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Power of Interest Groups An interest group is a group of people who share common goals and organize to influence government. Interest groups differ from political parties in several ways: Interest groups may support candidates for office who favor their ideas, but they do not nominate candidates for office. Interest groups usually are concerned with only a few issues or specific problems. Section 1

Power of Interest Groups (cont.) Most interest groups are organized on the basis of common values, rather than on geographical location. Interest groups help bridge the gap between the citizen and the government. By representing more than one individual, an interest group has a strong bargaining position with leaders in government. Section 1

Power of Interest Groups (cont.) On the state and national levels, an interest group draws from the financial resources and expertise of its many members. Section 1

Leadership and Membership Interest group leaders strengthen the political power of the group by unifying its members. Since political decisions are made primarily through competing interest groups, people who do not belong to an interest group are at a disadvantage. Section 1

Business and Labor Groups Business-related interest groups are among the oldest and largest in the nation. The National Association of Manufacturers works to lower individual and corporate taxes and to limit government regulation of business. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce speaks on behalf of smaller businesses. Section 1

Business and Labor Groups (cont.) The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) is the largest and most powerful labor organization today. Among the unions in the AFL-CIO are: the United Auto Workers; United Mine Workers; and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Section 1

Agricultural Groups Three major interest groups represent almost 6 million American farmers: the American Farm Bureau Federation speaks for the larger, more successful farmers; the National Farmers’ Union draws its membership from smaller farmers; and the Patrons of Husbandry, known as the Grange, is the oldest farm group. Section 1

Other Interest Groups Professional interest groups include the American Bar Association and the American Medical Association. Environmental interest groups include the Sierra Club, the National Wildlife Federation, and the Environmental Defense Fund. Public interest groups are not dedicated to representing a single interest group but claim to represent policy positions that will be in the best interest of all. Section 1

Other Interest Groups (cont.) Some interest groups, like the National Conference of State Legislators and the National Governors’ Association, are made up of government employees. Foreign governments and private interests of foreign nations also seek to influence government in the United States. They might seek military aid, economic aid, or favorable trade agreements. Section 1

The Work of Lobbyists Lobbying is the process by which interest groups try to influence government policy by making direct contact with lawmakers or other government leaders. The representatives of interest groups who do this kind of work are called lobbyists. Section 2

The Work of Lobbyists (cont.) In 1995 Congress redefined lobbyists to mean anyone who: is employed or retained by a client; makes more than one contact for the client; and spends more than 20 percent of his or her time serving the client. Section 2

The Work of Lobbyists (cont.) One of the most important ways that lobbyists make their case is by providing a member of Congress with facts and data about the policy they want. Many lobbyists and interest groups might have a hand in writing and drafting bills. Section 2

Interest Groups Seek Support A wide range of techniques is available to interest groups in their effort to influence policy makers. Interest groups use the mass media to inform the public and to create support for their views. Many interest groups urge their members to write letters or e-mails to government officials to demonstrate broad support. Section 2

Interest Groups Seek Support (cont.) Different interest groups compete for power and influence, keeping any single group from controlling lawmakers and other public officials. Section 2

The Rise of Political Action Committees Political action committees (PACs) are specifically designed to collect money and provide financial support for a political candidate. While federal law prevents corporations and labor unions from making direct contributions to any federal candidate, the law permits their political action committees to do so. PAC Contributions Section 2

The Rise of Political Action Committees (cont.) The Federal Election Commission issues regulations and advisory opinions that control PAC activities. PAC Contributions Section 2

PACs and the Groups They Serve (cont.) 527 organizations—named for part of the tax code—emerged in the 2004 election. 527 organizations do not directly urge citizens to vote for a specific candidate, but instead focus on advocating an issue. Section 2

Strategies for Influence PACs use their money to gain access to lawmakers and to influence election outcomes directly. Interest groups, especially PACs, raise much of the money used in political campaigns. PACs generally support incumbents, or government officials already in office. Section 2

The Nature of Public Opinion Public opinion includes the ideas and attitudes that a significant number of Americans hold about government and political issues. Three factors characterize the nature of public opinion: diversity—variance in public opinion; communication—how people’s ideas and attitudes are expressed to government; and Section 3

The Nature of Public Opinion (cont.) “significant numbers”—enough people must hold a particular opinion to make government officials listen to them. Section 3

Political Socialization Individuals learn their political beliefs and attitudes through the process of political socialization which is determined by: family and home influence; schools and peer groups—an individual’s close friends, religious group, clubs, and work groups; social characteristics; and the mass media—the internet, newspapers, magazines, movies, radio, and books. Section 3

Political Culture A political culture is a set of basic values and beliefs about a nation and its government that most citizens share. It sets the general boundaries within which citizens develop and express their opinions. A nation’s political culture also influences how its citizens interpret what they see and hear every day. Section 3

Ideology and Public Policy One’s political ideology is a set of basic beliefs about life, culture, government, and society. It provides the framework for looking at government and public policy. Section 3

Ideology and Public Policy (cont.) In the U.S., the main ideologies are: liberals, who believe the government should actively promote health, education, and justice; conservatives, who believe in limiting the government’s role in the economy and in solving social problems; and moderates, who fall somewhere between liberals and conservatives. Conservative and Liberal Differences Section 3

In the United States, the three main political ideologies include conservatives, liberals, and A. republicans. B. democrats. C. moderates. D. federalists. A B C D Section 3 – DQ4

Nonscientific Methods Elected officials use a number of sources to stay abreast of public opinion, including: political parties and interest groups; mass media; letters and e-mails or faxes; straw polls—which offer only a biased sample of the population; and political Web sites and blogs. Section 4

Scientific Polling Scientific polling involves three basic steps: selecting a sample of the group to be questioned; presenting carefully worded questions to the individuals in the sample; and interpreting the results. Presidential Approval Ratings Since 1940 Section 4

Scientific Polling (cont.) The group of people that is to be studied in a poll is called the universe. Since it is not practical to interview everyone in a universe, pollsters question a representative sample. Presidential Approval Ratings Since 1940 Section 4

Scientific Polling (cont.) Random sampling is the technique in which everyone in that universe has an equal chance of being selected. A sampling error is a measurement of how much the sample results might differ from the sample universe. Sampling error decreases as the sample size becomes larger. Presidential Approval Ratings Since 1940 Section 4

Scientific Polling (cont.) One way to draw a random sample is by using a cluster sample which organizes, or clusters, people by geographical divisions. The way a poll question is phrased can greatly influence people’s responses and, in turn, poll results. Presidential Approval Ratings Since 1940 Section 4

Public Opinion and Democracy The Framers sought to create a representative democracy that would meet two goals: to provide for popular rule—to give the people an active voice in government; and to insulate government from the shifting whims of an ill-informed public. Section 4

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ANSWERS 1. No; many of these groups focus on a narrow range of interests or even have conflicting interests.   2. Probably not since the AAA focuses on providing services to its members.   3. No, because NAM members would probably support the goals of management not labor. DFS Trans 1

ANSWERS 1. the PAC contributions bar graph at left because it shows what a high percentage of campaign spending comes from PACs   2. They increased slightly.   3. Yes. DFS Trans 2

ANSWERS 1. Answers will vary but may include family and home influences, school, mass media, religion, and friends.   2. No; students’ answers should recognize that people and conditions differ widely.   3. Possible answers include race, social and economic status, or region of the country. DFS Trans 3

ANSWERS 1. Small businesses received one of the highest confidence level rankings; major corporations ranked much lower.   2. about the same   3. local government, the highest; federal government was ranked toward the bottom of the list DFS Trans 4

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