1. Interest Groups
Chapter 18

2. Defining Interest Groups
Purpose: Communicate “wants” to government leaders – influence public policy
Share common goals and organize to influence government
Address specific problems or issues in society
Unite like-minded people from all over the country
Derive strength in numbers
Government will respond better to large groups than individuals
They have access to more money
Organization

3. Why Join? Who Joins? Economic interests
Individual beliefs, values, or attitudes (political ideology)
Non-political (social)
Upper income levels
Who is looking out for the rest of us?
Who Joins?

4. Types of Interest Groups
Business and Labor
(AFL-CIO, National Association of Manufacturers, United Mine Workers)
Agricultural Groups
(NFU – National Farmers’ Union)
Others
Professional (ABA), Environmental (Sierra Club, Greenpeace), Public Interest (Common Cause), Government

5. How does an Interest Group influence Policy?
Generating Public Pressure – trying to influence the government by using public opinion on an issue
Hiring professional Lobbyists
Using Constituents as Lobbyists (letter-writing campaigns)
Media Campaign
Building Alliances – forming partnerships with groups who share a policy goal

6. Limitations of Interest Groups
Different groups have different, sometimes conflicting goals
Larger Interest Groups have more diverse interests
Smaller Interest Groups have more narrow goals
Laws to avoid corruption

7. Interest Groups: The Positive
Individual citizens can influence government beyond just voting
Increase the interest and participation of voters
Gives minority groups access to all branches of the government
Continued expansion of interest groups is expected

8. Interest Groups: The Negative
Power of interest groups greater than ever before
Raise and spend large sums of money to support candidates and parties,
This support buys access and the internet is a great tool for rallying the troops
Also provide endorsements to candidates during campaigns: ____________________
Open Secrets

9. Major Special Interest Groups
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organization
American Medical Association
National Education Association

10. Influencing Public Policy: Lobbyists
What is lobbying?
Direct contact with lawmakers or government leaders
What is a lobbyist?
Representative of an interest group
Therefore serves as direct influence by an Interest Group

11. Who is a Lobbyist? Individual paid by an interest group
By law, must register with Congress
By law, must file reports to disclose activities
By law, must estimate salary from the group they represent
Revolving Door: Many lobbyists are former government officials

12. What Does a Lobbyist Do? Meets with Congressmen and women
Provide reports, statistics, and other relevant information
Testify before congressional committees during hearings or investigations
Help members of Congress draft bills

13. AARP – American Association of Retired People*
Moveon.org
Sierra Club
Christian Coalition*
ATLA - Association of Trial Lawyers of America
NARAL – National Abortion Rights Action League*
NAACP – National Association of Colored People*
ACLU – American Civil Liberties Union*
Club for Growth
US Chamber of Commerce
NEA - National Education Association*
The Business Roundtable
Council on American-Islamic Relations
AFL-CIO – American Federation of Labor – Congress of Industrial Organizations*
National Resources Defense Council
ABA - American Bar Association*
Emily’s List
NAM - National Association of Manufacturers*
NOW – National Organization of Women*
American Conservative Union
Veterans of Foreign Wars*
Environmental Defense Fund
Planned Parenthood
NRA – National Rifle Association
ASPCA – American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
American Farm Bureau
Family Research Council
National Wildlife Federation
PETA – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
MADD – Mothers against Drunk Driving American Association of People with Disabilities
AIPAC - American Israel Public Affairs Committee
GLAD - Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders
Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence - previously known as
League of Women Voters
Handgun Control, Inc.
National Immigration Forum
Public Citizen*
Lulac
AMA - American Medical Association*