Interest Groups v. Party Describe the role of interest groups in influencing public Policy

Nature of Interest Groups What are your Beliefs and how does the government hear them? Pressure groups 1st Amendment Rights Numbers to Influence Public Policy

P v. I Differences Nominations- parties nominates candidates to office Primary Focus- Party wants to win election and control govt Interest groups want to influence and are worried about the what of the government Scope of Interest- Parties have to watch all interest Interest groups focus on one topic Interest Groups are private and Parties are accountable to the public

Good Interest Groups Awareness- public affairs- concern people at large Members based on attitudes rather then geography Supply usefull and specialized information Political Reopresentation Keep tabs on Politicians

Bad of Interest Groups Push interest even though America may not want them More influence with little numbers Label themselves with people that don’t really fit the bill Use Bribery, revenge, threats, and demonstrations