The Not-So-Special Interests: Interest Groups, Public Representation, and American Governance
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The Not-So-Special Interests: Interest Groups, Public Representation, and American Governance
The Not-So-Special Interests: Interest Groups, Public Representation, and American Governance

The Not-So-Special Interests: Interest Groups, Public Representation, and American Governance

By
Matt Grossmann (Author)  

Hardback

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"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 special-not "public"-interests, much organized advocacy is designed to advance public interests and ideas. Advocacy organizations-more than 1,600 of them-are 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. CPSIA choking or other US hazard warning - No California Proposition 65 hazard warning necessary
Matt Grossmann is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Michigan State University. He directs the Michigan Policy Network and is a coauthor of Campaigns & Elections: Rules, Reality, Strategy, Choice. More information on The Not-So-Special Interests and his other work can be found online at http://www.mattg.org.
  • Contributor: Matt Grossmann
  • Imprint: Stanford University Press
  • ISBN13: 9780804781152
  • Number of Pages: 248
  • Packaged Dimensions: 152x229mm
  • Packaged Weight: 454
  • Format: Hardback
  • Publisher: Stanford University Press
  • Release Date: 2012-04-11
  • Binding: Hardback
  • Biography: Matt Grossmann is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Michigan State University. He directs the Michigan Policy Network and is a coauthor of Campaigns & Elections: Rules, Reality, Strategy, Choice. More information on The Not-So-Special Interests and his other work can be found online at http://www.mattg.org.

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