
- Presenting arguments and information is petitioning, protected by the First Amendment and regulated by disclosure rules.
- Offering money for an official act is bribery, a federal crime.
Answer: The first is legal lobbying; the second is bribery.
Worked example: Name the media role
Reporters spend months uncovering misuse of city funds. Which role is that?
- Checking the conduct of officials.
Answer: Watchdog.
Common mistake
Thinking lobbying is illegal bribery. Lobbying, asking officials to act and giving them information, is protected petitioning, regulated by registration and disclosure laws; bribery, trading money or gifts for official acts, is a crime. Check: is anything of value exchanged for an official act?