Synopses & Reviews
In today's era of greatly divisive partisanship in Washington, interest groups have become increasingly powerful forces in U.S. politics. In races for the presidency, Congress, and state legislatures, these groups often help to elect--or reelect--candidates who support their causes and views. Now in its third edition,
Interest Groups in American Campaigns: The New Face of Electioneering focuses on the key role that interest groups play in U.S. elections. Authors Mark J. Rozell, Clyde Wilcox, and Michael M. Franz present an extensive analysis based on interviews with interest group leaders, campaign finance filings, and election surveys. Opening with an introduction to the nature of our federal election system, they then examine how interest groups ally themselves with political parties and influence candidate nominations and party platforms. The authors also describe how interest groups interact with political candidates--by contributing money, goods, and services to campaigns--and with their own members and the broader electorate--through social networking, Tweeting, Internet advertising, television ads, direct mail, and phone calls. Throughout the book, diverse and compelling examples clearly illustrate how interest groups operate in the real world.
Revised and updated, the third edition of Interest Groups in American Campaigns delves into the 2010 election campaign; recent reforms and campaign finance laws that have substantially changed the roles played by interest groups; and how these recent changes will affect the 2012 races for federal offices.
Review
"I wouldn't think of teaching my interest group course without Interest Groups in American Campaigns."--Kevin W. Hula, Loyola College in Maryland
"If you want students to understand why interest groups matter outside of lobbying the legislature, have them read this book."--John M. Bruce, University of Mississippi
"This is an indispensable resource for scholars and students of American democracy."--Paul Freedman, University of Virginia
Table of Contents
Chapters 2-5 end with a Summary. Preface
Chapter 1. Introduction: Interest Groups and American Politics
A Brief History of Interest Groups in Elections
Diverse Groups, Diverse Goals
The One, the Few, or the Many? Interest Groups and American Politics
Interest Groups and the American Political System
Characteristics of American Government
Characteristics of American Parties
Characteristics of American Elections
Regulations, Goals, and Resources
Strategies and Tactics
How this Book is Organized
Chapter 2. Interest Groups and Political Parties
The Strategic Context: Regulations, Goals, and Resources
Recruiting and Training Candidates
Approaches to Recruitment
Training Methods
The Presidential Nomination Process
Delegate Selection
The National Conventions
Influencing Party Platforms
State Party Conventions
Financing Convention Activities
Chapter 3. Interest Groups and Candidates
The Strategic Context: Regulations, Goals, and Resources
The Evolution of Campaign Finance Regulation
Goals and Resources
PACs: An Overview
Who Forms PACs and Why
PAC Resources
PAC Contribution Strategies
Influences on Strategic Selection
Influences on PAC Decision Making
Giving Beyond the Limit
Bundling and Coordinated Contributing
Giving to Affiliated Organizations
Contributions to Parties
Contributions of Goods and Services
Chapter 4. Interest Groups and Voters
The Strategic Context: Regulations, Goals, and Resources
Endorsements
The Endorsement Decision
Contested Endorsements
Endorsements and Voting Decisions
Hit Lists
Ratings, Scorecards, and Voters' Guides
Voter Mobilization
Independent Expenditures s
Issue Advocacy and Electioneering Communications
The 2010 Elections in Context
Referenda and Initiatives
Chapter 5. Evaluating the Role of Interest Groups in Elections
Positive and Negative Aspects of Interest Group Involvement
Interest Groups and Political Parties
Interest Groups and Candidates
Interest Groups and Voters
Reforming the System
Interest Groups and Parties
Interest Groups, Candidates, and Voters
Directions for Campaign Finance Reform
Underlying Assumptions
Goals of Reform
Summary
Keywords, phrases, and concepts
References
Index