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Minority Influence and Political Interest Groups

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The Social Psychology of Politics

Part of the book series: Social Psychological Applications to Social Issues ((SPAS))

Abstract

In November 1999, nine-year old Elian Gonzalez arrived illegally in the United States from Cuba. The efforts of the Cuban American National Foundation (CANF) to prevent Elian Gonzalez from being deported are a testament to the potential impact of a vocal minority upon government decision making. CANF aids emigrees from Cuba, oversees U.S. government-funded radio and TV broadcasts in Cuba, and lobbies the U.S. government with the objective of promoting democracy and ending the Castro regime in Cuba. The CANF has approximately 50,000 members, and its political action committee, Free Cuba PAC, donates $100,000 to $200,000 to congressional candidates in each election cycle. The activities of the CANF have contributed to the United States’ unwillingness to consider a policy of engagement and negotiation with Cuba. Speaking in Argentina in October of 1997, President Clinton noted that if Cuba wants to “open up and change direction, then I think even the hardest-line people in Miami—who are basically responsible for the [present] policy—would be open to a different approach” ([Robinson, 1998, p. 50).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan, 49401, USA

    Christine M. Smith

  2. Department of Political Science, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan, 49401, USA

    Polly J. Diven

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  1. Christine M. Smith
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  2. Polly J. Diven
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Loyola University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Victor C. Ottati , R. Scott Tindale , John Edwards , Fred B. Bryant , Linda Health , Daniel C. O’Connell , Yolanda Suarez-Balzacar  & Emil J. Posavac , , , , , ,  & 

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Smith, C.M., Diven, P.J. (2002). Minority Influence and Political Interest Groups. In: Ottati, V.C., et al. The Social Psychology of Politics. Social Psychological Applications to Social Issues. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0569-3_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0569-3_9

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