Interest Groups

Interest Groups*

Groups who share common interests on public issues

Want to shape public policy in their favor.

Interest Groups

Found in every area of government.

Our society is pluralistic and is not controlled by one single elite

All different groups are competing for power.

Interest Groups and Political Parties Parties nominate

candidates, interest groups support candidates*

Parties want to control government, I.G. want to control policy*

Parties concerned with range of issues, I.G. concerned only with issues that affect their members*

Interest Groups

Fear of factions Madison and the

Federalist #10 Separation of

Powers -- combats too much power for one group.

Economic Interest Groups*

Business Groups/Trade Associations (Chamber of Commerce)

Labor Groups (UAW)Agricultural Groups (The Grange)Professional Associations (ABA)

Other Interest Groups*

Issue Oriented- promote a cause or idea (ACLU)

Specific Group Oriented - promote welfare of a group (NAACP)

Religious Group Oriented (National Council of Churches)

Public Interest Group*

Work for the public good (LWV)

Interest Groups

Functions of Interest Groups

The GoodStimulate awareness of and interest in

public affairs

Represented on shared beliefs

Provide useful info to the government

Interest Groups

The GoodVehicles for political participation

Add to checks and balances

Interest Groups

The BadPush own special interests which may not

be in best interest of others

Influence out of proportion in size and importance

Hard to tell how large groups are

Interest Groups

The BadMay not represent views of all people for

whom they speak

Interest Groups

Lobbyists*: those who try to persuade public officials to do things the interest group wants them to do

Interest Groups

Direct Approach-Talk to govt. officials-Contributions-Bring lawsuits-Draft legislation-Influence agency and

judicial appointment

Indirect Approach-Use of advertising-Propaganda-Letters-Electioneering-Fundraising