Interest/Pressure Groups In the American Political System

Interest Group - A Definition An interest group is a private organization of like-minded people whose goal is to influence and shape public policy. An interest group is a private organization of like-minded people whose goal is to influence and shape public policy. Interest groups are “extra- constitutional”. Interest groups are “extra- constitutional”.

Early Development Date back to the time of the “Founding Fathers” Date back to the time of the “Founding Fathers” Seen as power-hungry Seen as power-hungry Believed to “promote instability, injustice, and confusion” Believed to “promote instability, injustice, and confusion”

Types of Interest Groups Economic Economic Ideological or single-issue Ideological or single-issue Public interest Public interest Foreign policy Foreign policy Governmental Governmental

Economic Groups Business Business Trade Associations Trade Associations Labor Labor Professional Associations Professional Associations

Ideological Groups Motivated for or against a particular issue, such as gun ownership and abortion rights Motivated for or against a particular issue, such as gun ownership and abortion rights

Public Interest Groups Motivated by such issues as the environment, safe energy, consumer protection, and good government. Motivated by such issues as the environment, safe energy, consumer protection, and good government.

Foreign Policy Interest Groups Concerned with the relationship between the United States and foreign nations. Examples include the Council on Foreign Relations, and AIPAC—the American-Israel Political Action Committee. Concerned with the relationship between the United States and foreign nations. Examples include the Council on Foreign Relations, and AIPAC—the American-Israel Political Action Committee.

Government Interest Groups Represent the interests of government employees, as well as elected officials from state and local governments. Represent the interests of government employees, as well as elected officials from state and local governments.

Characteristics and Power of Interest Groups Size and resources Size and resources Cohesiveness Cohesiveness Leadership Leadership Techniques Techniques Intensity Intensity

Interest Group Techniques Appeals to the public and mass media Appeals to the public and mass media Mass mailings Mass mailings Influence of rule making Influence of rule making Litigation Litigation Election Activities/electioneering Election Activities/electioneering Forming a political party Forming a political party Lobbying Lobbying

Growth of Interest Groups

Interest Groups vs. Political Parties Interest groups… Interest groups… support candidates, but cannot nominate them support candidates, but cannot nominate them take a narrow focus on most issues take a narrow focus on most issues compete for influence over elected officials compete for influence over elected officials

Interest Groups vs. Political Parties (con’t.) Political parties… Political parties… can nominate candidates can nominate candidates focus on a broad range of issues to appeal to a broad range of people focus on a broad range of issues to appeal to a broad range of people compete for control of the branches of govt. to control policy making compete for control of the branches of govt. to control policy making

Proposals for Reform Increasing the number of groups Increasing the number of groups Full disclosure Full disclosure Increased federal and state regulations Increased federal and state regulations

Examples Check out this web site for links to examples of the most influential interest groups in the U.S.! Check out this web site for links to examples of the most influential interest groups in the U.S.! html

Interest/Pressure Groups A necessary evil… what do you think?