Interest Groups: The Problem of Representation

Belief Congruence of Governmental and Interest Group Elites With Their Constituencies

“…Likewise, our findings that Tahoe interest group leaders generally hold more extreme views than their memberships are consistent with the conclusions reached by Luttbeg and Zeigler ( 1966) in their study of the Oregon Education Association in the mid-1960s, with Colombotos's (1969) analysis of AMA leaders and members, with Wood's (1981) study of protestant church leaders and laypeople in Indiana, and with Lichter's (1985) more recent analysis of several Black interest groups. Although Frank and Dobson's (1985) study of two retired persons' associations came to a different conclusionthat is, that leaders and members had congruent beliefs-their complete reliance on agreement scores renders their findings rather suspect.…”

The Participatory and Democratic Potential and Practice of Interest Groups: Between Solidarity and Representation

“…Dunleavy, for instance, reiterates the general consensus in the literature that ‘No group leader can publicly represent members’ interests without regular and open procedures for gauging their views’ (1991, p. 20). In a similar vein, studies such as that of Franke and Dobson (1985) probe the degree to which the policy positions put by leaders ‘represent’ the views of members. This reflects the aggregating function attributed to groups, and the notion that they pursue the interests of ‘members’.…”

A dynamic model of member participation in interest groups

“…Instead, Franke and Dobson (1985) and Sabatier (1992) found evidence suggesting that something else happens, and that purposive-driven members start participating less. Similarly, in her study on collective action for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, Mansbridge (1984) found that high levels of participation simply could not be sustained over time by even the most passionate activists.…”

“…They were essential. As more members joined in later years, founding members formed the 'activist layer' that Franke and Dobson (1985) argue most interest group memberships have. Yet, even original members may become disillusioned over time, especially when they see new, less-committed members join, co-opting the group with new and different ideas.…”