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Chapter 7 - Interest Groups. 2. Interest Groups. Who Governs the U.S.?Three theories:The PeopleAmerican voters govern through their elected officials. Power EliteC. Wright Mills argued that a small group, possessors of power, wealth, and celebrity" occupy key positions in American society..
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1. Democracy Under Pressure Chapter 7
Interest Groups
2. Chapter 7 - Interest Groups 2 Interest Groups Who Governs the U.S.?
Three theories:
The People
American voters govern through their elected officials.
Power Elite
C. Wright Mills argued that a small group, “possessors of power, wealth, and celebrity” occupy key positions in American society.
3. Chapter 7 - Interest Groups 3 Interest Groups 3. The Establishment
Richard H. Rovere described it as a “loose coalition of leaders of finance, business, the professions, and the universities, who hold power and influence in the U.S. regardless of what administration occupies the White House.”
4. Chapter 7 - Interest Groups 4 Interest Groups Pluralism
a system in which many conflicting groups within the community have access to government officials and compete with one another in an effort to influence policy decisions.
5. Chapter 7 - Interest Groups 5 Interest Groups Interest Groups
Private groups that attempt to influence the government to respond to the shared attitudes (values) of their members.
Three types of Interest Groups
Single-Issue
Public Interest
Political Action Committees (PACs)
6. Chapter 7 - Interest Groups 6 Interest Groups Single-Issue IG
Usually works to promote a single issue. Examples include:
NRA
MADD
PETA
7. Chapter 7 - Interest Groups 7 Interest Groups Public Interest IG
Works in the fields of environment, Consumer Protection, health, minority rights,
8. Chapter 7 - Interest Groups 8 Interest Groups Political Action Committee (PACs)
Independent organizations, but more often the political arms of corporations, labor unions, or interest groups, established to contribute to candidates or to work for general political goals.
Example: National Association of Realtors Political Action Committee or the American Medical Association Political Action Committee.
9. Chapter 7 - Interest Groups 9 Interest Groups Lobbying
Communication with legislators or other government officials to try to influence their decision.
Lobbyists also seek to influence officials of the executive branch, regulatory agencies, and sometimes the courts.
10. Chapter 7 - Interest Groups 10 Interest Groups Lobbyists Tools:
Money
Information