Policy, Groups, and Interest Convergence

I felt that Schneider and Ingram held a strong point with their group theory, in the article “Social Construction of Target Populations: Implications for Politics and Policy”. It is often those strong, positive group powers that hold the largest advantage as policy movers. Groups such as the elderly, or rich, white businessman are often times the beneficiaries of policy, while requiring little individual effort. On the other side, groups seen in a negative light, such as criminals or drug abusers face a long uphill battle in establishing favorable policy. Schneider and Ingram write that it is hardest for these groups to influence policy, and any change requires the largest relative burden of responsibility. Due to the increased burden, what is the role of interest convergence in establishing minority policies?

The concept of “interest convergence” is often applied to minority rights, but can also be attributed to other minority opinions/groups. It essentially refers to the theory that minority groups will receive policy recognition only when it converges with the interests of the majority. For example, the Brown v. Board of Education decision to desegregate schools is also seen as a lateral foreign policy move. The United States was in the middle of the Cold War and used desegregation as a way of combating communist propaganda. How does interest convergence hurt minority groups? In my opinion, interest convergence is at a least a way of entering the political game. If it does require a minority group entering the policy world through a big player, than at least there is some initial impact of policy influence. As deviants are drug abusers or criminals (or even those with AIDs, who are similarly frowned upon) able to create any relationship with those belonging in the “strong, positive” square?

I think that the most effective way for those groups with negative constructions and/or weak power is to create alliances with other more favorably viewed groups. Alliances can create power political partnerships. Often times these alliances can be created through “interest convergence”. For example, in the early 90’s, middle-class black businessman in Atlanta were able to align themselves with white developers and create a relatively affluent black population in the downtown area. Blacks at the time would probably have fit in the weak, and less favorable block of groups. I think that it is currently necessary for groups that find themselves outside the focus of policymakers, to make adjustments and latch on to policy influence through other groups.