| The diversity of the Catholic lobby in the federal policy arena is the nature of this study. This dissertation's central point is that the Catholic lobby in Washington, D.C., is not monolithic. Previous studies have concentrated only on the institutional lobby of the bishops and have equated that lobby with the total Catholic lobby. This study disputes that notion by documenting the existence of thirty other Catholic lobby groups in Washington.;In-depth interviews were conducted with these groups which resulted in data that were used to test hypotheses derived from interest group literature. Responses to questions on group formation, maintenance, and strategy were quantified using dBase III Plus. The quantification of essentially qualitative material allowed for testing of hypotheses.;Results show that there is indeed a pluralism within the Catholic lobby. Institutional Catholic groups differ from other Catholic groups in most areas of interest group behavior, confirming Salisbury's description of institutional group behavior. All groups offer forms of selective benefits to members, consistent with the Olsons' benefit theory. In addition, patrons, as described by Walker, are very much in evidence within this lobby. Finally, there are a variety of strategies employed by these groups in their lobbying efforts.;The study contributes to both the literature of religion and politics, as well as the literature of interest group behavior. Both bodies of literature have failed, for the most part, to examine religious lobby groups. By examining the lobby of the largest religious denomination in the United States, valuable new data is provided. |
