Chip Taylor

Business-related interest groups

The Washington Post has three articles related to the multiplicity of competing chambers of commerce in the DC area.

With Many Chambers, Choice Isn't So Simple: Businesses Shop for Best Fit Before Joining

In Prince George's, Four Voices Sing Same Song: Business Boards Share Message but Stay Apart

Kilgore Endorsement Falls Flat in Fairfax: PAC Picked Republican, but Kaine Won Big

I've no time for extended comment other than to point out:

(1) If "business" was truly a monolithic interest group there would be no need for multiple chambers in a community,

(2) In competing for members, groups offer many different incentives, not just lobbying activity, and

(3) As pointed out by Mancur Olson, if the non-political incentives are attractive enough, then the political goals of leaders and the rank-and-file may diverge.