1. Chapter 11: Interest Groups
By Evelyne Velez & Gisselle Robles

2. Do Now The number of interest groups has grown rapidly since the 1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
2. People who join interest groups for a sense of pleasure, status, or companionship are joining because of
Solidary Incentives
Material Incentives
Purposive Incentives
Concurrent Incentives
3. Of the following environmental groups, this one tends to be the most liberal
Sierra Club
Wilderness Society
National Wildlife Federation
Teddy Conversation
Environmental Defense Fund and Environmental Action

3. Do Now The number of interest groups has grown rapidly since the 1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
2. People who join interest groups for a sense of pleasure, status, or companionship are joining because of
Solidary Incentives
Material Incentives
Purposive Incentives
Concurrent Incentives
3. Of the following environmental groups, this one tends to be the most liberal
Sierra Club
Wilderness Society
National Wildlife Federation
Teddy Conversation
Environmental Defense Fund and Environmental Action (supporting republicans)

4. Birth of Interest Groups
In the 1770’s, political groups arose for the fight for American independence. During the 1830’s and 1840’s, the number of religious associations increased sharply and the anti-slavery movement began. The number of interest groups have been growing rapidly since the 1960’s and 1970’s because about 70 percent of them formed their washington offices. Four factors help explain the rise of interest groups:
Emergence of talented leadership
Government policy
Broad economic developments
Increased governmental activities

5. The more cleavages there are in a society, the greater the variety of interests that will exist.
The American constitutional system contributes to the number of interest groups by gaining access to the government
The weakness of political parties
Proliferation
What are the three main reasons as to why interest groups are so common in our country?

6. Kinds of Organizations
Institutional Interests - are individuals or organizations representing other organizations.
Membership Interests - made up of those who join voluntarily.
Single Issue Interest Groups - interest groups that are extremely narrow and intense in focus on a particular issue.
Labor Interest Groups - are a type of economic interest group.
Economic Interest Groups - advocate for the economic benefit
of their members and constituents.
Ideological Interest Groups - Political organizations that attract members by appealing to their political principles.

7. Interest Groups in Action
Solidary incentives - The social rewards (sense of pleasure, status, or companionship) that lead people to join political organizations.
Examples: Parent Teacher Association & the League of Women Voters
Material incentives - The social rewards (sense of pleasure, status, or companionship) that lead people to join political organizations.
Examples: The Illinois Farm Bureau & American Association of Retired Persons
Purposive incentives - A benefit that comes from serving a cause or principle.
Examples: Ideological interest groups, & Public- Interest Lobby

8. Influence of Staff Social Movements
Issues may not affect members because…
*Reality is; even if members joined to obtain solidarity and/or material incentives, they may not have an interest in any of the issues with which the organization gets involved.
Bottom line: Interest groups may reflect more what the staff wants then what the members actually believe.
*A widely shared demand for change
Feminist Movement (1960s)- The national women’s suffrage association helped achieve rights for women. **Important to note: was not inclusive of minorities.
Environmental Movement (1960s)- Silent Spring written by Rachel Carson speaks about the overuse of pesticides
The Union Movement - began in the 19th century. History of Unions have exploded with the funding of the national labor union.

9. Activities of Interest Groups
Lobbying and providing information
Political Cues -> A signal telling a legislator what values are at stake in a vote
Ratings -> Assessments of a representative's coting record
Public Support: The Rise of the New Politics
Outsider strategy -> Aimed at changing public opinion strategy
Grassroots Lobbying -> The act of asking the general public to contact legislators and government officials concerning the issue at hand
Money & PACs (Efforts to reform campaign)
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission -> Laws preventing corporations and unions from using general treasury funds for independent uses.
The ”Revolving Door” - Can lead to corruption, special connections, corporate favors in return for jobs.
*Ex: Obama won from building the biggest grassroots campaign!
By making citizens wanting to volunteer and wanting to support the president. Meeting people where they are!

10. Regulating Interest Groups
Funding
Regulating Interest Groups
Foundation Grants - Donations that come from foundations like the Ford Foundation or the Rockefeller Family Fund.
Federal Grants & Contracts - Are usually given to support some project that the organization has undertaken.
Direct Mail- solicit funds and donations from individuals.
A classic example of an interest group that was created and maintained by direct -mail solicitation is common cause.
Problems of Bias
Wealthy are more likely to join groups and be active in them
Groups representing business/professions are numerous and well - financed
Lobbying cannot be made against the law, but in 1944, there was an ineffective law passed that required lobbyists to register.
Federal Regulation of Lobby Act of had little practical effect being that not all lobbyist took the trouble to register and there was no guarantee that the financial statements were accurate. In other words, there was no staff in charge of enforcing the law itself.

11. References
"Chapter 09 - Interest Groups | CourseNotes." Chapter 09 - Interest Groups | CourseNotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Jan
Angeles, University Of California Los, and Pepperdine University. (n.d.): n. pag. Web.