Groups: The Conflict of Faction
I. MADISON ON THE NATURE OF FACTIONS IN SOCIETY (brief version of Federalist #10)
A. CAUSES
B. PROBLEMS
C. REMEDIES
II. FEATURES OF INTEREST GROUPS IN AMERICA
A. CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED ACTIVITY
B. INTERESTS AND ORGANIZATIONS
C. PRODUCERS/PROVIDERS v. CONSUMERS
D. SINGLE INTEREST V. GENERAL CAUSE GROUPS
E. MAJOR ORGANIZED INTERESTS
1. ECONOMIC (Union Membership)
2. PROFESSIONAL
3. IDEOLOGICAL
5. CATEGORIC
7. CITIZEN (PUBLIC INTEREST-COMMON CAUSE)
III. SOURCES OF STRENGTHS
A. DEDICATED MEMBERS
B. ORGANIZATIONAL RESPECTABILITY
C. FINANCIAL RESOURCES
D. ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS
E. ACCESS TO POLICY MAKERS
F. SHARPNESS OF FOCUS
IV. INTEREST GROUP ACTIVITIES
A. LOBBYING & LITIGATION
B. FUND RAISING
C. ELECTIONEERING (PRESIDENT)
D. ELECTIONEERING (CONGRESS)
E. OPINION MOLDING AND PUBLIC ACTIVATION
V. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES (1974-2007) (PACRONYMS)
A. VARIETIES
1. CORPORATE (BANKERS)
2. INDEPENDENT (EMILY'S LIST)
3. TRADE/HEALTH (AFSCME)
4. LABOR (TEAMSTERS)
5. PROFESSIONAL (TRIAL LAWYERS)
6. OTHERS (LEADERSHIP PAC'S) (IDEOLOGICAL, SINGLE ISSUE PAC'S)
B. ACTIVITIES
VI. 527 ORGANIZATIONS - MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS- TOP 10)
VII. CRITIQUE
Key Web Sites
The Center for Responsive Politics