Organizational Power and Lobbying Analysis
1. Lack of Cooperation for Common Interests: One of the central ideas presented by Mancur Olson in “The Logic of Collective Action” is that groups of individuals with common interests often struggle to work together to achieve those interests. This phenomenon occurs due to the problem of collective action and free-rider behavior. When a group’s benefits are shared among all members regardless of their individual contributions, people tend to avoid contributing, assuming others will do the work. In the case of taxes, individuals might believe that if everyone else pays taxes, they can benefit without having to contribute themselves. This leads to collective inaction, as no individual wants to bear the cost alone.
2. Business Organizational Advantage: Businesses have an advantage in organizing to represent their interests compared to other groups. They are more likely to overcome the collective action problem because they have a clear structure, hierarchy, and economic incentives. Businesses can more easily enforce contributions from their members or employees, as those who don’t contribute might lose their jobs or face negative consequences. Additionally, businesses often have a direct financial interest in the outcomes of their lobbying efforts, which provides a strong motivation to organize and engage in collective action.
3. Solving Collective Action Problem and Political Power: Groups solve the collective action problem by employing mechanisms that encourage cooperation, such as selective incentives, coercion, and leadership. Selective incentives could be benefits that are only available to contributing members, which encourages participation. Coercion involves making contributions mandatory, and leadership entails having individuals or entities that take charge of organizing the group’s efforts.
Olson considers political power a “by-product” of other activities because as groups organize and cooperate to achieve their primary goals, they inadvertently gain political influence. This influence can arise from the resources they accumulate, the networks they build, and the recognition they receive. For example, labor unions might initially form to protect workers’ rights, but over time, they amass the resources and membership base that give them significant political power.
4. Lobbying Organization for Dianne Feinstein: An organization that has been associated with lobbying the government to represent the interests of the office of Dianne Feinstein could be the National Iranian American Council (NIAC). This organization has been involved in advocating for policies related to Iran and Iranian-American relations.
5. Relationship to Dianne Feinstein: The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) may have a relationship with Senator Dianne Feinstein as she represents a state with a significant Iranian-American population, and her office might engage with organizations advocating for this community’s interests.
6. Lobbying Example and Goals: NIAC may aim to influence U.S. foreign policy towards Iran, focusing on issues such as diplomacy, sanctions, human rights, and cultural exchanges. They might engage in lobbying efforts by meeting with legislators, testifying before relevant committees, organizing public awareness campaigns, and contributing to political campaigns.
As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, I cannot provide specific examples of their recent lobbying efforts or whether they have succeeded or failed in achieving their goals since that time. You would need to consult current news sources or the organization’s official website for up-to-date information on their lobbying activities and their outcomes.
QUESTION
Description
First, read Charles Lane’s article in the Washington Post and then read the excerpts from Olson’s The Logic of Collective Action. Use the following questions to guide your analysis in an essay-style response. Do not answer the prompt questions one-by-one.
• Why is it uncommon for groups of individuals who have a common interest to work together to achieve that common interest (e.g., if everyone benefits from government services, why don’t people voluntarily pay taxes)?
• Why are businesses better able to organize to represent their interests than other groups?
• How do groups solve the problem of getting individuals to work together to achieve a common goal? Why, therefore, does Olson consider political power a “by-product” of other activities? What are Olson’s examples of groups where political power is a by-product of their normal activities?
• Using Google, Wikipedia, or other internet resources, identify an organization that lobbies the government to represent the interests of the office of Dianne Feinstein. You can choose an organization that the office of Dianne Feinstein has had contact with rather than one that represents your interests. Using the organization’s website, Google News, Wikipedia or other internet resources, find an example of this organization lobbying the government on behalf of your industry or its workers (e.g. donating money to a political campaign, testifying before Congress, promoting its own agenda in a public relations campaign).
• Describe the organization you identified. What is Senator Dianne Feinstein’s relationship to that organization?
• What is the organization trying to accomplish through its lobbying efforts in the example you identified? Has it succeeded or failed yet?
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