Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.1 Summary The Role of Interest Groups Interest groups consist of groups that participate in the political process in order to promote the policy goals which members share. They usually focus their efforts on one specific issue area, unlike political parties, which have to address all issues on the public agenda. To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Interest groups are often policy. A.specialists B.generalists C.regulators D.implementors LO 11.1 To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Interest groups are often policy. A.specialists B.generalists C.regulators D.implementors To Learning Objectives LO 11.1

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.2 Summary Theories of Interest Group Politics The theory of pluralism asserts that the policymaking process is very open to the participation of all interest groups, with no single group usually dominating. Pluralists tend to believe that as a result the public interest generally prevails. To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.2 Summary Theories of Interest Group Politics (cont.) Elitism contends that an upper-class elite holds the power and makes policy, regardless of the formal governmental organization. Hyperpluralism – So many groups are so strong, that government is weakened and its ability to make effective policy is crippled. To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Which of the following is NOT an element of the pluralist group theory of politics? A.Groups provide a crucial link between people and government. B.Groups usually follow the rules of the game. C.Groups compete with each other. D.Groups become too dominant. LO 11.2 To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Which of the following is NOT an element of the pluralist group theory of politics? A.Groups provide a crucial link between people and government. B.Groups usually follow the rules of the game. C.Groups compete with each other. D.Groups become too dominant. To Learning Objectives LO 11.2

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.3 Summary What Makes an Interest Group Successful Groups that have large numbers of potential members are usually less effective than groups that have a smaller potential membership, because it is easier to mobilize members of a smaller group, who have more incentive to participate. To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.3 Summary What Makes an Interest Group Successful (cont.) Both large and small groups can benefit from the intensity of their members’ beliefs. Money always helps lubricate the wheels of power, though it is hardly a surefire guarantee of success. To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman The more a group has, the more successful it tends to be. A.intensity B.financial resources C.potential members D.all of the above LO 11.3 To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman The more a group has, the more successful it tends to be. A.intensity B.financial resources C.potential members D.all of the above To Learning Objectives LO 11.3

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.4 Summary How Groups Try to Shape Policy Lobbying is one group strategy and lobbyists are most effective with those legislators already sympathetic to their side. Electioneering becomes critical because it helps put supportive people in office. To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.4 Summary How Groups Try to Shape Policy (cont.) Groups operate in the judicial as well as the legislative process, using litigation in the courts when lobbying fails or is not enough. Many groups project a good image, employing public relations techniques to present themselves in the most favorable light. To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Which of the following is NOT a tactic interest groups use? A.Lobbying to influence policy. B.Forming political action committees to influence elections. C.Fielding candidates for office in general elections. D.Litigating to influence policy through the courts. LO 11.4 To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Which of the following is NOT a tactic interest groups use? A.Lobbying to influence policy. B.Forming political action committees to influence elections. C.Fielding candidates for office in general elections. D.Litigating to influence policy through the courts. To Learning Objectives LO 11.4

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.5 Summary Types of Interest Groups Economic interest groups involve business and labor, with business focusing on governmental regulations and subsidies and labor focusing on policies to ensure good working conditions and wages. Environmental interests are global warming, pollution, wilderness protection, and endangered species. To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.5 Summary Types of Interest Groups (cont.) Equality interest groups promote the fair treatment of groups that have been discriminated against in the past, such as African Americans and women. Public interest lobbies pursue policy objectives that they believe will benefit all citizens, such as consumer protection laws. To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Which of the following type of interest group tends to push for a collective good? A.Consumer groups B.Environmental groups C.Equality groups D.All of the above LO 11.5 To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Which of the following type of interest group tends to push for a collective good? A.Consumer groups B.Environmental groups C.Equality groups D.All of the above To Learning Objectives LO 11.5

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.6 Summary Understanding Interest Groups The issue of controlling interest groups remains as crucial to democracy today as it was in James Madison’s time. Some scholars (Pluralist Theory) believe that the growth of interest groups has worked to divide political influence, just as Madison hoped it would. To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.6 Summary Understanding Interest Groups (cont.) Critics of the Pluralist Theory (Elite Theory and Hyperpluralist Theory) focus on the political action committee (PAC) system as the new way in which special interests corrupt American democracy, or on the problem of too many groups having too much power to block policy change. To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Which theory of interest group politics best correlates with Madison’s ideas for controlling interest groups? A.Hyperpluralist Theory B.Elite Theory C.Pluralist Theory D.Class Theory LO 11.6 To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Which theory of interest group politics best correlates with Madison’s ideas for controlling interest groups? A.Hyperpluralist Theory B.Elite Theory C.Pluralist Theory D.Class Theory To Learning Objectives LO 11.6