Title The not-so-special interests : interest groups, public representation, and American governance / Matt Grossmann

Published Stanford, Calif. : Stanford University Press, 2012

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Description 1 online resource (x, 236 pages) : illustrations Contents pt. 1. Who is represented? -- pt. 2. Whose voice is heard? Summary "Lobbyist" tends to be used as a dirty word in politics. Indeed, during the 2008 presidential primary campaign, Hillary Clinton was derided for even suggesting that some lobbyists represent "real Americans." But although many popular commentators position interest groups as representatives of specialnot "public"interests, much organized advocacy is designed to advance public interests and ideas. Advocacy organizationsmore than 1,600 of themare now an important component of national political institutions. This book uses original data to explain why certain public groups, such as Jews, lawyers, and gun-owners, develop substantially more representation than others, and why certain organizations become the presumed spokespersons for these groups in government and media. In contrast to established theory and conventional wisdom, this book demonstrates that groups of all sizes and types generate advocates to speak on their behalf, though with varying levels of success. Matt Grossmann finds that the advantages of organized representation accrue to those public groups that are the most politically motivated and involved in their communities. Organizations that mobilize members and create a long-lasting presence in Washington become, in the minds of policymakers and reporters, the taken-for-granted surrogates for these public groups. In the face of perennial debates about the relative power of the people and the special interests, Grossmann offers an informed and nuanced view of the role of organizations in public representation and American governance Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index Notes English Subject Pressure groups -- United States. Lobbying -- United States Representative government and representation -- United States POLITICAL SCIENCE -- Political Process -- Elections. POLITICAL SCIENCE -- Political Process -- General. Lobbying Politics and government Pressure groups Representative government and representation SUBJECT United States -- Politics and government. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85140410 Subject United States Form Electronic book LC no. 2011044277 ISBN 9780804781343 0804781346 080478115X 9780804781152

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