1. SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS
I. Functions
Influence policy
Gain political advantage
Represent factions
Inform government (feedback)
Political Parties
Interest Groups
Nominate candidates for elected office
Support candidates but do not run for office
Appeal to a broad range of issues to appeal to a wide range of people
Take a narrow focus on specific issues like gun control
Compete for leg. Branch and try to get maximum seta in Congress
Compete for influence over elected officials who will decide public policy issues in favor of the interest group

2. Interest Groups II. Justification
First Amendment (freedom to petition)
III. Types
A. Location
private
public
Profess interest of public rather than their own

3. B. Categories
1. Economic
labor
unions
NLRB
Labor Department
business
Assoc. of Manuf.
Chamber of Com.

4. Agriculture
Dept. of Ag.
Grange
Dairy Farmers
2. Professional
AMA
ABA
Dept. of Licensing

5. 3. Social – Political
NAACP
League of Women Voters
Dept. of Veterans
Affairs

6. IV. Features of Interest Groups
Positive
Negative
Provide ways to participate in public life
Inform and raise interest in public matters
Promote interests important to group members
Focus on special (narrow) interest
Groups
Often represents small segments of population
Occasionally use unethical tactics

7. Union officers; top dept. officials B. “Rank and File” C. Lobbyists
V. Structure
A. Leaders
Union officers; top dept. officials
B. “Rank and File”
Group of professionals associated with the folks called:
C. Lobbyists
Hired professionals who communicate with government and other groups
D. Power Sources
membership
unity $
coalitions
*ACCESSABILITY to POWER

8. V. Methods of Pressure
A. Indirect (mask effort)
B. Direct
1. Lobbying
Process by which organized interests attempt to affect decisions and actions of public officials
* Lobbyists try to persuade public officials to do things that interest groups want them to do
2. Electioneering
Interest groups help public officials get elected to office

9. VI. Regulation of Lobbying
A no corporate $
B no bribing Congress
C lobbying not deductible
D “Corrupt Practices Act”
lobbyists report expenses
E Fed. Reg. of Lobbying Act
register
name employer
report income/expenses