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Chapter 9: Interest Groups. PETTERSON/DALEBOUT. 1. What is an Interest Group?. A private organization that promotes the interests of its members. They influence public policy, or the goals government sets and actions it takes to meet them.
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Chapter 9: Interest Groups PETTERSON/DALEBOUT
1. What is an Interest Group? • A private organization that promotes the interests of its members. • They influence public policy, or the goals government sets and actions it takes to meet them. • NOT a political party. Focus on one or a few specific interests. • Raise awareness of issues • What are some examples of interest groups?
Its all about… …Pie.
4. Different interest groups • What types of interest groups exist? • What is the purpose of interest groups? • Purpose Example • Promote business American Bankers Association • Organize labor Fraternal Order of Police • Protect agricultural int. National Farmers Union • Promote professions American Medical Association • Promote social prog. Veterans of Foreign Wars • Religious purposes American Jewish congress • Public good League of Women Voters • Web page:
8. How do Interest Groups Achieve Goals? • Propaganda is a technique of persuasion aimed at influencing individual or group behaviors. • Its goal is to create a particular belief which may be true or false. • Political Action Committees (PACs) raise and distribute money to candidates who will further their goals. • Lobbying is any activity by which a group pressures legislators and influences the legislative process. • Send articles, reports, and information to candidates. Testify on legislation, mobilize grassroots.
2 and 3. Are interest groups good or bad? Good: • Stimulate interest in public affairs. • Help people with similar views come together and make a difference. • Provide useful information to government. • Act as watchdog on government. • Compete with each other. Bad: • Some groups have an influence far out of proportion to their size or importance. • Groups do not always represent the views of the people they claim to speak for. • In rare cases, groups use tactics such as bribery, threats, and so on. • Use propaganda
Unit Exam 2 PreviewPolitical Behavior: Government By the People • Get out your Unit 2 Intro • Unit Exam will be worth 55 points and covers 5 Chapters. • This is not something you want to wait until the last minute to study! • Covers: • Chapter 5: Political Parties • Chapter 6: Voters and Voter Behavior • Chapter 7: The Electoral Process • Chapter 8: Mass Media and Public Opinion • Chapter 9: Interest Groups
Unit Exam 2 PreviewPolitical Behavior: Government By the People • Know your vocab – 32 points • What is: • Electorate? • Splinter Party? • Split-ticket voting? • Political Efficacy? • Gerrymandering? • Polling Place? • Transients? • Opinion Leader?
Unit Exam 2 PreviewPolitical Behavior: Government By the People • Main Ideas – Multiple Choice – 28 Points • What is a universe? What are steps to making a poll? • What form of media gives 80% of the population political information? • Who votes in a closed primary? • How do minor parties contribute to the political process? • What are functions of political parties? • What is propaganda?
Unit Exam 2 PreviewPolitical Behavior: Government By the People • For POLS 101: Critical Thinking Essays – 30 points • 6 questions that test your ability to evaluate the things covered in class and put it in your own words. Questions?