In what way do interest groups influence the policy process quizlet?

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Interest groups are formed to promote the interests or concerns of their members. They are primarily concerned with influencing public policy. Because a key function is to exert pressure on political decision-makers, interest groups are sometimes referred to as ‘pressure’ or ‘lobby’ groups. They are distinct from political parties in that they do not run candidates for public office. As well as targeting politicians, interest groups attempt to influence a wide range of public bodies, including government departments, state-owned enterprises and other Crown entities, and local government.

‘Lobbyist’ is an American term which derives from the practice of buttonholing politicians in the lobbies of Washington hotels. In New Zealand lobbyists go by a range of titles, including public relations consultant, strategic advisor, corporate advisor and ‘government relations’ manager.

As New Zealand’s population grew and a more socially and politically diverse culture emerged, the number of interest groups increased. While the largest groups are well-resourced, with national offices and professional staff, most are sustained by small groups of unpaid volunteers whose primary motivation is their shared commitment to the group’s cause – anything from law and order to the environment. The internet and social-networking sites, the multiplication of radio and television news outlets, and the transition to proportional parliamentary representation made it easier for interest groups to have their voices heard.

With the growing diversification of New Zealand society both culturally and politically, the number and influence of interest groups is likely to continue to increase.

Interest group functions

Interest groups carry out three basic functions: advocacy, policy formulation and membership support.

Advocacy

Advocacy includes scrutinising proposed legislation, making submissions to Parliament’s select committees, lobbying government ministers and their advisors, and seeking to influence public opinion.

Interest groups may resort to direct action by way of petitions, public submissions, demonstrations, pickets, and advertising and media campaigns. They may attempt to influence election outcomes, either by funding or endorsing a parliamentary candidate or party, or by deploying personnel to assist a candidate’s campaign.

Policy formulation

Policy-making draws on the expertise of others outside the government. Well-resourced interest groups may be much better informed on particular policy issues than MPs, especially if they employ professionally trained policy advisors, researchers and consultants.

Membership support

Groups may provide members with material benefits and rewards, information and advice, and (sometimes with the help of social-networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter) access to the views of other members.

In the 2000s lobbyists sometimes offered corporate box seats at sports games to those they were attempting to influence. ‘Corporate boxes are not all about the rugby. They are places where the movers and shakers gather to flap their lips about issues of the day,’ wrote a journalist in 2011, in reference to ministers and members of their staff being offered corporate boxes by a bank seeking to retain a government contract.1

Wellington

As the political capital, Wellington is the centre of the lobbying industry. For most of the 20th century many businesses had their head offices in Wellington so they could influence the regulation of their industry. Deregulation of the economy from the mid-1980s lessened the need to be in Wellington, and most head offices moved to Auckland or overseas.

Some interest groups employ professional lobbyists such as lawyer Mai Chen as needed. Others buttonhole ministers and officials in airport lounges such as Air New Zealand’s Koru Club. In 2006, former MP Richard Prebble suggested that this practice was so common that lobbyists ‘should be called korus’.2

Types of interest group

There are four main categories of interest groups in New Zealand:

• economic, such as trade unions and business groups
• cause, such as environmental and morals or values groups
• consumer, such as consumer rights and welfare groups
• community and recreational, such as aged and sporting groups.

On the very best of days, the legislative process can be a complicated, messy, and grueling endeavor. If you’ve ever heard a lawmaker liken it to “sausage making,” you have an idea of how unpleasant it can be.

Lobbyists do their best to make the process easier by providing substantive information so that the thoroughly vetted legislation can be realized.

Because of the behind-the-scenes role they play in the process, lobbyists tend to be overlooked when landmark legislative accomplishments are celebrated. However, through their direct work with members of the General Assembly and Governor, government relations professionals are critical to the process.

What Is Legislative Lobbying?

Legislative lobbying is the most common way organizations attempt to influence legislation. It happens at local, state and federal levels. Lobbyists pay close attention to the legislation that’s introduced and track anything relating to their group’s interests.

Lobbyists might work for corporations, nonprofit organizations and other government entities. Sometimes, they partner with like-minded grassroots campaigns and other advocacy groups, which may have a larger following that lobbyists can use to their benefit.

Once the lobbyists have determined the legislation they hope to influence, they start to strategize. This usually involves:

• Organizing campaigns: Gaining public support is a great way to ensure legislators listen to the lobbyists’ wants. Showing legislators that voters are interested in certain laws can encourage them to vote in certain ways to stay in office and gain better approval ratings.
• Meeting legislators: Lobbyists will attempt to schedule meetings with key legislators, including bill sponsors and committee members. When they meet, lobbyists can provide insight into how certain legislature will affect their interests and other constituents and try to influence legislators to make the best choice for everyone.

Why Work With Legislative Lobbyists?

Lobbyists thoroughly understand how government works, and they can give you access to policymakers that you would not otherwise have. While it may not seem like it, local governments are constantly working to create new legislature and pass new laws, and lobbyists know how to work the system and ensure their voices are heard.

When the opportunity presents itself to work with a lobbyist, be sure to consider it carefully. In many cases, they’re the reason that beneficial legislature can become law.

Although many businesses are struggling during this time, working with a lobbyist may be a necessary expense. Partnering with them can be the start of a long-standing relationship that keeps your organization’s interests in mind through many future election cycles.

Here are five positive ways lobbyists impact the lawmaking process:

1. They provide history, context, and perspective on key issues.
   Experienced lobbyists can help lawmakers analyze the merits of an idea before it makes its way into the process and can sometimes forecast the success or failure of a bill based on legislation or circumstances that have come before it. Veteran lobbyists have often witnessed or even participated in similar efforts over the years, giving them credible insight into what challenges or support an idea or concept might face when presented for consideration. Individuals, associations and companies of all sizes often seek the help of lobbyists when it comes to sensitive or controversial issues, which may be difficult to address, articulate or even support publicly. Lobbyists can neutralize arguments, organize PR strategies, and mobilize grassroots support in ways other entities simply cannot.But it’s not just the connections, perspective, and knowledge lobbyists have that helps them achieve results; it’s also the approach they take to get it done. A light touch may be required to reach one demographic, while a more aggressive approach may be necessary to convince another.
2. Lobbyists anticipate the politics of moving a bill.
   Lobbyists know many of the key players involved in the legislative process, so they are well-equipped to understand the politics around a bill’s possibility of passage. With this insight, they can provide legislators and others the information needed in the legislative effort. Identifying which lawmakers are likely to be allies of a cause and which lawmakers are likely to try and block a particular bill can mean the difference between success and failure. Lobbyists, in turn, provide lawmakers with critical information necessary to achieve goals. Often lawmakers have specific reasons for not wanting to see a bill passed or not. For instance, sometimes a member’s district prevents them from supporting a measure. Understanding what motivates a given legislator is almost as important as understanding the process itself so that objective deliberations and compromises can occur.
3. They can suggest legally palatable legislative language.
   Because lobbyists have a great familiarity with the legislative process, they can often articulate the vision or goal to meet the intent of the lawmaker. In some cases, lobbyists can develop legislative language that saves government money by shortening the time the state’s legal counsel spends drafting or reviewing a bill.
4. They represent groups that would otherwise have no voice in the process.
   Many trade associations or groups of like-minded entities pool resources to engage lobbyists because on their own they would be either ineffective or incapable of influencing outcomes. Lobbying is at the core of the governmental process and protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution: “Congress shall make no law abridging the right of the people to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” With thousands of bills being introduced in a two-year session, effective lobbyists provide lawmakers the information necessary to make sound, fact-based decisions.
5. Through information shared, they keep the process balanced.
   Very often, opposing sides will hire lobbyists to represent their positions on a given issue or piece of legislation when both sides want their perspectives heard and all ramifications considered. These competing factions working to elevate awareness of impact, need and effects of legislation are the heart of good government. Lobbyists, who can articulate the most compelling case to the widest possible audience, typically prevail. In this way, government maintains balance through robust discussion and adequate representation of interests.

Lobbyists have been around since the early days of the Republic, and still have influence on every level of government from local to state to federal. From developing relationships with lawmakers to advocating for their clients with credibility, lobbyists are one of the key ingredients for successful, thoughtful governance.

If you need the help of experienced lobbyists, Pugliese Associates has your back. If you have a message that needs to be heard, contact one of our government relations professionals today.