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INTEREST GROUPS

INTEREST GROUPS. What is an interest group?. “America is a nation of joiners.” Alexis deTocqueville It is a private organization that tries to influence public policy (goals that the government sets) They are sometimes called pressure groups, lobbies, and special interest

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INTEREST GROUPS

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  1. INTEREST GROUPS

  2. What is an interest group? “America is a nation of joiners.” Alexis deTocqueville • It is a private organization that tries to influence public policy (goals that the government sets) • They are sometimes called pressure groups, lobbies, and special interest • They are the most effective means for the government to respond to citizens • They function at every level of government

  3. How are they different from political parties? Political Parties Interest Groups • Make nominations • Goal is to control government by getting candidates elected • Broad scope of interest • Interest groups don’t make nominations • Goal is to control policy • Narrow scope of interest

  4. Functions of Interest groups • Stimulate interest in public affairs= raise awareness • Represent members based on shared interest (not geography) • Provide specialized information to gov. officials • Get more people involved in politics= increase political participation • Check and balance gov. agencies and the political process • Compete with one another

  5. Criticisms of interest groups • Some interest groups have disproportionate amount of influence in government (i.e. few members but ability to influence policy a lot) • Names are misleading, so it is difficult to tell how big the interest actually is • Many group leaders don’t represent the group members • Some use bad tactics like bribery

  6. Types of interest groups • Economic, like business, labor or agriculture • Cause, like the environment or alcohol regulation • For the welfare of others, like retired people or veterans, PTA Most people belong to several groups

  7. Economic Interest Groups • These are typically business groups that come together to protect a certain business • United Brewers Association • Oldest business interest group • Began in 1962 when Congress wanted to levy a tax on beer • National Association of Manufacturers • Chamber of Commerce • Protects the interests of small businesses and trade associations

  8. Labor interest groups • Labor union- an organization of workers who share the same industry • Labor unions were much more popular in the post-depression era • AFL-CIO • Generally works to protect the social welfare of its members and any other job-related matters

  9. Agriculture interest groups • National Grange • American Farm Bureau • National Farmer’s Union • These usually try to get more federal programs to help farmers • There are also specific groups, such as wheat growers associations

  10. Professional groups • These are not as large or well-funded as the others • 3 biggest ones are: • AMA- American Medical Association • ABA- American Bar Association • NEA- National Education Association

  11. Interest groups around causes • ACLU- American Civil Liberties Union • League of Women Voters • National Wildlife Federation • Right to Life • Planned Parenthood

  12. Interest groups for the welfare of others • American Legion • AARP- American Association for Retired Persons • NAACP- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

  13. Public Interest Groups • Work for the public good regardless of membership • Examples: • Public Citizen • League of Women Voters • Any group that works for consumers of water or breathers of air

  14. What do interest groups actually do? • Remember that their main purpose is to influence policy, so their work involves trying to influence many areas: • Public opinion • Political parties and elections • Legislation

  15. How do they influence public opinion? • Supply public with information, i.e. advertisements • Build a positive image of the group • Promote a public policy • Usually they employ propaganda to do this and use words like “sound” “fair” “American” when pushing an issue

  16. How do they influence Parties and Elections? • Try to influence the behavior of political parties (you have to change platform for example) • Major source of campaign funds through PAC (Political Action Committees) • Single-Issue Groups- PACs that follow one issue

  17. Lobbying • Pressure on legislators and legislative process • Polite Persuasion • Get information to legislators about an issue • Testify on the Hill on an issue • Draft legislation and speeches • Grassroots Pressure • Push from the bottom (the public) for legislation • Regulations • 1946- Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act • This had too many loopholes • 1995- Lobbying Disclosure Act

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