interest groups chapter 18. purpose: communicate “wants” to government leaders – influence...
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Interest GroupsChapter 18
Purpose: Communicate “wants” to government leaders – influence public policy1.Share common goals and organize to influence government2.Address specific problems or issues in society3.Unite like-minded people from all over the country 4.Derive strength in numbers
• Government will respond better to large groups than individuals
• They have access to more money• Organization• http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos/2hdefm/better-know-a-lobby---american-meat-institute
Defining Interest GroupsDefining Interest Groups
Why Join? Why Join?
• Economic interests• Individual beliefs, values, or attitudes
(political ideology)•Non-political (social)
•Upper income levels•Who is looking out for the rest of us?
Who Joins? Who Joins?
Types of Interest GroupsTypes of Interest Groups• Business and Labor
• (AFL-CIO, National Association of Manufacturers, United Mine Workers)
• Agricultural Groups• (NFU – National Farmers’ Union)
• Others• Professional (ABA), Environmental (Sierra
Club, Greenpeace), Public Interest (Common Cause), Government
How does an Interest How does an Interest Group influence PolicyGroup influence Policy
• Generating Public Pressure – trying to influence the government by using public opinion on an issue
• Hiring professional Lobbyists• Using Constituents as Lobbyists (letter-
writing campaigns)• Media Campaign• Building Alliances – forming partnerships
with groups who share a policy goal
Limitations of Interest Limitations of Interest GroupsGroups
•Different groups have different, sometimes conflicting goals
• Larger Interest Groups have more diverse interests
• Smaller Interest Groups have more narrow goals
• Laws to avoid corruption
Interest Groups: Interest Groups: The The PositivePositive
• Individual citizens can influence government beyond just voting
• Increase the interest and participation of voters
• Gives minority groups access to all branches of the government
• Continued expansion of interest groups is expected
Interest Groups: Interest Groups: The The NegativeNegative
• Power of interest groups greater than ever before
• Raise and spend large sums of money to support candidates and parties, • This support buys access and the internet is
a great tool for rallying the troops• Also provide endorsements to candidates
during campaigns: ____________________• Open Secrets
Major Special Interest Major Special Interest GroupsGroups
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People http://www.naacp.org
• American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organization http://www.aflcio.org
• American Medical Association
http://www.ama-assn.org/• National Education Association
http://www.nea.org/
Influencing Public PolicyInfluencing Public PolicyLobbyistsLobbyists
•What is lobbying?•Direct contact with lawmakers or
government leaders•What is a lobbyist?•Representative of an interest group•Therefore serves as direct influence by
an Interest Group• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBELC_vxqhI
Who is a Lobbyist?Who is a Lobbyist?• Individual paid by an interest
group• By law, must register with Congress• By law, must file reports to disclose
activities• By law, must estimate salary from the group
they represent
• Revolving Door: Many lobbyists are former government officials
What Does a Lobbyist What Does a Lobbyist Do?Do?• Meets with Congressmen and women
• Provide reports, statistics, and other relevant information
• Testify before congressional committees during hearings or investigations
• Help members of Congress draft bills
Stuff I forgot to explain• Cloture-means to bring an end to
floor debate. It is used to stop a filibuster in the Senate. (No cloture rule in the House) But cloture is rarely used because it takes a 3/5 vote of the Senate to invoke cloture, which is hard to get.