ARE YOU READY TO HAVE YOUR MIND BLOWN AWAY?!?!?!?!?!?

1. ARE YOU READY TO HAVE YOUR MIND BLOWN AWAY?!?!?!?!?!?

2. What is an Interest Group? • An organization whose members hold similar views on public issues • Seek to influence the making & execution of public policy • Through engaging in political and public policy processes

3. How Do They Differ From Political Parties? • Interest Groups DON’T • nominate candidates • Focus on winning elections • Concern themselves with a broad range of issues

4. Benefits of Interest Groups • Stimulate interest in public affairs • Serve as a vehicle for participation in the political process Health Care Advocacy Group Leads Protest Over Governor's Proposed Cuts

5. Criticisms of Interest Groups • Having influence disproportionate to their size • Occasionally use unethical tactics

6. Types of Interest Groups • Most people belong to several organizations defined as an interest group • Most represent economic interests • Business, labor, agriculture, certain professions • Some are devoted to social and political causes, religious interests, or the welfare of a certain segment of the population • Public-interest groups work for some aspect of the public good • http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/mems.php?party=R&cycle=2012

7. What do Interest Groups do? • Supply the public with information favorable to the group’s cause • Work to build a positive image for the group • Promote the group’s policies • Frequently use propaganda to achieve their goals

8. Lobbyists – Who they are… • Lobbying is the process of persuading public officials to take actions favorable to a given organized group.  • Lobbyists are usually paid employees or hired hands for an interest group.  They have access to public officials and present the concerns, agenda, and needs of the interest group. 

9. Lobbyists – What they do… • Access is the most important advantage which lobbyists have over ordinary people.  • Lobbyists build up rapport with public officials over years, often decades.  • Having the elected official as a college buddy, former business associate, or family member certainly helps.

10. Fortune Power 25 – Most Influential Interest Groups in Washington • National Rifle Association of America- Gun Ownership • AARP- Senior Citizens • National Federation of Independent Business- Small and Independent Businesses • American Israel Public Affairs Committee- Pro-Israel Policy • American Association for Justice- Lawyers • AFL-CIO- Union Leadership • Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America- Big Business • National Beer Wholesalers Association- Alcohol • National Association of Realtors- Real Estate • National Association of Manufacturers- Industrial Business • National Association of Home Builders of the United States- Home Construction • American Medical Association- Doctors • American Hospital Association- Hospitals

11. Fortune Power 25 (continued) • National Education Association of the United States- Education • American Farm Bureau Federation- Agriculture • Motion Picture Association of America- Movies • National Association of Broadcasters- TV and Radio Broadcasters • National Right to Life Committee- Pro-Life Policy • Health Insurance Association of America- Health Insurance • National Restaurant Association- Restaurant • National Governors' Association- Governors • Recording Industry Association of America- Musicians • American Bankers Association- Banking and Lending • Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America- Pharmaceuticals • International Brotherhood of Teamsters- Blue-Collar Labor

12. People/ Employees Companies / Industries Social Organization Special Interest Groups Lobbyists / Lobbying Firms Political Action Committees Politicians