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Interest Groups

Interest Groups. Why so Interested?. Interest groups: an organization of people with shared policy goals entering the political process to achieve these goals. How are these groups different from political parties? Policy specialists Don’t need to appeal to all

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Interest Groups

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  1. Interest Groups

  2. Why so Interested? • Interest groups: an organization of people with shared policy goals entering the political process to achieve these goals. • How are these groups different from political parties? • Policy specialists • Don’t need to appeal to all • Interest groups have grown rapidly due to technology • What is a lobbyist? • Groups of people seeking to influence a politician

  3. Looking Back • Pluralism: theory of gov’t stating that many groups compete and balance each other in politics • Elitism: A few groups (primarily wealthy) control politics • Hyperpluralism: Groups have become too strong and the gov’t concentrates on pleasing them

  4. Group Theory of Pluralism • Groups provide a key link between people and government. • All legitimate groups can have a hearing from the government • Groups compete • No one group is likely to become too dominant • If one group is exerting too much force, other groups match the pressure on politicians • Groups usually play by the rules of the game • Groups weak in one resource can use another. • Business has cash, but labor has people.

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