1102GIR Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Henry Tax Review, Neoliberalism, Corporatism
4 May 2018
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L9. Interest Groups
Lecture Outline
• What is an interest group?
• Types of interest groups
• How should the state deal with interest groups?
• Case studies
o The National Rifle Association
o The Mining Tax
What is an interest group?
• A group of citizens with shared
o Interests
o Concerns
o Agendas
o Beliefs
• They seek collectively to influence public policy
• Entities that look like interest groups
o Corporations
o Unions
o NGOs
o Parties
o Lobbyists
o All of these entities have primary functions other than promoting their own interests
and/or priorities in political debate
Other Political Actors
• Lobbyists
o Are paid to represent other interests
o Often regulated
o Ex public servants and politicians
o Associated with 'the big end of town'
• NGOs
o Main role is service delivery
o Sometimes prevented from lobbying/politicking
• Unions
o Represent workers in industrial negotiations
o May secure political influence through party affiliation
• E.g. ALP
Types of Interest Groups
• Public or general interest
o Concerned with general issues
• Private or special interest
o Focussed on issues that affect members
Political Strategy
• Interest groups are often politically controversial
o May be seen as self-serving
o The problem of clientelism
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Lecture outline: what is an interest group, types of interest groups, how should the state deal with interest groups, case studies, the national rifle association, the mining tax. What is an interest group: a group of citizens with shared. Types of interest groups: public or general interest, concerned with general issues, private or special interest, focussed on issues that affect members. Interest groups are often politically controversial: may be seen as self-serving, the problem of clientelism. "special interest" has become a term of critique: neoliberalism, the politics of downward envy, e. g. Pauline hanson: political strategies, supporters try to paint themselves as serving public or national interests, opponents will accuse a group of serving special interests. How should the state deal with interest groups: two historic approaches to dealing with interest groups, pluralism. Society is made up of numerous interests, organised in groups. Usa: corporatism, historically common in european countries, does not mean business corporations rule.
