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Interest/Pressure Groups

Interest/Pressure Groups. In the American Political System. Interest Group - A Definition. An interest group is a private organization of like-minded people whose goal is to influence and shape public policy. Interest groups are “extra-constitutional”. Early Development.

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Interest/Pressure Groups

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  1. Interest/Pressure Groups In the American Political System

  2. Interest Group - A Definition • An interest group is a private organization of like-minded people whose goal is to influence and shape public policy. • Interest groups are “extra-constitutional”.

  3. Early Development • Date back to the time of the “Founding Fathers” • Seen as power-hungry • Believed to “promote instability, injustice, and confusion”

  4. Types of Interest Groups • Economic • Ideological or single-issue • Public interest • Foreign policy • Governmental

  5. Economic Groups • Business • Trade Associations • Labor • Professional Associations

  6. Ideological Groups • Motivated for or against a particular issue, such as gun ownership and abortion rights

  7. Public Interest Groups • Motivated by such issues as the environment, safe energy, consumer protection, and good government.

  8. Foreign Policy Interest Groups • Concerned with the relationship between the United States and foreign nations. Examples include the Council on Foreign Relations, and AIPAC—the American-Israel Political Action Committee.

  9. Government Interest Groups • Represent the interests of government employees, as well as elected officials from state and local governments.

  10. Characteristics and Power of Interest Groups • Size and resources • Cohesiveness • Leadership • Techniques • Intensity

  11. Interest Group Techniques • Appeals to the public and mass media • Mass mailings • Influence of rule making • Litigation • Election Activities/electioneering • Forming a political party • Lobbying

  12. Growth of Interest Groups

  13. Interest Groups vs. Political Parties • Interest groups… • support candidates, but cannot nominate them • take a narrow focus on most issues • compete for influence over elected officials

  14. Interest Groups vs.Political Parties (con’t.) • Political parties… • can nominate candidates • focus on a broad range of issues to appeal to a broad range of people • compete for control of the branches of govt. to control policy making

  15. Proposals for Reform • Increasing the number of groups • Full disclosure • Increased federal and state regulations

  16. Examples • Check out this web site for links to examples of the most influential interest groups in the U.S.! http://www.smpcollege.com/SMP_GOVT/policy. html

  17. Interest/Pressure Groups A necessary evil… what do you think?

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