1. Journal: Discuss with a partner What type of “groups” do you belong to? – Think…clubs, sports, band, charity organizations, etc… Why did you join these groups?

2. Why do people join groups?

3. Create a definition of an interest group. What is it? What do you think its goals are? What could be some positive aspects and negative aspects of interest groups?

4. What we call an interest group, the Founding Fathers called a faction.

5. Madison’s Constitution also envisions a plurality of groups competing with each other (pluralism).

6. Interest groups sometimes begin as movements.

7. What kinds of groups are there?

8. Economic interest groups Business Trade and Other Associations Professional Associations

9. Labor Unions are one of the most important groups representing workers. Workers cannot be required to join the union as a condition of employment Open Shop Workers may be required to join a union to be hired at a particular company if most employees at that company vote to unionize Closed Shop An individual who does not join an interest group representing his or her interests yet receives the benefits Free Rider

10. Ideological interest groups focus on multiple issues.

11. Single Issue Interest groups are highly motivated and see politics primarily as a means to pursue one issue.

12. Public Interest Groups

13. Public Sector Interest Groups

14. Interest Groups also organize to promote or oppose foreign policies.

15. Let’s Review… 1.What are interest groups? 1.A. What are the 6 types of interest groups? B. What is the purpose/function of each type of group?

16. Political Scientists have described how groups form and organize to pursue their goals as the pursuit of collective action (also public choice).

17. Important Characteristics of Interest Groups Size and Resources Cohesiveness Leadership

18. What is the goal of interest groups?

19. Lobbyists are the employees of associations who try to influence policy decisions and positions in the government.

20. Moving from a government job to one with an interest group is so common it is called the revolving door.

21. The revolving door between government and interest groups produces networks of people who care about certain issues (issue networks)

22. Litigation occurs when groups find the political channels closed to them. Then, groups may turn to the courts.

23. Besides litigation, associations can also express their views to the court by filing amicus curiae briefs.

24. Interest groups also influence politics and public policy by spending money on elections.

25. A Political Action Committee (PAC) is the political arm of an interest group.

26. Officeholders can also form their own PACs; these are called Leadership PACs.

27. PACs sometimes use a process called bundling to help boost their contribution amount.

28. Until the 2004 election cycle, interest groups and individuals could avoid the contribution limitation to political parties by contributing soft-money.

29. Let’s Review… 1. What do lobbyists do? Explain their role in the political process? 2. What is the “revolving door”? 3. What is litigation? How does it effect politics? 4. How do PACs effect politics?

30. Homework Questions 1.Lobbyists are often called the “Third House of Congress.” Why do you think they are called this? Do you agree or disagree with this label? Explain. 2.What do you think is the most important technique interest groups use to influence politicians? Explain. 3.What is an independent expenditure? What are the positives of an IE? Negatives?

31. It’s all about timing... PACs Lobbying POLITICANS & ELECTED OFFICIALS ELECTIONS POLICY

32. The cycle of influence... DonationsPACsElectionsLobbyingLawsLitigation

33. Let’s take a quiz.

34. In 1971, Congress passed the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA). Sets limits on campaign and political contributions on individuals Required disclosure of campaign fund sources and how they are spent PACs must register with the government

35. The cases behind campaign finance

36. After Buckley, soft money became more important to campaign finance than the limited and more difficult to raise hard money.

37. Banning soft money because the primary objective of reformers and led to the passage of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) in 2002.

38. But wait, there’s more...

39. Vehicles Used by Special Interest Groups (SIGs) to Influence

40. “Following the Money” Handout and Chart

41. The Game Changer

42. A better tomorrow, tomorrow...

43. What’s the difference between... PACs and SuperPACs Hard Money and Soft Money The FEC and The IRS (in relation to campaign finance) 501 groups and 527 groups 500 groups and PACs/SuperPACs

44. Setting some limits? When are contributions limited? When are contributions unlimited? Think: When (time periods) To Whom (Candidate? Group? Party?) From Whom (Individuals, Corporations, Groups, Unions, Parties) How much (unlimited $ vs. limited $)