W. W. Norton & Company | We the People, 6th Edition

Chapter 11: Groups and Interests

A continuing problem for interest groups is the free-rider problem. A free rider is one who receives the benefits of a group but does not join it. An example is a worker who does not join the labor union but still receives the union-negotiated wages, benefits, and vacations. Unions, of course, want anyone who receives the benefits to belong to the organization—an arrangement known as a closed shop. Many states have passed right to work laws that forbid a closed shop. What do you think? Should people who enjoy the benefits of a union be required to join? Can a union be effective if people are not required to join?

The tobacco lobby has always been one of the largest and most powerful in Washington. Not only does it give money to strategic legislators, it also has had the strong support of those who have tobacco farmers in their districts. But suddenly tobacco is on the defensive. It has lost some important cases in court and has paid huge settlements to some states. Why do you think the tobacco lobby lost its power? Does its loss of influence predict the fall of other powerful lobbies such as social security, education, and national defense? Why or why not?

Some observers believe that interest groups in the United States are slowly eroding democracy; that is, most groups are interested only in personal gain, not the national interest. Countries such as Japan and Germany have very few interest groups and are thus able to make decisions quickly with a view toward public interest. What arguments can you think of in favor of our pluralist (interest-group-driven) type of government? Now list all the ways you can think of in which interest groups impede democracy. Which system would you prefer: one with many interest groups or one with few?

What is the public interest? Do public interest spokespeople, such as Ralph Nader, represent your own interests? For example, Nader has opposed the North American Free-Trade Agreement (NAFTA) treaty with Mexico and nuclear power. He has also worked tirelessly for automobile safety, the right to get information from the government, and exposing scientific frauds. Is this the public interest or just the interests of another special group?

James Madison asserted that in a free society the clash among competing interests, each pursuing selfish goals, would result in policies that served the common good. Is free competition among competing interests actually the best way to promote the common good? Is such free competition typical in the United States today?

First Name:
Last Name:
Your Email Address:
Your Professor's Email Address:

Instructors now have an easy way to collect students’ online quizzes with the Norton Gradebook without flooding their inboxes with e-mails.

Students can track their online quiz scores by setting up their own Student Gradebook.