1. Interest Groups Types of Interest Groups

2. Interest Groups A-Z There are thousands of interest groups in the U.S. at all levels of society. Size = some have millions others only a handful Majority of IG are based on promoting or protecting economic interest. Some people may belong to one and not even know it.

3. Business Groups Business IG ask government to enact policies that promote and protect their economic interest. Trade Associations represent segments of the business community: – Oil – Gas – Pharmaceuticals

4. Labor Unions Labor Unions push for government policies that benefit their members. – AFL-CIO is largest labor union; 56 unions with 10 million members Decline of American mfg. has weakened labor unions. – Membership has dropped so looking to government workers and service workers to unionize Organized labor is often united but can be divided by regional and economic differences

5. Changing State of Labor Union membership has declined as the economy shifted from manufacturing to service industries. Voice of unions remains strong politically in education, training, and library occupations. Unions have become increasingly diverse demographically.

6. Agricultural Groups Agricultural groups still have great influence on government farm policy. The Farm Bureau and National Farmers Union are major groups. Organized around different commodities – Beef – Milk – Eggs – Wheat

7. Professional Associations Professional Associations represent highly trained/licensed professionals Examples – doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, etc. Not all members of a profession belong to the IGs

8. Disagreements Some industry IG compete for customers in the same market. Agricultural producers in different states compete for market share through IG

9. Disagreements Economic IGs of all types compete for federal aid or tax breaks. Government regulation may help members of one business group compete while hurting members of other groups.

10. Issue-Oriented Groups Issue IG promote a cause or and idea rather than economics. There are many groups working for and against causes across the political spectrum. – Supporting & opposing Abortion Gun control Conservation issues

11. Think Tanks Research institutes that promote their policy goals in the media Conservative – Cato Institute – Heritage Foundation Centrist – American Enterprise Institute – Brookings Institute

12. Other Interest Groups IG for specific segments of society: – Veterans Groups American Legion Veterans of Foreign Wars – Ethnic NAACP Mexican Legal Defense Fund – Religious Groups that seek to shape government policy

13. International Interest Amnesty International International Red Cross Human Rights Watch Groups around current issues: – Save Darfur Coalition – Syria – Israel Urge United States and United Nations to take action to help.

14. What are the different types of interest groups at work in American society ? Economic IG – business, labor unions, agriculture & professional organizations Other IG represent specific issues or segments of society Public IG have the broadest focus, pursuing general public issues