Chapter 11 Day 1- Interest Groups- Aim: How do Interest Groups shape American politics? Do Now- PAIR/SHARE 1) How are interest groups portrayed in the cartoon? 2) Does the cartoonist favor them?

Defining Interest Groups An organization of people with shared policy goals entering the policy process at several points to try to achieve those goals. Interest groups pursue their goals in many arenas. Political Parties fight election battles, Interest Groups don’t - but they may choose sides. Interest Groups are policy specialists, Political Parties are policy generalists. Difference?

Theories of Interest Group Politics Pluralist Theory Elite Theory Hyperpluralist Theory

Theories of Interest Group Politics - Pluralism Definition: Politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies. Many centers of power and many diverse, competing groups. No group wins or loses all the time. WHY NOT? Groups provide the key link between the people and the government. Pos or Neg?

Theories of Interest Group Politics - Pluralism Continued Groups provide a key link between people and government. Groups compete. No one group is likely to become too dominant. Groups usually play by the “rules of the game.” Groups weak in one resource can use another.

Theories of Interest Group Politics - Elitism Definition: Societies are divided along class lines and an upper-class elite rules, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization. Numerous groups mean nothing, power is not equally divided among them - some have much more. The largest corporations hold the most power.

Theories of Interest Group Politics - Elitism Continued Elite power is strengthened by a system of interlocking directorates of these corporations and other institutions. Corporate elites are willing to lose the minor policy battles, but work to win the major policy issues in their favor. Lobbying is a problem because it benefits the few at the expense of the many.

Theories of Interest Group[ Politics - Elitism Perceptions of the Dominance of Big Interests