Image versus reality: Ethnic interest groups in the foreign policy process, AIPAC, a case study

AIPAC, the American Israel Affairs Committee, has been widely acknowledged by the media and the foreign policy community to have an extraordinary degree of influence on United States foreign policy. This dissertation argues that, over time, AIPAC has been the most successful of the ethnic lobbying groups. Its influence, however, is more limited than some suppose and is reliant on the existence of certain conditions, both in the political environment and within the organization itself.;This dissertation is an examination of AIPAC since its establishment in the 1950s. The case-study method will be used to examine to what extent AIPAC has influence in the foreign policy process; what resources are necessary for AIPAC to be successful; and under what conditions and using what techniques AIPAC is most effective.;AIPAC possesses important resources, both financial and non-financial. These resources include a vocal membership active in political affairs, a grass-roots community with a strong degree of electoral participation, skilled leadership with a high degree of group coherence, and the reputation for being able to channel large campaign contributions to candidates who favor its position. Many commentators, however, greatly overemphasize Jewish financial resources as the preeminent source of AIPAC's power. AIPAC's effectiveness in the foreign policy process is determined just as much by the successful techniques and strategies of the organization as by material resources.;A major reason for AIPAC's success is its political skill. The organization exhibits great expertise in the operations of Congress and the foreign policy community. It utilizes Congress effectively, maximizing its power by having Congress lobby the executive on pro-Israel issues. AIPAC is skilled in determining an agenda with a reasonable chance of success by analyzing the political environment, evaluating with its allies in Congress what is possible, and then adopting tactics that frequently lead to the desired results. AIPAC has been able to respond to changes in the foreign policy process by transforming its own organization and by altering its strategy in response to shifts in the external environment. AIPAC is a prime example of a minority group's ability to make its position known and to influence governmental decisions.