Organizational cohesiveness and polarization of ethnic foreign policy lobbies in the United States: A comparative study of the pro -Israel lobby and the pro -Arab lobby, 1980s-2000s

Muna Ali Ali, Purdue University

Abstract

Why ethnic foreign policy lobbies are organizationally cohesive or polarized is theoretically explicated in this study. My theory of intra-lobby cohesiveness (Th.ILC) suggests that the achievement of organizational cohesiveness (OC) is contingent upon high levels of the lobby's collective sense of belonging (CSB+) and aggregated self-confidence (ASC+). These levels correspond with the lobby's positive perception of the image of its ethnic community (LPC+). A satisfactory amount of the community's support of the lobby leads to a high level of LPC+. This community's support is mostly determined by the high socio-economic status of the community. The achievement of OC leads to: aggressive lobbying activities in the legislative sphere, a significant impact on the hostland's foreign policy, and a strong relationship between the lobby and the political regime of the original homeland. The findings suggest that the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC was cohesive during the examined years due to its correspondence with those principles. My theory of intra-lobby polarization (Th.ILP) postulates that organizational polarization (OP) is explained by the low to moderate levels of the lobby's collective sense of belonging (CSB-) and aggregated self-confidence (ASC-). CSB- and ASC-correspond with the lobby's negative perception of the image of its ethnic community (LPC-). An unsatisfactory amount of the community's support causes LPC-. The low community's support is mostly affected by the community's non-high socio-economic status. OP results in: limited lobbying activities, an insignificant impact on the hostland's foreign policy, and a weak relationship between the lobby and the political regime of the original homeland. The findings suggest that the pro-Arab lobby NAAA-ADC was organizationally polarized during the time period covered in this study because of its significant CSB- and ASC-.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Targ, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Political science|International law|Judaic studies

COinS