1. INTEREST GROUPS

2. Bellwork (3/8/2010)  What types of groups/teams/clubs do you belong to?  Do any of these seek to influence the government in any way?

3. Terms  Special interest groups  Political Action Committees (PACs)  Pluralism  Lobbying

4. Special interest groups  particular goal or set of goals that unites the members of a group to appeal to government for help  Why?  Can you name any interest groups?

5. Political Action Committees (PACs)  In order for unions, corporations, or interest groups to contribute money towards a candidate/political party, they must do so through a recognized PAC.

6. Pluralism  Idea that political power should be distributed and shared among various groups in society. Federalist #10, written by James Madison as it appeared in the New York Daily Advertiser, 11/22/1787

7. Lobbying  organized attempt to influence policy making by persuading elected officials to agree or disagree with action on a specific issue

8. So how do people influence the elected officials?  Lobbying  Research and policy proposals  Litigation – Brown v. Board of Education  Grassroots

9. Expenditures Source: http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/index.php