The influence of farm interest groups in the agricultural policy-making process /

Abstract

Analysis of the data indicated that exchange theory could be applied successfully to explain interactions between lobbyists and policy makers. In general, exchange benefits and traditional group lobbying techniques and characteristics were not successful in explaining group goal attainment.

Content analysis of hearings on the 1976 agricultural appropriations legislation and 1977 omnibus farm legislation served as the data base. Testimony of 68 groups that testified on the appropriations legislation was content analyzed; 44 groups' testimonies concerning the 1977 general farm legislation were content analyzed.

This study used Salisbury's (1969) exchange theory to examine interactions between interest group lobbyists and congressmen. Exchange theory inducements (material, purposive, solidary, and coercive) were examined for relationships to interest group goal attainment (policy output) as were other variables (e.g., organizational structure, resources, tactics of influence, etc.). The early portions of the study provide an overview of domestic and foreign agricultural policy, plus a brief review of interest group literature, including that on farm interest groups.