American Politics and Government

1. American Politicsand Government Interest Groups and Political Parties

2. Review • Input functions (5) • Things the system takes from the people • Things the people use in the system • Output functions (3) • Things the system gives to the people • Results of the system

3. Interest Groups – Typology • Economic Groups • Business • Agricultural • Labor • Public Employee • Professional

4. Interest Groups – Typology • Environmental Groups • Audubon Society • The Nature Conservancy • The Sierra Club • Greenpeace

5. Interest Groups – Typology • Public-Interest Groups • Mothers Against Drunk Driving • Common Cause • League of Women Voters • ACLU • Oregon State Public Interest Research Group

6. Interest Groups – Typology • Other Groups • National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) • Right to Life • American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) • American – Israeli Political Action Committee (AIPAC) • EMILY’s List

7. Interest Group Strategies • Direct • Lobbying • Legislator Ratings • Campaign Assistance • Amicus Curiae Briefs • Political Action Committees (PACs) • 5/50 Rule • $5,000 per election per candidate

8. Interest Group Strategies • Indirect • Grassroots Efforts • Media • PACs • $5,000 per election per candidate • But unlimited spending otherwise • Shotgun and Rifle approaches

9. Interest Groups • Functions performed:

10. Political Parties • Functions performed:

11. Questions • Are interest groups a positive force in America or a negative one? • Does the fact that other countries lobby the American Congress make Congress stronger or weaker? • What is the purpose of Congress? • What is the difference between political parties and interest groups?