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Interest Groups

Interest Groups. Sec. 1:Organization and Membership. A. Interest Group: A group of ppl who share common goals and organize to influence gov’t. 1. Sometimes called pressure/special-interest. 2. Protected by First Amendment. 3. Functions of Int. Groups: a. Stir up public interest in issues

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Interest Groups

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  1. Interest Groups

  2. Sec. 1:Organization and Membership • A. Interest Group: A group of ppl who share common goals and organize to influence gov’t. • 1. Sometimes called pressure/special-interest. • 2. Protected by First Amendment.

  3. 3. Functions of Int. Groups: • a. Stir up public interest in issues • b. Represent their constituents • c. Educate gov’t and public. • d. Role in Checks and Balances • e. Increase participation in pol. process.

  4. 4. Criticisms lodged against int. groups • a. Neg. impact on parties. • b. Large amounts of $, leads to gov’t corruption. • c. Disproportionate influence of gov’t. • d. Selfish interests at heart.

  5. B. Power of Interest Groups • 1. Differ from parties • a. Parties nominate candidates for office • b. Parties=who of gov’t, Int.=what of gov’t. • c. Parties=wide range of issues, Int=Narrow • d. Parties organized by geography, int. organized by common values. • 2. Power comes from “strength in numbers”

  6. C. Leadership and Membership • 2. Why do people belong to interest groups • a. promote individual’s economic self-interests • b. promote individual’s beliefs, values, attitudes • c. serve as a social function.

  7. 2. Types of Interest Groups • a. Economic (Occupational) Interests: • 1)Business: Chamber of Commerce • 2)Labor: UAW, Teamsters • 3) Agricultural: Dairymen’s assc • 4) Professional: ABA, AMA, ADA, NEA

  8. b. Promote cause/idea • 1) Environ. Groups: Sierra Club • 2) NRA • 3) MADD/SADD • 4) Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

  9. c.Promote welfare of certain population segments. • 1. AARP • 2. NOW • 3. NAACP • d. Public Int. Gps: Policies to benefit all persons. • 1. Ralph Nader’s Public Citizens Inc.

  10. Sec.2: Methods of Interest Groups • A. Work of lobbyists: Either full-time employees of the interest group or hired from law firms or P.R. firms to directly contact lawmakers and other gov’t officials. • 1. Lobbying Tactics • a. Provide useful info to gov’t officials. • b. testifying before a congressional committee • c. drafting bills • d. raising $ • e. go to court and litigate • f. Run publicity campaigns

  11. B. Regulation of Interest Groups • 1. Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act (1946) • a. Lobbyists must register w/ Congress, identify their employer, report salaries and expenses, file expense reports. • b. Law has loopholes: Only $ spent on direct contact w/ legislators is reported. • c. Criticism: lets fox (Congress) protect the chicken house.

  12. 2. Factors that limit the effectiveness of interest groups • a. Interest groups cancel each other out. • b. Larger the group, more diverse are the interests. • c. Most organizations struggle to pay small staffs.

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