INTEREST GROUP STRATEGIES| 239Source: “Lobbying Database,” http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/index.php (accessed 1/30/12); GPO Access, Budget of the United States Government, Historical
Table 1.1 (FY 2012), available at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BUDGET-2012-TAB/pdf (accessed 10/31/12).
GROWTH IN FEDERAL SPENDING AND IN LOBBYING
In general, as the federal government has grown, so has the number of lobbyists. One explanation is that lobbyists get the
government to spend money that it otherwise would not. Can you think of a diff erent explanation that is consistent with
the data?
2000$1.792001 2002 2003Total Federal Outlays2004Trillions20052006200720082009$1$2$3$4 $3.82$1$2$42010 2011Registered LobbyistsThousands200012,7192001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 200912,59251015202010 2011FIGURE » 8.2
total federal spending. This diff erence raises a critical question: If interest groups
could control policy choices by spending money on lobbying, why aren’t they
spending more? We will address this question throughout the remainder of this
chapter, focusing on how groups lobby and the limits of their infl uence over gov-
ernment policy.Interest Group Strategies
Once a group has organized and determined its goals, the next step is to decide how
to lobby. There are two types of possible tactics: inside strategies, which are
actions taken in Washington, and outside strategies, which are actions taken
outside of Washington.^19Inside Strategies
Inside strategies involve contact with elected offi cials or bureaucrats. Thus, inside
strategies require a group to establish an offi ce in Washington or hire a lobbying
fi rm to act on its behalf.inside strategies The tactics
employed within Washington, D.C.,
by interest groups seeking to
achieve their policy goals.
outside strategies The tactics
employed outside Washington, D.C.,
by interest groups seeking to
achieve their policy goals.EXPLORE THE WAYS
INTEREST GROUPS
TRY TO INFLUENCE
GOVERNMENT POLICIES