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Common Cause: Fighting Special Interests in U.S. Politics

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Abstract

This paper examines Common Cause, a nonpartisan nonprofit advocacy organization founded in 1970, as a case study in American interest group politics. The paper begins by surveying the broader reasons why interest groups proliferate in the United States — including social complexity, ideological shifts, and government expansion — drawing on the disturbance and entrepreneurial theories of David Truman and Robert Salisbury. It then traces the founding and evolution of Common Cause, arguing that disturbance theory best explains its formation and growth. The paper also addresses Common Cause's key policy achievements, such as the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, and responds to criticism that the organization is ideologically liberal.

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What makes this paper effective

It grounds a specific organizational case study in established political science theory, connecting Common Cause's history to Truman and Salisbury's disturbance and entrepreneurial theories before evaluating which better applies.
It acknowledges and directly responds to the main criticism of Common Cause — that it is a liberal organization — providing concrete evidence of bipartisan legislative impact.
The opening paradox (a "special" interest group fighting special interests) immediately frames the analytical tension the paper resolves, creating a focused and engaging argument.

Key academic technique demonstrated

The paper demonstrates theory application: it introduces two competing academic frameworks (entrepreneurial theory vs. disturbance theory), briefly defines each, and then uses evidence from Common Cause's actual history to adjudicate between them. This move — present theory, present evidence, evaluate fit — is a core analytical skill in political science writing.

Structure breakdown

The paper opens with a broad survey of why interest groups form in the United States, then narrows to Common Cause as a specific example. The middle sections apply competing theories to the organization's founding and evolution. The final section defends Common Cause's nonpartisan credentials by citing bipartisan legislation it helped pass. The argument flows from general context → theory → case study → counterargument → rebuttal.

Introduction: The Rise of Interest Groups in America

An interest group is defined as any organization that seeks to influence public policy. Interest groups are rife within American politics because of the diversity of America, its democratic heritage, and the decline of a robust multiparty system. Interest groups do not arise spontaneously or automatically out of natural social processes. Rather, different social and political factors help explain the proliferation of interest groups during certain volatile periods of a nation's political life.

The Industrial Revolution and the abuses it spawned created the rise of organized labor in the West. In America specifically, government policy — such as the creation of farm subsidies during the New Deal — spawned farmers' lobbying groups. Ideological shifts within the American public created the "Religious Right" of the 1980s. The government's greater role in people's lives prompted consumer rights groups in the 1960s and 1970s to advocate for legislation protecting human health ("Interest Groups" 2007, The Social Studies Help Center).

Theories of Interest Group Formation

According to David Truman and Robert Salisbury, one theory of why interest groups have increased in number points to the greater complexity of American society. This complexity has created social disturbance or imbalance, compelling groups to articulate long-ignored needs or to form associations that give politically cohesive voice to those who have lost social ground ("Interest Groups" 2007, The Social Studies Help Center).

One example of this, ironically, is that of the common voter. The common voter does not necessarily designate a numerically small group, but that does not prevent many ordinary people — those without strong ties to politicians or lobbying organizations — from feeling that the average person's voice has been lost in American political life.

The Origins and Mission of Common Cause

The difficulty of making politicians ethical and responsive to issues rather than to dollars from other interest groups spawned the creation of Common Cause, a nonpartisan nonprofit advocacy organization founded in 1970. The 1960s and 1970s were a socially tumultuous era during which Americans felt the government was becoming increasingly dissociated from ordinary people's needs. Common Cause defines itself as "a vehicle for citizens to make their voices heard in the political process and to hold their elected leaders accountable to the public interest" ("About Us" 2007, Common Cause). Although it is itself a lobbying group, it dedicates itself to fighting against the influence of special interest lobbying groups that use money to push politicians to vote in ways antithetical to the needs of ordinary Americans.

One of Common Cause's most passionate and popular causes is campaign finance reform. Common Cause practices what it preaches — it is almost entirely funded by the often small, individual donations of its members. It is proud that one of the bills it promoted for many years was finally passed with substantial bipartisan support: the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, described as "the most significant campaign reform bill in a generation, banning political parties from raising and spending soft money" ("About Us" 2007, Common Cause).

3 Locked Sections · 340 words remaining

Disturbance Theory and Common Cause's Broad Coalition · 110 words

"How disturbance theory explains Common Cause's diverse membership"

Campaign Finance Reform and Key Achievements · 120 words

"BCRA 2002 and Common Cause's landmark legislative wins"

Criticism and Nonpartisan Defense · 110 words

"Rebutting claims of liberal bias with bipartisan evidence"

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Key Concepts in This Paper

Common Cause Interest Groups Disturbance Theory Campaign Finance Lobbying Reform Soft Money Ban Nonpartisan Advocacy Government Accountability Bipartisan Reform Special Interests