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

利益集团利用各种技术施加影响，其中联盟策略占主导地位。本课题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透镜，在这个透镜中，个人的属性不如网络中行动者之间的关系和纽带重要。这个项目解决了三个重要的问题，利益集团的行为：如何有利益集团联盟的战略随着时间的推移而变化;哪些因素决定利益集团是否一起工作;和特定的利益集团在法院行使更多的权力？利用基于美国最高法院法庭之友或法庭之友简报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年到现在这个动态网络的核心参与者和总体特征。此外，分析表明，哪些属性使利益集团合作，以及网络中的权力如何影响司法决策和诉讼成功。通过创建一个新的网络措施，适用于80年的利益集团活动和利益集团特征的相关数据集，这项研究为学者提供了一个无与伦比的机会，研究利益集团联盟的相对影响，因为他们从事政府的过程。

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.