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Interest Groups

Interest Groups. Chapter 11. What is an Interest Group?. An Interest Group is—. Political Parties Nominating and electing candidates Controlling government Concerned with wide range ___________. Interest Groups Don’t choose candidates—create and influence ___________

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Interest Groups

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  1. Interest Groups Chapter 11

  2. What is an Interest Group? • An Interest Group is—

  3. Political Parties Nominating and electing candidates Controlling government Concerned with wide range ___________ Interest Groups Don’t choose candidates—create and influence ___________ Influencing and controlling policy Concerned with interest of __________ *Same in that they want to influence public policy and give a voice to citizens Interest Groups

  4. The Birth of Interest Groups • Why do we have so many? • 1. • 2. • 3. • History • Since 1960 ---70% of Interest Groups have establish DC as home base • 1770’s— • 1830’s--- • 1860’s-- • 1880’s— • 1900-1920— • 1960’s—

  5. Rise of Interest Groups • Economic Developments • New ________defined • ex: mass production and labor unions • Government Policy • ________ • Creates veterans associations etc. • Social Movements • Strong leaders…. • 1960’s anti-war movements—college enrollment

  6. Types of Interest Groups • Institutional— • Business groups—General Motors---AMA (American Medical Association) • Bread and butter issues • Membership—organization representing a group of people • social , business, professional, veteran, charitable • Labor Groups—ex. AFLCIO • Agricultural groups—ex. American Farmers Bureau • Professional groups—ex. American Bankers Association • Citizen’s groups—ex. Public Citizen, Inc. Ralph Nader Consumer safety group • Environmental groups—ex.Sierra Club • Religious groups • Foreign groups * Creates a sense of political efficacy

  7. Why do we Join? • Solidarity Incentives— • Small local units • Often facilitated by the Gov’t • Ex—NAACP, LOWV, PTA • Material Incentives— • May influence policy that effect members services • EX—Farm organizations, AARP • Purposive Incentives— • Benefits both members and non-members • Influenced by the mood of Gov’t ; may prosper if gov’t is hostile to their agenda • Sense of passion about the goal • . • Minimal cost to join • Ideological-- • Public— • Civil---

  8. Roles of Interest Groups • Represent— • Participation/grassroots— • Education/propaganda— • Agenda Building— • Program Building—

  9. Interest Groups Influence Public Policy • Interest groups use a variety of methods to influence public policy • Lobbying- • Lobbyists are ______ by interest groups to represent them, because they know the political system and who has the power to change policy • There are 6,000 lobbyists registered with Congress and they represent more than ________________ • Lobbyists are usually ______ government officials. Some are lawyers or are in public relations. They are often called “political persuaders”.

  10. Interest Groups Influence Public Policy • Media Campaigns- • Court- • Letter Writing Campaign- • Pac's-

  11. Interest Groups and Public Opinion • Lobbyist—approach legislators directly to persuade them to vote for their position. Sometimes are called “political persuaders”. • . • . • . • . • .

  12. Interest Groups • Lobbyist provide legislators with information through pamphlets, reports, and statistics (This information may be bias. If it is not accurate, the lobbyist will lose credibility with his contacts) • Lobbyist and other members of interest groups have also helped legislators draft bills

  13. Interest Groups • Interest groups support candidates who will support their policies • Threaten to withhold campaign funds • Other interest groups may contribute more funds to get a candidate elected • Contributions do not automatically guarantee that a lawmaker will support their cause, but it does assure access to the officials • The larger the group, the more diverse the interest of its members. These groups can not usually adopt broad-based policy goals • Although most large interest groups have a lot of financial support, they only have a small staff • Lobbyist do not usually approach members that are committed to the opposite view, but cultivate relations with those legislators they know will support their issues

  14. Interest Groups and Social Movements • Social Movement– • The Environment • 1890’s—conservation issues, Sierra Club, 1930’s WWF • 1960’s formal legislation—Environmental Defense Fund and Environmental Action founded • Movement spawned both extreme and moderate sub groups

  15. Interest Groups and Social Movements • Feminist • Solidarity--- • Purposive – • Material— • Unions • Many unions were formed as the result of social movements dying out • Membership is difficult to ___________ • Economic changes do not work to unions benefit—individual bargaining • Public approval has declined • Do offer members benefits ex---National Educational Association

  16. Where do they get the $$ • Foundation Grants • 1/3 of their money comes from larger _____________ • Federal Grants (projects) • Federal gov’t gives money to IG’s to support ___________________ • Direct Mail • Use of _________has expanded their ability to easily raise individual funds

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