POLS 3130 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Buck Passing, Official Language, Selective Enforcement

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Political Science
• Course: POLS 3130
• Professor: Dennis Baker

Document Summary

Interest group: an organization that seeks to influence government policy but not govern. Leaf (women"s legal and education action fund), ncc (national citizens coalition), ccla (canadian civil liberties association) Interest group involvement: little interest group involvement in the judicial process when o o. By 2002 there was a veritable surge in interest group litigation. Influence public policy, raise the profile of the issue, permanence of judicial decisions especially constitutional ones. Even precedent reversals still 20 years later: unsuccessful with other branches. Political disadvantage theory: groups litigate because unable to penetrate other avenues of government o o o. Politically disadvantaged are marginalized, poor and powerless, courts are only recourse. Business groups (and especially) governments often successful in court. Other studies in canada and usa: successful left-wing groups well-financed, tied to state funding. Who litigates: canadian civil liberties association (ccla), assembly of first nations, canadian labour. Interest influence can be indirect such as in education seminars, law journals, and influencing appointments.