1. Ch. 9 - Interest Groups

2. What are Interest Groups?
Interest Groups – organizations of people with a common political cause that they advance through fundraising, lobbying, raising public awareness, and litigation
Lobbying – meeting with legislators and government officials to persuade them to support interest group causes
Litigation – filing lawsuits in courts to get decisions favorable to group causes

3. Why do we have Interest Groups?
Individuals can exert more political power and influence when organized as a group
Creates a connection between the government and the people who will be affected by policy changes
Politicians want to be endorsed by groups that can help them win votes and campaign donations

4. Activities of Interest Groups
Advertise to promote their causes
Organize protests
Political Action Committees (PACs) – raise money to donate to political candidates who are “on their side” of an issue
Hire lobbyists to work with a legislature
“Grass roots” mobilization – get constituents to call their congressman and demand action on an issue
Publish ratings of legislators to show how friendly or unfriendly they are to group causes