INTEREST GROUPS AND PUBLIC POLICY CHAPTER 11, SECTIONS 2 & 3 CE.7d MR. COLLINS & MR. HALL

Terms to Know Lobbying – seeking to influence legislators to introduce or vote for or against a bill Bias – one-sided point-of-view Impartial – considering all viewpoints

Ways Individuals Influence Public Policy Participating in Politics – voting and campaigning Expressing opinions – lobbying, demonstrating, and writing letters Joining Interest Groups

Types of Interest Groups Economic Interest Groups – concerned with economic issues (Chamber of Commerce) Private Interest Groups – Promote religion, gender, ethnicity, or the environment (NAACP, NOW, Greenpeace) Public Interest Groups – Work to benefit all of society

Ways Interest Groups Influence Public Policy Identifying issues Making political contributions Lobbying government officials

Techniques Interest Groups Use Endorsement – getting famous people to support them Stacked Cards – presenting only one side of an issue by distorting the facts Bandwagon – convincing everyone that everyone else believes a viewpoint Symbols – American Flag, Pledge of Allegiance

Techniques (cont.) Glittering Generality – a statement that sounds good but is meaningless (return to family values) Just Plain Folks – attempting to make people feel the candidate is like them Name-calling – an unpleasant label for another person or group

FUNCTIONS OF INTEREST GROUPS A: Bring issues to the public B: Represent concerns of specific groups C: Support local candidates who favor their interests

LOBBIES To influence public policy, interest groups need govt. officials to support their interests Lobbyists: paid employees or volunteers who work for interest groups Lobbyists must know the right agencies, depts., and officials to talk to

WHERE TO LOBBY? HOW TO LOBBY? Where: Local, state, and federal govt. How: Research issues, present facts to lawmakers, perhaps testify at House or Senate committee hearings Arouse public opinion on issues—gets people to pressure lawmakers

REGULATION OF LOBBIES Today most lobbyists are professional and ethical: gifts and bribes have reduced Regulations have been made on: Registering federal lobbyists Time periods for ex-public officials to join interest groups

International Issues that Affect Public Policy International issues and events that would require policy decisions by local government officials could include the following: Public health concerns in the event of a pandemic Public safety in the event of an act of terrorism Economic development policies in response to the emerging global economy Policies to protect the environment (e.g., wildlife protection)