1. Media & Interest Groups MIG
What are Interest Groups?

2. IG’s vs. Parties Interest Groups (aka Special Interests)
Private org designed to influence public policy (laws)
NOT political parties:
Do not nominate candidates for office (but may support them)
Influence gov from the outside, not from within
Represent a small # of issues
IG often require dues / formal admission

3. Why do people join IG’s? Solidarity Incentive: Material Incentive:
Purposive Incentive
Free Rider Problem

4. Types of IG’s Economic Groups – majority
Businesses: represent the owners
Chamber of Commerce
Labor: represent the workers
AFL-CIO – largest worker union
Professional: represent pro. Groups
American Medical Association
NEA

5. Economic Groups Agricultural: represent farmers The National Grange
Corporations: large businesses
General Motors

6. Public Interest Groups Causes ACLU NRA Sierra Club Groups VFW NOW
Sierra Club
Groups
VFW
NOW

7. Common Cause / Collective Good League of Women Voters
C. Religion
Christian Coalition
Common Cause / Collective Good
League of Women Voters
Single Issue – groups are growing in number
NARAL
Natl Right to Life

8. EX: Governors are begging fed gov to give them stimulus $$
3. Government
Mayors, Governors
EX: Governors are begging fed gov to give them stimulus $$

9. With so many groups competing for power, does any one group have a large influence on gov?
Pluralism

10. IG Homework: pick 3 IGs Name of IG and overall purpose.
What are 3 things you see on their homepage?
What do you have to do to join? Do you get anything for joining?
Is the incentive solidarity, material, or purposive? Explain.
Find one issue that the group is focusing on. What’s the issue and how are they trying to get it changed or resolved? How do they try to get you involved?
Would join one of these groups? Explain.

11. Other Groups MADD AARP NEA Rutherford Institute Am Bar Assoc
Chamber of Commerce
NCLR