Interest Groups Private organizations (not govt owned) - try to persuade the public & officials to respond to their shared interests Create effect of getting citizenry & Govt to respond Falls under 1 st Amendment concepts of: Freedom of Assembly, Petition, Association aka: Pressure Groups & Special Interests Variety of labels: Leagues, Clubs, Federations, Unions, Committees, Associations Interest in influencing establishment /application of Public Policy

Goal = improvement of human affairs Safety: seat belts, speed limits, flood control, work conditions Organization: Zoning, Access: Pensions, Medicare/Medicade, Goal = shaping public policy at every level Washington DC Regions (NE, Atlantic seaboard, South, Midwest, Southwest, West Coast) States Localities (Municipalities, Cities, Counties, Townships)

Differences from Political Parties I.G. do not nominate people for public office – instead, they are interested in supporting those candidates that are “like-minded” to them on a specific issue … no matter their political party affiliation Primary focus is not on who wins elections – but to be supportive of the candidate that does win the election I. G. are not interested in whole range of political issues / policies – just their own … thus, they do not have to compromise on their beliefs I. G. leadership is NOT voted on

Interest Groups Private organizations (not govt owned) Goal is to persuade the public & officials Get them to respond to their shared interests Use of Propaganda and Lobbyists

Valuable functions of Interest Groups Raise awareness of potential problems/situations (Public Affairs) - may be remedied with Public Policy Interstate or Nationalist response to issues Provide specialized, detailed information to public & to govt - research, petitions, surveys, etc… Vehicles for political participation (rallies, petitions, etc…) Pooling of resources that can be focused on specified issue Checks & Balances - making sure officials doing, not just saying!

One way of getting people to take action

Another way of getting people to take action

Economic IGOs This group is protesting USA’s attempt to add a Free-trade agreement with Korea

Criticisms of Interest Groups Influence over & above voters (often issues are not elected) - does this run counter to idea of Majority Rules/Minority Rights? Typically, the highly-organized & well-funded groups - have the most influence over government officials How “transparent” are these organizations? … who exactly are they representing & how much $ is being pushed in campaigns? Questionable tactics: - Propaganda … is media influence (advertising) over done? - Lobbyists … are these ex-govt officials or are these “experts”? - PAC $ … is it being used to “buy” representation/voice in govt?

Economic based Interest Groups Business – Attempt to persuade government to produce legislation that stimulate business activity or protect business interests… tariffs (taxes on imported products) Examples = Nat Assoc of Manufacturers; Business Roundtable; Chamber of Commerce

Economic based Interest Groups Trade Associations – Attempt to persuade government to adopt federal funding programs to improve infrastructure (roadways, railways, bridges, ports, etc…) Examples = American Trucking Assoc; Assoc of American Railroads; American Bankers Assoc; National Restaurant Assoc

Labor Groups Organizations of workers who share the same type of job – press for government policies that benefit workers (wages, safety standards, benefits, retirement packages, etc…) Examples = AFL-CIO, Teamsters, Fraternal Order of Police, United Auto Workers (UAW), United Mine Workers (UMW)

Agricultural Groups Associations that work to influence the government to develop policies (subsidies, trade pacts, programs, etc…) that assist farmers to more effectively produce their commodities Examples = National Grange, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Farmers Union, National Cattlemen’s Beef Assoc, California & Florida Citrus Growers

Professional Groups Represent occupations that require specialized training, such as medicine, law, and teaching. Provide govt with information & research that will improve conditions & safety Examples = American Medical Assoc (AMA); American Bar Assoc; National Education Assoc; American Society of Civil Engineers