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Interest Groups

This text discusses the functions of interest groups in government, their role in representing and educating the people, and how they connect the government to the people. It also explores the different types of interest groups and their strategies, such as lobbying and grassroots efforts.

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Interest Groups

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  1. Interest Groups Linkage Institutions

  2. Interest Groups • Organized group of individuals seeking to influence the government and policies *they operate at all levels of government (state and national)

  3. Lobbyist • Representative for an interest group

  4. MNC • Preserve Mac and Cheese!! • We are dedicated to protecting this national treasure! Mill KeeChedda (lobbyist)

  5. So why would a group like “MNC” need a lobbyist? • Turn to an elbow partner and come up with 2 reasons

  6. Now, in all seriousness … why would a group like PETA or a labor union or the NRA form? Why would they need lobbyists? • With your elbow partner, come up with two reasons.

  7. Functions of Interest Groups

  8. Representation • Serves as a link between government and the people

  9. Education • Increase people’s awareness and interest • Educate government with data to make good policies

  10. Participation • People work together for a common goal

  11. Agenda building • Bring issues to public and government attention • Make sure something is done to fix issues

  12. Program Monitoring • Keep track of government programs that are important to the group’s goals

  13. In your own words … • What is the function of interest groups in our government? • In other words, what do they do?

  14. Why do interest groups form? • Remember Federalist No. 10?? – Madison says factions are undesirable but inevitable • Why? People naturally group together to address concerns, interests, etc.

  15. How do interest groups link the government to the people? • Express members’ desires to elected officials • Convey government policy plans to the people • Raise and spend money to influence government officials

  16. How are interest groups different from political parties? • Parties: ELECT individuals to office, focus on broad topics and are accountable to all people • Interest Groups: INFLUENCE elected officials, focus on one topic, and are accountable only to members (private organization)

  17. How do Interest Groups connect people to the government? • What do you think? • Give examples!

  18. Types of Interest Groups • Economic Interest: primary purpose is to promote the financial interests of its members • Business • Labor • Professional • Agricultural

  19. Business • Companies have interest groups monitor legislation that may impact business • Examples: Chamber of Commerce, NAM (National Association of Manufacturers)

  20. Labor • Union organizations that represent worker’s rights • Examples: AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor – Congress of Industry Organization)

  21. Professional • Membership based on job • Examples: NEA (educators), AMA (medical), ABA (American Bar Association – lawyers)

  22. Agricultural • Shape agricultural/farming policies EX: National Farmers Union, Farm Bureau

  23. Types of Interest Groups: • Public Interest – wants collective good that doesn’t focus on benefitting just one group of people • Environmental • Equality • Single-issue

  24. Environmental • wilderness protection, pollution, animal rights, no offshore drilling, etc. • Ex: PETA, WWF (World Wildlife Federation) and Sierra Club

  25. Equality • Equal rights for minority groups • Ex: NOW, NAACP, VFW and AARP

  26. Single-Issue • Focus on one issue (instead of a group of people) • Ex: Planned Parenthood, NRA

  27. If you were going to join an Interest Group, which would you join? Why?

  28. Strategies • What do interest groups do?

  29. Influencing elections/electioneering • Campaign contributions (amount is limited per candidate  PACs) • Grassroots efforts • Public awareness

  30. Litigation • Take issues to court if Congress won’t support (example: NAACP supports Brown v. Board case because Congress wasn’t moving forward on segregation legislation) • Class-action suit: people combine lawsuits into 1 stronger case • Amicus curiae brief – legal document by “friend of the court” supporting 1 side of a case

  31. Going public: • Appeal to the people for support • Raise awareness of issues • Raise money through PACs • PACs are formed by interest groups to raise money for campaign or candidate

  32. Lobbying ** • Try to influence the government (policymakers) by providing information and data

  33. Direct Lobbying: use of personal contact • Congress – many lobbyists were Congressmen and have friends in Congress • Executive – provide decision makers at all levels with information to help implement laws • Judicial – litigation, amicus curiae briefs (cannot directly “lobby” judges, would be improper)

  34. Grassroots Lobbying • “the people back home” • Write letters, emails, fax, phone calls, petitions to representatives/senators

  35. Coalition Lobbying • Several groups join together for a common goal

  36. Protest/radical lobbying • Use force to bring attention to a cause • Examples: PETA (red paint or “blood” of fur worn by celebrities), Civil Rights groups (sit-ins, protest marches, etc.)

  37. What is lobbying? • With your elbow partner, come up with 3 characteristics of lobbying. Be prepared to share!

  38. What makes interest groups successful? • Size • Leaders • Intensity • Money

  39. Size • More people = more calls, emails, campaign work and bigger protests • BUT more people can lead to conflict AND free-rider problem • Free-rider – people who benefit from work of the group without doing any work

  40. Leaders • Strong, charismatic leaders find a way to attract members and are persuasive about importance of issues

  41. Intensity • The more passionate the members are about a cause the more effort they will put into the group

  42. Money • Groups need funding to hire lobbyists, support PACs, write amicus curiae briefs and other activities • More money can make up for less passion from members

  43. Think of an example of a successful interest group… 1. Why are they successful? 2. What is their goal and how do they achieve it?

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