Interest Groups

The Role of Interest Groups Where do you stand on gun control? What about school prayer? Abortion? How would you increase your chances of influencing your position? Joining others with like views

Interest group other names – pressure groups, special interests, organized interests, and lobbies they call themselves – committees, clubs, associations, leagues

Interest Groups Goals Influence public policy-Fundamental Goal How ? Media campaigns & organizing people Support candidates – –Monetary contributions & endorsements Change laws- –Lobbying Influence government officials –Information

Why Join? Reasons Vary To be w/ like minded individuals Economic benefits Politically active

Political Action Committee(PACs) A federally registered fund-raising committee that represents an interest group in the political process through campaign donations

Super PAC Court Case - Citizens United Corporations and unions have 1 st amendment (freedom of speech) rights

“super PAC” which is officially known as an "independent expenditure-only committee“ The "superPAC" is like a traditional PAC without many of the restrictions. For instance, a "superPAC" can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money for the sole purpose of supporting or opposing political candidates.

A "superPAC" can directly attack a political candidate. The only caveat is that a "superPAC" is not allowed to coordinate directly with candidates or political parties.

How do PACs challenge traditional party politics? Made it legal for corporations & unions to form PACs and make contributions Less influence on candidates from the party Super PACs ?

Types of Interest groups Economic Interest - Primary purpose of promoting the financial interests of its members

Business & Trade Labor Professional Agriculture

Public Interest- Organization that seeks a collective good that will not selectively and materially benefit the members of the group

Groups that promote causes Groups that promote the welfare of certain groups Religious organizations

WHY INTEREST GROUPS ARE COMMON MANY CLEAVAGES CONSTITUTION –Many access points POLITICAL PARTIES ARE WEAK*

Interest Groups in Action Lobbying - attempts to assert their influence on the policy process

Supplying credible information- gov’t officials Filing amicus curiae (friend of the court) try to influence nominations litigation

Election activities –Endorsements –rating candidates or officer holders –Creating PAC’s and making contributions

Raising public support – Grassroots lobbying Employing former government officials

Table 9.4: How PACs Spent Their Money in 2000 (in millions of dollars)

Table 9.3: Spending by Political Action Committees (PACs), 2000

WHAT ARE INTEREST GROUPS? A private organization of like- minded people whose goal is to influence and shape public policy

Political Parties & Interest Groups Fundamental Goals

Political Parties Goals Winning elections – Fundamental Goal How? Nominate candidates for public office Why? Control Government

What do they have in common? Made up of people who unite for some political purpose Both are political organizations