Interest Groups

PAC’s – Political Action Committees – Fund political campaigns. Lobbyists- support specific issues, usually business interest, use lawsuits for change, talk to political officials, and media. Interest Groups – Labor unions: use labor strikes for results. Interest Groups – Environmentalist, nurses, automobile workers.

Interest Groups - need a close relationship with policy makers and decision makers Iron Triangle- made up of Congress, Executive departments, and Interest Groups The triangle seeks a policy outcome that benefits all parts. Interest Groups and Political Parties increase people’ involvement in the political process.

Political Parties Two Party System- provides voters with a real choice. True party Democrats and Republicans declining. Political Parties are different from interest groups: Political parties support a wider scope of issues. New Deal Coalition 1930’s included blue collar workers, racial minorities. Northern business owners were not tied to the coalition.

Campaigns, Elections, and Voters Presidential election years have higher voter turnout than non Presidential years. Reasons for low voter turnout – less trusting of the government, yrs old, and people over 65 that are now single. Winner take all, direct election, and plurality – most votes win. Party identification: very important for success

Voter participation- Higher income, college graduates, and men and women are about the same. Political socialization- ways of voting passed down through the family unit. Two types of Primaries: Closed Primaries- Texas. Voters cannot switch parties when they vote in the general election. Open Primaries- Voter can change parties during the general election.

Presidential Primaries are very important to the candidates. Elections can change if voters breakaway from traditional party patterns.