The NRA - What's Its Power?

Why is it that organized interest groups such as the National Rifle Association wield such powerful influence in policy discussions? According to Professor Mike Munger, the reason is simple. In politics, small but organized groups win.

Politics is sometimes more complicated than simply having the majority of voters on your side. Prof. Munger explains the three main factors that can allow a smaller interest group to succeed in implementing a policy that may be opposed by a larger (but unorganized) group. First, an interest group's members receive individual benefits from the group's success, which encourages them to act. Second, smaller groups will find it easier overcome the "Free-Rider Problem" since each member's contribution is more visible. Finally, interest groups frequently offer selective incentives that reward people who help support their cause.

This economic concept applies to issues far beyond gun rights. Interest groups ranging from environmental activists to rent-seeking corporate lobbyists all understand that Prof. Munger is correct when he says, "Politics in Washington is about concentrating and focusing power."

[singletrack]

The NRA is powerful because, people like me give them money to make our voices heard. We aren't a "small group" at all.

[yellowbusguy]

What this fails to consider, that there may only be 5 million paying members, but those members have gun friendly family and friends that can write their reps and represent gun owners locally.

[HSR]

The really great thing about this channel is that it addresses the facts about how the political economy functions in a format short, concise, and plain enough for the short-attention spanned.

While I typically prefer longer and more detailed presentations, I share the videos from Learn Liberty far and wide.

[GunOwnerDan]

The NRA is a small group? With 5, 000, 000 members the NRA is one of the largest civil rights group ever in history.

[richardbarwick]

all NRA members are armed is why NRA is so powerful

[Gundoggak]

This guy makes a great discussion. He's saying small groups are powerful and easy to organize. I think this also explains why rich people are so powerful even though they're like 1 percent (or less) of the population. The majority (middle and lower classes) seem to think, "Oh, let someone else take care of it" and they have a harder time of organizing things.

[MichaelMungerProf]

Two things, if it matters.  1.  I am an NRA member, and gun owner, myself, just for full disclosure.  2.  I say, IN THE VIDEO, the NRA is not small, and the number of gun owners is not small.   Thanks for watching!  Mike Munger  (PS:  I had had six surgeries on my left eye just before this was made, over a period of a few months.  It is disconcerting, I agree.  What is this guy looking at?)

[xManyHobbies]

That's actually a good comparison. No, I don't have to get a license or license the motorcycle, buy insurance for it or obey any traffic laws on my own property, other private property, or public land. I only have to meet laws and regulations (including licensing and insurance) for the PRIVILEGE (not a right) to operate it on public, government maintained roads. Those fees go back to the state to fund roads, police, etc. I don't know how you draw a parallel to that and the crime of coercion.

[aoshi]

I'm a foreigner and I like the NRA

[xManyHobbies]

Buying guns at gun shows is no different than buying them outside a gun show. Face to face transfers with a private party require nothing. Transfers with a license dealer require a form 4473 and a call to the ATF.

No you probably won't need to shoot a person 30 times. You shoot until the immediate threat to your person and those you are responsible for, is eliminated. That can be more than one attacker obviously. Your statistics (though polluted) do not change our right to self defense.

[bigred]

If you have something to lose and the other side doesn't, of course more people are going to gravitate towards groups like the NRA.

[justinwickel]

millertas absolutely adores the "not sure what you are getting to" line. You will hear that one a lot while debating with him.

[rockycat]

How about concentrating on bigger special interest groups like the Union and the Lawyers Organizations who receive special privileges from policies, power to create or change laws, twisting the words of Constitution to benefit their own agenda, organize protests, being hidden financial banks of money to their political candidates, and corrupting bills to benefit them with contract jobs. The NRA is just a small fish in the ocean of life, who don't really have that much influence in benefiting change but they just have a voice with a right to vote. Stop making the NRA into this huge and powerful interest group that they are Not! They are just citizens who believe in their Constitutional Rights to bear arms and they don't receive taxpayer money to be funded with. How about all those Special Interest Groups who get taxpayer money to be funded with or individuals who receive grant money which is supplied by the taxpayer.

[xManyHobbies]

You're also more likely to drown in a swimming pool than die from a violent crime involving a gun. Most will likely never use an AR-15 for self defense. That doesn't change their right to own one.

[victorchen]

I am a well-educated, non-white millennial, and a proud NRA member. I am the NRA.

[SKSer]

To add to that, they NRA has been around for over a 100 years. It's no secret they veered off to their original purpose as the same thing can be said about the GOP/Dems, but they are still a major player in politics.

[SicQueldorei]

I suppose this train of thought could be logically applied to GLAAD and the ACLU right?

[tijojose]

So many snowflakes are triggered by this video. He’s not advocating gun control. He’s completely neutral. He’s just explaining how a small interest group can have disproportionate influence in politics. He could make the same video about labor unions, protectionists, or the AARP.

[mks]

It just needs to be strong otherwise it means no guns.

[gwho]

incentives, game theory, and economics are so fascinating <3