Collaborative Research: The Evolution and Influence of Interest Group Networks before the Supreme Court

利益集团运用多种手段施加影响，其中以联盟策略为主。本项目运用网络理论和方法，为利益集团联盟的研究提供了一个新的理论视角。这种观点提供了一个视角，即个人的属性不如网络中参与者之间的关系和联系重要。该项目解决了关于利益集团行为的三个重要问题：利益集团联盟战略如何随着时间的推移而变化；哪些因素决定利益集团是否合作；特殊利益集团是否在法院面前拥有更大的权力？利用基于美国最高法院法庭之友或法庭之友简报的共同签署人地位的利益集团联盟的网络测量，从1930年到现在，这个动态网络的核心参与者和总体特征被阐明。此外，分析还揭示了哪些属性促使利益集团合作，以及网络中的权力如何影响司法决策和诉讼成功。通过创建一个适用于80年利益集团活动的新网络度量和利益集团特征的相关数据集，本研究为学者们提供了一个无与伦比的机会来研究利益集团联盟在参与政府过程时的相对影响。

Interest groups use a variety of techniques to exert influence, among which coalition strategies are dominant. This project brings a new theoretical perspective to the study of interest group coalitions by applying network theory and methods. Such a perspective provides a lens where the attributes of individuals are less important than the relationships and ties among actors in the network. This project addresses three important questions about interest group behavior: how have interest group coalition strategies changed over time; which factors determine whether interest groups work together; and do particular interest groups wield more power before the Court? Utilizing a network measure of interest group coalitions based on cosigner status to United States Supreme Court amicus curiae, or friend of the court briefs, the central players and overall characteristics of this dynamic network from 1930 to present-day are illuminated. In addition, the analyses suggest which attributes bring interest groups to work together and how power in the network influences judicial decision-making and litigation success. Through the creation of a new network measure applicable to 80 years of interest group activity and an associated data set of interest group characteristics, this research provides scholars an unparalleled opportunity to study the relative impact of interest group coalitions as they engage the governmental process.