1. Interest Groups

2. Interest Groups* Groups who share common interests on public issues Want to shape public policy in their favor.

3. 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.

4. 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*

5. Interest Groups Fear of factions Madison and the Federalist #10 Separation of Powers -- combats too much power for one group.

6. Economic Interest Groups* Business Groups/Trade Associations (Chamber of Commerce) Labor Groups (UAW) Agricultural Groups (The Grange) Professional Associations (ABA)

7. 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)

8. Public Interest Group* Work for the public good (LWV)

9. Interest Groups

10. Functions of Interest Groups The Good Stimulate awareness of and interest in public affairs Represented on shared beliefs Provide useful info to the government

11. Interest Groups The Good Vehicles for political participation Add to checks and balances

12. Interest Groups The Bad Push 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

13. Interest Groups The Bad May not represent views of all people for whom they speak

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

15. 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