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Interest Groups and Political Participation

Interest Groups and Political Participation. Definition of Interest Group an organized group of individuals share common goals or objectives influence policymakers in all 3 branches of government and at ALL levels. How is an Interest Group different from a Political Party?

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Interest Groups and Political Participation

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  1. Interest Groups and Political Participation

  2. Definition of Interest Group • an organized group of individuals • share common goals or objectives • influence policymakers • in all 3 branches of government and • at ALL levels

  3. How is an Interest Group different from a Political Party? • Political parties are organized to win elections, to operate the government and to be public policy decision makers • Parties want to be the government; interest groups want to influence the government.

  4. Types of Interest Groups • Predominately economic • businessand trade, e.g. AMPI, NRA • labor - represent workers, e.g. AFL-CIO • government- (A.F.S.C.M.E.) • professionals– e.g. ABA, AMA, CFA • Life style – e.g. Christian Coalition, ACLU, Public Citizen, Sierra Club • Single Issue – e.g. Right to Life, NRA

  5. Members Money Information Expertise in area of interest Resources of Interest Groups

  6. How are Resources Utilized? • Membership is mobilized • Ratings –legislators scored based on their votes and constituents aware of scores • Campaign Assistance – provide workers for political campaigns • Political Action Committees – raises $$ and donates on behalf of organizations to political parties and candidates.

  7. Ongoing Direct Techniques Lobbying Meeting with decision makers Testifying before committees AND before rulemaking agencies Assisting with drafting of legislation Providing information policy areas Assisting in nominating individuals to government posts How are Resources Utilized?

  8. Related Activities • Public Pressure –influence by using public opinion polls on an issue • Using Constituents as Lobbyists • shotgun --constituents act in concert to write letters, email, or phone • rifle- influential member contacts a legislator on issue e.g. Ex-legislator • Building Alliances – form alliances with other groups who share policy goal

  9. Demonstration Techniques- Creating a media event or exploiting a media event to raise public support. Initiating or Support Cases in Courts- e.g. class action suits, amicus curiae briefs Related Actions

  10. Limitation on purchasing drugs from Canada. Impact on Clean Air and Clean Water regulations. Impact on gun ownership and impact on civil society Is Lobbying Effective?

  11. CITIZEN NEEDS: Information on what government is doing Cooperation with others to press agenda Voice – in addition to elections Access to decision makers at all levels When Government Operates 24/7

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