Interest Group Connection - 2nd edition

"The readings in The Interest Group Connection are solidly rooted in our theories about organized interests and American politics more generally. Yet, they are strongly anchored in very real and fascinating cases of contemporary Washington politics. Given these strengths, it is hardly surprising that this reader has become an essential tool in classes on the politics of organized interests."

--David Lowery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

"Interest group politics in the U.S. is enormously rich and complex. The Interest Group Connection brings interest group politics to life in a variety of issue areas and institutional settings, dispelling any simplistic notions of 'special interest' in?uence. This collection is ideal for classroom use, providing comprehensive coverage in a lively and readable style, and incorporating the latest scholarly research in the context of recent changes to campaign ?nance and lobbying regulations."

--Christine Day, University of New Orleans

"This is the book that those of us who teach interest group courses have been waiting for -- a stimulating mixture of high-quality, up-to-date scholarship and intriguing insider perspectives."

--Graham K. Wilson, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"A detailed portrait of the creative, complex, and sometimes surprising ways in which interest groups respond to political change. The authors lead the reader through the web of relations between groups and the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, as well as the electoral connections and efforts to shape public opinion that are increasingly important tools of policy influence. The result is a renewed appreciation of the role of interest groups in a democratic society and the means by which they foster representation and promote civic participation."

--Anthony Corrado, Colby College

"The Interest Group Connection touches all the bases of Washington-based interest group research. The authors cast a new, positive light on a feature of American politics most critics have come to view with disdain. That they are convincing should be reason enough to recognize this book as significantly different from other books on interest groups."

--Richard Herrera, Arizona State University

CQ Press Web Site, December, 2004

Part I. Introduction

Making the Connection: Organized Interests, Political Representation, and the Changing Rules of the Game in Washington Politics, Ronald G. Shaiko

Part II. Electoral Connection

Interest Groups and Campaigns: The Electoral Connection, Paul S. Herrnson

Interest Groups and Federal Campaign Finance: The Beginning of a New Era, Robert Biersack and Marianne H. Viray

Interest Groups in Congressional Elections, Richard Semiatin and Mark Rozell

Group Advocacy in the New Hampshire Presidential Primary, Linda L. Fowler, Constantine J. Spiliotes, and Lynn Vavreck

Presidential Elections: Travelling the Hard and Soft Roads to the White House, Stephen J. Wayne

Part III. Congressional Connection

Continuity and Change in the Congressional Connection, Clyde Wilcox and Dong-Young Kim

Interest Groups, Campaign Fundraising and Committee Chair Selection: House Republicans Play "Musical Chairs", Paul R. Brewer and Chris J. Deering

Making Connections to the Appropriations Process, Joseph White

The Christian Right Goes to Washington: Social Movement Resources and the Legislative Process, John C. Green and Nathan S. Bigelow

Protecting America's Workers in Hostile Territory: Unions and the Republican Congress, Peter L. Francia

Dolly Goes to Washington: Coalitions, Cloning, and the Role of Inter-Group Trust, Kevin W. Hula

Part IV. The Executive Connection

Lobbying the Executive Branch: Outside-In and Inside-Out, Kathryn Dunn Tenpas

The Legal-Institutional Framework for Interest Group Participation in Federal Administrative Policymaking, David H. Rosenbloom and Suzanne J. Piotrowski

Lobbying the Executive Branch: Exploring Interest Group Participation in Executive Policymaking, Scott R. Furlong

Who Serves Special Interests? The President, Congress, and Interest Groups, Paul J. Quirk and Bruce F. Nesmith

Part V. The Judicial Connection

Lobbying the Justices or Lobbying for Justice? The Role of Organized Interests in the Judicial Process, Karen O'Connor

Cigarettes, Firearms, and the New Litigation Wars: Smoking Guns Behind the Headlines, Wayne V. McIntosh and Cynthia L. Cates

Defending the Faithful: Conservative Christian Litigation in American Politics, Hans J. Hacker

Part VI. Conclusion

Interest Groups at the Dawn of a New Millennium, Paul S. Herrnson, Ronald G. Shaiko, and Clyde Wilcox