Interest Groups in American Campaigns: The New Face of Electioneering / Edition 3

by Mark J. Rozell, Clyde Wilcox, Michael M. Franz

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199829798
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	12/15/2011
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	192
Sales rank:	775,081
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Mark J. Rozell is professor of public policy and director of the Master of Public Policy program at George Mason University. He is the author of nine books, including, most recently, Power and Prudence: The Presidency of George H.W. Bush (with Ryan Barilleaux) and Executive Privilege: Presidential Power, Secrecy, and Accountability, 2nd Edition, Revised.

Clyde Wilcox is a professor of government at Georgetown University. He is the author or coauthor of several books, including Serious Money: Fundraising and Contributing in Presidential Nomination Campaigns (1995), Onward Christian Soldiers: The Christian Right in American Politics (1996), and Interest Groups in American Campaigns: The New Face of Electioneering (1999). His edited books include Women in Elected Office: Past, Present, and Future (1998), The Politics of Gay Rights (2000), and Understanding Public Opinion, 2nd ed. (2002).

David Madland is a doctoral student in political science at Georgetown University. He has wide-ranging, firsthand experience with a number of interest groups. He has worked as an aide to a member of Congress, been employed by several interest groups, and runs his own political consulting firm.

Table of Contents

Chapters 2-5 end with a Summary.PrefaceChapter 1. Introduction: Interest Groups and American PoliticsA Brief History of Interest Groups in ElectionsDiverse Groups, Diverse GoalsThe One, the Few, or the Many? Interest Groups and American PoliticsInterest Groups and the American Political System, Characteristics of American Government, Characteristics of American Parties, Characteristics of American ElectionsRegulations, Goals, and ResourcesStrategies and TacticsHow this Book is OrganizedChapter 2. Interest Groups and Political PartiesThe Strategic Context: Regulations, Goals, and ResourcesRecruiting and Training Candidates, Approaches to Recruitment, Training MethodsThe Presidential Nomination Process, Delegate Selection, The National Conventions, Influencing Party PlatformsState Party ConventionsFinancing Convention ActivitiesChapter 3. Interest Groups and CandidatesThe Strategic Context: Regulations, Goals, and Resources, The Evolution of Campaign Finance Regulation, Goals and ResourcesPACs: An Overview, Who Forms PACs and Why, PAC ResourcesPAC Contribution Strategies, Influences on Strategic Selection, Influences on PAC Decision MakingGiving Beyond the Limit, Bundling and Coordinated Contributing, Giving to Affiliated Organizations, Contributions to Parties, Contributions of Goods and ServicesChapter 4. Interest Groups and VotersThe Strategic Context: Regulations, Goals, and ResourcesEndorsements, The Endorsement Decision, Contested Endorsements, Endorsements and Voting DecisionsHit ListsRatings, Scorecards, and Voters' GuidesVoter Mobilization, Independent Expenditures s, Issue Advocacy and Electioneering Communications, The 2010 Elections in ContextReferenda and InitiativesChapter 5. Evaluating the Role of Interest Groups in ElectionsPositive and Negative Aspects of Interest Group Involvement, Interest Groups and Political Parties, Interest Groups and Candidates, Interest Groups and VotersReforming the System, Interest Groups and Parties, Interest Groups, Candidates, and VotersDirections for Campaign Finance Reform, Underlying Assumptions, Goals of ReformSummaryKeywords, phrases, and conceptsReferencesIndex

Editorial Reviews

"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

From the Publisher