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

利益集团利用多种手段施加影响，其中联盟策略占主导地位。该项目运用网络理论和方法，为利益集团联盟的研究带来了新的理论视角。这种视角提供了一个视角，其中个人的属性不如网络中参与者之间的关系和纽带重要。该项目解决了有关利益集团行为的三个重要问题：利益集团联盟策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；特定利益集团是否在法院拥有更多权力？利用基于美国最高法院法庭之友（即法庭之友）的共同签署人身份的利益集团联盟网络衡量标准，阐明了从 1930 年至今这一动态网络的核心参与者和总体特征。此外，分析还表明哪些属性使利益群体能够合作，以及网络中的权力如何影响司法决策和诉讼的成功。通过创建适用于 80 年利益集团活动的新网络衡量标准以及利益集团特征的相关数据集，本研究为学者提供了无与伦比的机会来研究利益集团联盟参与政府进程时的相对影响。

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.