Chapter 9 Mr. LeHew US Government Interest Groups Chapter 9 Mr. LeHew US Government

aka Pressure Groups, Special Interest Groups Private organizations that try to persuade public officials to respond to the attitudes of their members One of the most effective means Americans have to get the government to respond to their wants/needs

Parties vs. Interest Groups Parties nominate interest groups do not Parties interested in winning elections while interest groups interested in shaping policy. Parties interested in a variety of concerns while interest groups are more narrowly focused Interest groups not accountable to the public at large

Represent members who share the same ideas/beliefs Functions Increase interest in and discussion of public affairs by developing and pushing public policy Represent members who share the same ideas/beliefs Provide government with specialized information used to formulate policy

Means by which citizens can pool resources and act collectively Functions Means by which citizens can pool resources and act collectively Another check on the government--keep close tabs on what the government is doing Interest groups compete with each other, placing limits on the lengths each can go

Hard to tell who/how many are represented Criticisms Too much influence Hard to tell who/how many are represented Don’t always represent the people they say they do Use unethical practices

Types of Interest Groups Business groups National Association of Manufacturers (1895) Chamber of Commerce of the US (1912) Promote business interests Labor Groups AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor/Congress of Industrial Organizations) Organization of workers who want policies to benefit workers

Types of Interest Groups Agricultural groups American Farm Bureau (1919) Want policies to benefit farmers and agribusiness Professional groups AMA, ABA, NEA Occupations that require specialized training

Types of Interest Groups Groups that promote causes/ideas ACLU (1920)--fights to protect civil rights League of Women Voters Groups that promote the welfare of other groups American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, NAACP Work to advance interest of these groups

Types of Interest Groups Church related groups National Council of Churches (Protestant Group) Groups working for the public good aka Public Interest Groups Common Cause--represents Americans as consumers League of Women Voters

Influencing Public Opinion Interest groups provide public with information Interest groups build a positive image for a group Interest groups promote a specific public policy

Lobbying All the means by which pressure is brought to bear on legislators and the legislative process Lobbyist -- people who try to persuade officials to do the things the interest group wants them to do

Meeting with representative Use of grass roots pressure Lobbying Many Include Meeting with representative Use of grass roots pressure Providing information to Congress Testifying before Congress Drafting bills Providing election support Publishing ratings/rankings on members of Congress

Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 4. Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act 1946 all lobbyists must register with the Clerk of the House and Secretary of the Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 Must identify their employer, report salary/expenses, and file quarterly reports

Propaganda Techniques Defined as technique of persuasion aimed at influencing individuals or groups Name Calling Liberal, Communist Card Stacking Present all of the good and none of the bad

Propaganda Techniques Testimonials Use prominent person to endorse Bandwagon Everyone else is doing it Plain folks Just like you