Special Interest Groups

What is an Interest Group? Interest Group- organization of people with a common interest that try to influence government policies and decisions Farmers, NRA, teachers unions, businesses, NAACP, NOW Also known as a pressure group, or lobby A person who is paid by an interest group, or lobby, is called a lobbyist More concerned with influencing policies that affect their business or industries than getting candidates elected

What is an Interest Group? Public Interest Group- promote the interests of the general public rather than one group Consumer protection, wildlife, the environment Most all interest groups use the same techniques Encourage members to write the president or members of Congress Hire lobbyists to represent their interests Lobbyists are either former members of Congress or public agencies, or lawyers, public relations experts, or journalists

Influencing Government Most all laws represent a struggle among interest groups Lobbyists present their arguments to Congress in hopes Congress will vote one way or the other on a particular issue Lobbyists use a number of methods to get their arguments across: Argue in support of bills they favor, argue against bills they oppose Supply information to Congress about a bill and may even help write a bill Stay in contact with members of Congress about what their interest group wants Testify at committee hearings

Influencing Government Congress is faced with thousands of bills a year Lobbyists help keep them informed on all these issues Interest groups also try to influence the public Advertisements in print and TV Help promote political candidates that agree with their positions

Regulating Interest Groups Federal and state governments require lobbyists to register Who they are working for and how much money they are spending on their efforts Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 Critics argue lobbyists have too much power in the lawmaking process 

Regulating Interest Groups Critics argue politicians try to appease lobbyists too much Interest groups that are not as well organized or funded don’t receive the same amount of attention from politicians Regardless, interest groups represent political freedom Every person has a right to make their opinion known to the government

? What is the definition of an interest group? What is the definition of a lobbyist? What are public interest groups? What is an example of a method interest groups use to influence politicians? What are some criticisms of interest groups?