Interest Groups Chapter 18

Defining Interest Groups Purpose: Communicate “wants” to government leaders – influence public policy Share common goals and organize to influence government Address specific problems or issues in society Unite like-minded people from all over the country Derive strength in numbers Government will respond better to large groups than individuals They have access to more money Organization

Why Join? Who Joins? Economic interests Individual beliefs, values, or attitudes (political ideology) Non-political (social) Upper income levels Who is looking out for the rest of us? Who Joins?

Types of Interest Groups Business and Labor (AFL-CIO, National Association of Manufacturers, United Mine Workers) Agricultural Groups (NFU – National Farmers’ Union) Others Professional (ABA), Environmental (Sierra Club, Greenpeace), Public Interest (Common Cause), Government

How does an Interest Group influence Policy? Generating Public Pressure – trying to influence the government by using public opinion on an issue Hiring professional Lobbyists Using Constituents as Lobbyists (letter-writing campaigns) Media Campaign Building Alliances – forming partnerships with groups who share a policy goal

Limitations of Interest Groups Different groups have different, sometimes conflicting goals Larger Interest Groups have more diverse interests Smaller Interest Groups have more narrow goals Laws to avoid corruption

Interest Groups: The Positive Individual citizens can influence government beyond just voting Increase the interest and participation of voters Gives minority groups access to all branches of the government Continued expansion of interest groups is expected

Interest Groups: The Negative Power of interest groups greater than ever before Raise and spend large sums of money to support candidates and parties, This support buys access and the internet is a great tool for rallying the troops Also provide endorsements to candidates during campaigns: ____________________ Open Secrets

Major Special Interest Groups National Association for the Advancement of Colored People http://www.naacp.org American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organization http://www.aflcio.org American Medical Association http://www.ama-assn.org/ National Education Association http://www.nea.org/

Influencing Public Policy: Lobbyists What is lobbying? Direct contact with lawmakers or government leaders What is a lobbyist? Representative of an interest group Therefore serves as direct influence by an Interest Group

Who is a Lobbyist? Individual paid by an interest group By law, must register with Congress By law, must file reports to disclose activities By law, must estimate salary from the group they represent Revolving Door: Many lobbyists are former government officials

What Does a Lobbyist Do? Meets with Congressmen and women Provide reports, statistics, and other relevant information Testify before congressional committees during hearings or investigations Help members of Congress draft bills

AARP – American Association of Retired People* Moveon.org Sierra Club Christian Coalition* ATLA - Association of Trial Lawyers of America NARAL – National Abortion Rights Action League* NAACP – National Association of Colored People* ACLU – American Civil Liberties Union* Club for Growth US Chamber of Commerce NEA - National Education Association* The Business Roundtable Council on American-Islamic Relations AFL-CIO – American Federation of Labor – Congress of Industrial Organizations* National Resources Defense Council ABA - American Bar Association* Emily’s List NAM - National Association of Manufacturers* NOW – National Organization of Women* American Conservative Union Veterans of Foreign Wars* Environmental Defense Fund Planned Parenthood NRA – National Rifle Association ASPCA – American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals American Farm Bureau Family Research Council National Wildlife Federation PETA – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals MADD – Mothers against Drunk Driving American Association of People with Disabilities AIPAC - American Israel Public Affairs Committee GLAD - Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence - previously known as League of Women Voters Handgun Control, Inc. National Immigration Forum Public Citizen* Lulac AMA - American Medical Association*