In recent years, there has been much criticism of interest groups because many believe they possess too much power in the policy process. Such critics point to the size, power, and financial resources of groups like the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), who they say possess the ability to either secure passage of or block proposed legislation regardless of whether it is in the “public interest” to do so. Describe the different types of interest groups outlined by Anderson and the goals that each type pursues. Do you think that interest groups serve a positive or negative purpose in the policy process? Why? Have interest groups become too powerful over time? Why or why not? Finally, do you think that some types of interest groups are better than others?
Since the first half of the twentieth century, the president has had more influence and power in the budgeting process, though Congress still must pass appropriation bills. Compare and contrast the presidential and Congressional budget-making processes. How do these processes affect public policymaking? Discuss how presidential impoundment powers and legislative vetoes have influenced the budget process. In the end, who do you think should have more control in the budget process: the president and the executive agencies who administer the funds or Congress? Why?
Imagine that you are a legislative aide to a US Representative from your home district. A proposed piece of legislation concerning the establishment of a DNA sample database of violent offenders that is intended to help law enforcement agencies across the nation investigate other violent crimes has been approved in the Committee on the Judiciary and will be coming up for a vote on the House floor in the upcoming weeks. Using what you know about policy-makers and their environment, how would you advise your boss to vote on this issue? In your report, consider the factors of the political culture of your home district as well as socioeconomic factors that might be helpful to consider. Is your home district urban or rural? Is there a high crime rate that might cause the citizens of your district to strongly favor such a program? Also, how do you think other governmental actors (the president, the courts) and nongovernmental actors (interest groups, research organizations) will respond to this piece of legislation?
Choose a substantive policy area at the federal level (for example, the use of the death penalty for federal capital crimes). Give a brief explanation of your policy area. Using this area, describe what the classic “iron triangle” would look like. Who would the actors be in this area? Be sure to identify and describe each of the actors. Then, use Anderson’s concept of the “policy community” to describe the policy area. What other actors would be involved in your policy area under the “policy community” that are not present in the “iron triangle?” After you have described each, which do you think is a better framework for the policy area that you have chosen? Why? One way to frame this final question is to ask yourself: do outside actors, such as research organizations have a difficult time influencing policy or do they play an active role in the area that you have chosen?
Compare and contrast congressional decision-making with presidential decision-making. What are the defining characteristics of each kind of decision-making? What challenges do each face? Does one style of decision-making work better than the others in each, or do they all work equally well? Why? Is decision-making a smoother process in one as compared to the other? If so, which one and why? Finally, do you think that either Congressional or presidential decision-making produces better outcomes, or do they both produce equally good (or bad) outcomes? Why?
written by David L. Henry, Western Michigan University
