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Interest Groups

Interest Groups. Student Expectations. Analyze different points of view of political parties and interest groups on important contemporary issues. Analyze and evaluate the consequences of a government policy that affects a place or a region. Interest Groups.

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Interest Groups

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  1. Interest Groups

  2. Student Expectations • Analyze different points of view of political parties and interest groups on important contemporary issues. • Analyze and evaluate the consequences of a government policy that affects a place or a region.

  3. Interest Groups • Interest groups want to PASS POLICY • BUT don’t run their own candidates for office • Interest groups can “access,” or influence many points and levels of government

  4. Interest Group Examples • AARP (American Association of Retired People) • Sierra Club (Environment) • NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) • NOW (National Organization of Women) • ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) • PIRGs (Public Interest Research Groups) • NEA (National Education Association) • AMA (American Medical Association) Thousands of interest groups in the US

  5. Sierra Club

  6. United Auto Workers (UAW)

  7. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

  8. American Association of Retired People (AARP)

  9. National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

  10. Interest Group Politics • Are interest groups good or bad for Americans politics? • Pluralism, Elitism, and Hyperpluralism

  11. Interest Groups and Pluralism Theory • Many interests and groups prevents one from being too powerful • Linkage Institution – links people and government, gives voice to people • Federalist 10 – factions are bad, but a necessary evil • All groups are not equal, but gives voice

  12. Interest Groups and Elitism Theory • Yes, there are lots of groups, but many do not matter AT ALL • Power held by business groups – MONEY • Most interest groups have no power

  13. Interest Groups and Hyperpluralism • Interest groups causing political chaos • TOO MANY GROUPS • Government trying to please everyone, resulting policies are haphazard and ill-conceived • Ex. – support removing business regulations and support environment protection??? • impossible

  14. What makes Interest Groups powerful? • Size • Power of AARP – 25% of the population 50 and over • Intensity – drive or effort put forth (single issue groups fall into this category) • Money • form a PAC (Political Action Committee) – donate money to campaigns and advertising

  15. Types of Interest Groups • Economic – Labor unions, agricultural, Business, Professional • Consumer – public interest, environmental • Equality and Justice – racial issues, gender issues, minority issues

  16. How Interest Groups Work • Lobby – (aka Buttonholing) influence government policy Ex - call/email officials, meet and socialize, go to lunch, testify at committee hearings, ask for political favors • Electioneering – keep people in office who are sympathetic to group wants and needs Ex. - GIVE MONEY TO CAMPAIGNS

  17. How Interest Groups Work • Litigation – (aka amicus curiae – “friends of the court”) (1) File briefs that consist of a written argument for their side OR… (2) groups sue business or gov for action • Appealing to the public – make the group’s own public image look good • The “Ratings Game” – interest groups rate politicians based on voting records

  18. How do Interest groups get money? • Donations (YOU!) • Foundations Ex. - Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation • Federal grants and contracts

  19. Results Campaign contributions from PAC, Soft Money, and Donations – 2000 elections

  20. The Revolving Door • A criticism of interest groups • Government officials quit their jobs or don’t get reelected • Then take government jobs for a certain lobbying agency • Fear that private interests by business have an unfair influence on gov decisions • Ex- official does favor in return for later job

  21. Student Expectations • Analyze different points of view of political parties and interest groups on important contemporary issues. • Analyze and evaluate the consequences of a government policy that affects a place or a region.

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