Linkage Institutions Political Parties Interest Groups 1

A Rich Man’s Game – Article Discussion (Part 1) Using your copy of “A Rich Man’s Game” please complete part 1 of the reading guide on your own. Your work will be collected and graded (20 points) You have 15 minutes. 2

A Rich Man’s Game – Article Discussion (Part 2) 1.Do you agree with the title of this Article? Why? Why not 2.Is it accurate to call elections and political campaigns a “rich man’s game”? 3.Is the current party system something that the Framers would approve of? Why? Why not? 3

Topic 10.7 Interest Groups Guiding Question: To what extent do interest groups advance or harm democracy? 4

Standard USG.3.18 Identify the role and development of special interest groups in politics and explain their impact on the development of state and local public policy. USG.4.7 Examine the influence individuals, businesses, labor, and other organizations, interest groups, and public opinion has on United States foreign policy. USG.5.6 Explain and give examples of important citizen actions that monitor and influence local, state, and national government as individuals and members of interest groups. 5

Interest Groups Learning Targets: 1.Be able to identify and describe the functions of interest groups. 2.Be able to recognize the roles of different interest groups (especially on your own lives). 3.Be able to describe how interest groups influence public opinion. 6

Relevant Vocab and Ideas Linkage Institutions Public Policy Interest Groups Public Affairs Lobbying Lobbyist Amicus Curiae brief Consensus PAC PAC donations How does political socialization mold the values a person develops? Trade associations Economic Interest Groups Revolving Door Interest groups are policy specialists. Why? Citizen’s United v. FEC Service Oriented Interest Group 7

Interest Group Definition Interest Groups are organizations dedicated to a certain political goal or set of unified goals all related to spreading a specific view point to try to influence the outcome of elections and legislation. They provide specialized and BIASED information on a specific topic/issue. The more interests there are in a nation the more interest groups are created. IGs try to persuade people to respond to its members’ shared attitudes NOTE: Parties are B r o a d; Interest Groups are narrow. Provide an avenue for participation Increase public awareness Increase representation 8

Interest Groups - Historically Historically, one reason interest groups are so common in the U.S. is that they can easily gain access to government. 9

Interest Group – Basic Functions Collection of people who Share certain views Work to shape public policy Persuade public officials Given their right by first amendment: “right of the people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Also Called: “pressure groups” “special interest groups” “Organized interests” Lobbying is the process by which group pressures are applied to legislators, the legislative process, and all aspects of the public policy-making process. 10

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Interest Groups – Basic Structure/Types Basic Structure: Interest Group - organizations dedicated to a certain political goal… PAC (Political Action Committee) – interest groups seeking to exert influence on the electoral process can honestly and openly funnel money into the campaign reserves of their supporters. Types: Economic Interest Groups  Lobby on behalf of consumers Trade Associations – interest groups within the business community Public Interest Lobbies – non-profits (well organized) Seek a collective good, the achievement of which will benefit everyone, not just members or activists Government Interest Groups – State run (federalism, mandates, etc.) Note: One way ALL interest groups become involved in the election process is by providing campaign funds. They DO NOT nominate candidates. 12

This is who we are this is what we do… Information & Protection The most important and effective commodity at the command of interest groups is INFORMATION. WHY: Because legislators cannot be experts on all issues, and they rely on lobbyists for information. Legal protection for interest groups is provided by the 1 st Amendment. 13

Topics of Interest Groups Unlike the major political parties, interest groups are interested in the what of government rather than the who. Gun Control/2 nd Amendment Rights Climate Change Creationism vs. Evolution Health Insurance Abortion Labor Relations Citizens United v. FEC – USSC rules that Corporations have the same right of freedom and spending as citizens. Therefore they can not be limited in their ability to donate to political campaigns etc. 14

Particular Interest Groups NRA AFL-CIO-Labor Unions AARP ACLU Christian Coalition National Farmers Union 15

These are real The U.S. Association of Reptile Keepers The National Association of Ordnance/Explosive Waste The Balloon Council Sports Fan Coalition American Pyrotechnics Association The American Dehydrated Onion and Garlic Association swear-are-real 16

Propaganda Start with a conclusion- explain why it is right Stack the deck-only offer one side Label the other- Ultraliberal Ultraconservative Wing Nut Fascist Communist Talking points- American, sound, fair, balanced, just, common sense HOWEVER: Lobbyists are restrained from misrepresenting facts or misleading legislators by the fear of losing legislators’ trust and confidence. 17

Examples of Interest Group Propaganda New NRA Anti-Obama Ad Boston Teachers Union After A Government Health Care Takeover After A Government Health Care Takeover America Is At Stake 18

Lobbyists are… Lobbyist – An individual member of an Interest Group that attempts to influence decisions made by officials in the government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies. 19

Lobbyists do… Lobbyists use access points to reach government officials to affect policies. They are people who try to persuade public officials About 30,000 lobbyists Roughly 2 billion spent annually “These folks are gooooooood.” Well informed, persuasive, well financed, very powerful MUST be registered with Clerk of the House and Secretary of the Senate MUST and report activities Limited by increasing impression of impropriety Constrained by various laws: Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act Federal Election Campaign Act of 1974 Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 Monetary limits on campaign donations 20

Lobbying Congress (the legislative branch) Submit prepared statements Testify before congressional hearings-may be true, may be false, or misleading Provide information and ideas to members of Congress Campaign contributions Write speeches Draft legislation 21

Lobbying the Executive Branch Try to influence President’s appointments Laws written in broad terms-lobbyists try to influence Provide campaign contributions Contact a bureaucrat on how you’d like to see policy implemented 22

Lobbying the Courts (the Judicial Branch) Brown v. Topeka Board of Education NAACP (interest group) ACLU takes on unpopular causes-represents fringe groups Gone Too Far: Our Kids in Handcuffs (3:13) Gone Too Far: Our Kids in Handcuffs Why the respect of teachers is worth cultivating… Amicus curiae brief- written arguments presented to a court in support of one side in a dispute 23

Indirect Lobbying Nationally: AARP-something affects retirees, you are sure to hear about it Grass roots- Average Voters applying pressure “at large”  low level Vote or Die (7:28) Vote or Die HIP HOP P. Diddy's "Vote or Die 24

Ideological realignments occur as a result of… new voters some kind of national crisis new issues 25

The Revolving Door The term revolving door refers to departing a government official joining a lobbying firm with which they had been doing business. 26

Review Activity 1.Working with a partner please begin completing the review activity for Political Parties and Interest Groups. 2.This is not optional today. 27

Linkage Institutions - Overview and Homework Cram for the exam (4:00) – Political Parties Cram for the exam Cram for the Exam (4:00) – Interest Groups Cram for the Exam (4:00) Please study for the test of Topics 10.7 (Interest Groups) and 11.1 (Political Parties) 28