1. Linkage Institutions Political Parties Interest Groups 1

2. Chapter 9 Interest Groups Guiding Question: To what extent do interest groups advance or harm democracy? 2

3. Standard USG.3.18 Identify the role and development of special interest groups in politics and explain their impact on the development of state and local public policy. USG.4.7 Examine the influence individuals, businesses, labor, and other organizations, interest groups, and public opinion has on United States foreign policy. USG.5.6 Explain and give examples of important citizen actions that monitor and influence local, state, and national government as individuals and members of interest groups. 3

4. Please define the following terms in your own words: Linkage Institutions Interest Groups Public Affairs Public Policy Citizens United v. FEC Lobbying Lobbyist Entrance Ticket 4

5. Interest Groups Learning Targets: 1.Be able to identify and describe the functions of interest groups. 2.Be able to recognize the roles of different interest groups (especially on your own lives). 3.Be able to describe how interest groups influence public opinion. 5

6. Relevant Vocab and Ideas Linkage Institutions Interest Groups Public Affairs Public Policy Economic Interest Groups Trade Associations Labor Unions Public Interest Groups Citizens United v. FEC Lobbying Lobbyist Amicus Curiae brief Grass Roots Revolving Door Interest groups are policy specialists. Why? 6

7. Interest Group Definition Interest Groups - Groups of people who share the same views on public matters and work to shape policy. They provide specialized and BIASED information on a specific topic/issue. The more interests there are in a nation the more interest groups are created. Interest Groups try to persuade people to respond to its members’ shared attitudes NOTE: Parties are B r o a d; Interest Groups are narrow. 7

8. Interest Groups - Historically Historically, one reason interest groups are so common in the U.S. is that they can easily gain access to government. WHY? (Superpacs = $$$$$$$$) (2:50)Superpacs = $$$$$$$$ This lets them play a huge role in shaping “Public Affairs” & “Public Policy”. Public Affairs – Issues and events that concern the people at large. Public Policy – The laws or goals that government follows of pursues. 8

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10. Interest Group – Basic Functions Positive Provide ways to participate in public life. Inform and raise interest in public matters. Focus on important member issues. Negative Push their own special interests Represent a small part of the population. Sometimes use unethical practices. 10

11. Interest Groups – Types Types: Economic Interest Groups - Lobby on behalf of consumers Trade Associations – interest groups within the business community Labor Unions – A group of workers who join together to advance their wages, benefits, and safety. Public Interest Groups – An interest group that works for the benefit of everyone. Note: One way ALL interest groups become involved in the election process is by providing campaign funds. They DO NOT nominate candidates. 11

12. This is who we are this is what we do… Information & Protection The most important and effective commodity at the command of interest groups is INFORMATION. WHY: Because legislators cannot be experts on all issues, and they rely on lobbyists for information. Legal protection for interest groups is provided by the 1 st Amendment. 12

13. Topics of Interest Groups Unlike the major political parties, interest groups are interested in the what of government rather than the who. Gun Control/2 nd Amendment Rights Climate Change Creationism vs. Evolution Health Insurance Abortion Labor Relations Citizens United v. FEC – USSC rules that Corporations have the same right of freedom and spending as citizens. Therefore they can not be limited in their ability to donate to political campaigns etc. 13

14. Particular Interest Groups NRA AFL-CIO-Labor Unions AARP ACLU Christian Coalition National Farmers Union 14

15. These are real The U.S. Association of Reptile Keepers The National Association of Ordnance/Explosive Waste The Balloon Council Sports Fan Coalition American Pyrotechnics Association The American Dehydrated Onion and Garlic Association http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2013/01/28/10-strange-lobbying-groups-that-we- swear-are-real 15

16. Propaganda – How its created Propaganda is BIASED by definition. Start with a conclusion- explain why it is right Stack the deck-only offer one side Label the other- Ultraliberal Ultraconservative Wing Nut Fascist Communist Talking points- American, sound, fair, balanced, just, common sense HOWEVER: Lobbyists are restrained from misrepresenting facts or misleading legislators by the fear of losing legislators’ trust and confidence. 16

17. Examples of Interest Group Propaganda What elements of these clips are Examples of Bias? New NRA Anti-Obama Ad (0:44) New NRA Anti-Obama Ad (0:44) Boston Teachers Union (0:32) Boston Teachers Union After A Government Health Care (0:30) After A Government Health Care America Is At Stake (1:18) America Is At Stake 17

18. Lobbying & Lobbiests Lobbying – Trying to influence members of a law making group. Lobbyist – A person who tries to influence members of a law making group. About 30,000 lobbyists Roughly 2 billion spent annually “These folks are gooooooood.” 18

19. Lobbying Congress (the legislative branch) Submit prepared statements Testify before congressional hearings-may be true, may be false, or misleading Provide information and ideas to members of Congress Campaign contributions Write speeches Draft legislation 19

20. Lobbying the Executive Branch Try to influence President’s appointments Laws written in broad terms-lobbyists try to influence Provide campaign contributions Contact a bureaucrat on how you’d like to see policy implemented 20

21. Lobbying the Courts (the Judicial Branch) Brown v. Topeka Board of Education NAACP (interest group) ACLU takes on unpopular causes-represents fringe groups Gone Too Far: Our Kids in Handcuffs (3:13) Gone Too Far: Our Kids in Handcuffs Why the respect of teachers is worth cultivating… Amicus curiae brief- written arguments presented to a court in support of one side in a dispute 21

22. Indirect Lobbying Nationally: AARP-something affects retirees, you are sure to hear about it Grass roots- Average Voters applying pressure “at large”  low level Vote or Die (7:28) Vote or Die HIP HOP P. Diddy's "Vote or Die 22

23. The Revolving Door The term revolving door refers to departing a government official joining a lobbying firm with which they had been doing business. 23

24. ACTIVITY DESIGNING A SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP 1.Working with a partner please begin working on the special interest group activity. 2.Work creatively and neatly. 3.This will be collected, reviewed, returned, and presented on the day of the test. 24

25. Linkage Institutions - Overview and Homework Cram for the exam (4:00) – Political Parties Cram for the exam Cram for the Exam (4:00) – Interest Groups Cram for the Exam (4:00) Please study for the test of 9 (Interest Groups) and 5 (Political Parties) 25