1. Role of Lobbyists and Special Interest Groups Objective 6.06

2. Interest Groups People who share a point of view about an issue and unite to promote their beliefs

3. Lobbyist Representative of interest groups or businesses who contact lawmakers directly to influence them to support their policies

4. Think Tanks Organization of experts researching and advising on issues of society, science, technology, industry, or business

5. Types of Interest Groups

6. Economic Interest Groups Business—try to influence government decisions on issues that effect their industry –Ex: Cigarette manufacturers –Ex: Chamber of Commerce— organization of businessmen to protect and promote business interests (national, state, and local levels)

7. Labor Groups: unions promote economic interests of workers –Ex: Improve working conditions, benefits, wages Agricultural Groups: try to influence government decisions that effect farming and ranching –Ex: taxes, regulations of crops or animals

8. Professional Groups: professions such as lawyers, doctors, and accountants have their own interest groups to push for legislation regarding their issues –Ex: American Medical Association—represents doctors

9. Non-Economic Interest Groups Public Interest Groups: support causes that affect the lives of Americans in general –Ex: pollution control, consumer protection

10. Single-Issue Interest Groups: focus on only one cause to support –Ex: National Wildlife Federation, MADD Ideological Groups: support causes that effect certain ethnic groups, age groups, or gender –Ex: NAACP, NOW, AARP

11. Why is it important for us to have lobbyists and special interest groups? Why is it that some lobbyists are not liked in politics?