Graduate Program

Political Science

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Semester of Degree Completion

2006

Thesis Director

Richard Wandling

Thesis Committee Member

Andrew McNitt

Thesis Committee Member

Melinda Mueller

Thesis Committee Member

Ryan Hendrickson

Abstract

The thesis investigates perceptions of local interest groups concerning policy-making in Decatur, Illinois. Local interest group studies focus on economic groups such as the Chamber of Commerce. Literature indicates that these groups are influential in policymaking because of their important political resources. The literature lacks studies of noneconomic group involvement in policy-making. Furthermore, the literature lacks studies of local interest group processes in medium-sized cities. The thesis looks at noneconomic interest group perceptions of policy-making in a medium-sized city. To investigate perceptions, three hypotheses are explored using nineteen semi-structured interviews with group officials and document analysis. The thesis hypothesizes that these groups will perceive having low political efficacy, having their political resources such as ideas, information, and support for votes not used by policy-makers, and having their agenda not supported by policy-makers. The research finds some support for the hypotheses. Local groups perceive political efforts are limited by factors such as racism, age of members, and lack of professional leadership. For most interest groups, political resources are underutilized by policy-makers. Plus, group representatives perceive their group's agenda as receiving little support from policy-makers. Interest groups are more proactive than predicted and involved in a governmental regime change.

Download

Share

COinS