POLITICAL PARTICIPATION, INTEREST GROUPS, POLITICAL PARTIES INTEREST GROUPS

What is an interest group? What are some examples of interest groups? What is the difference between an interest group and a political party? Pluralism/Hyperpluralism Why do individuals join groups?

INTEREST GROUPS In Federalist Paper #10-James Madison penned interest groups as factions. He said: By a faction, I understand a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or a minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community. There are two methods of curing the mischiefs of faction: the one, by removing its causes; the other, by controlling its effects. There are again two methods of removing the causes of faction: the one, by destroying the liberty which is essential to its existence; the other, by giving to every citizen the same opinions, the same passions, and the same interests.

INTEREST GROUPS An interest group is an organization whose members share common concerns, and try to influence government policies that impact those concerns.

INTEREST GROUPS How do we control Interest Groups? List ways: Read article

INTEREST GROUPS Techniques Resources In what areas are interest groups most powerful? Specific examples: AARP NAACP Sierra Club AFL-CIO

INTEREST GROUPS- TECHNIQUES  Lobbying government. Organized interests hire representatives to advocate on behalf of the group's interests. Lobbying activities include contacting members of Congress and the executive branch to disseminate information about the positive or adverse effects of proposed legislation. * Engaging in election activities. Interests may attempt to influence elections in order to help get people who support their issues elected or reelected. Electioneering techniques include giving money to candidates, endorsing candidates or issues, and conducting grassroots activities such as get-out- the-vote drives. * Educating various publics. Interest groups work hard to educate the public at large, government officials, their own members, and potential interest group members.

INTEREST GROUPS- TECHNIQUES * Mobilizing various publics. To influence policy-making, many groups rely on the efforts of people who are motivated to act on behalf of their issues and causes. So-called grassroots activities might include writing letters, making phone calls, contacting policy-makers, and demonstrating. Many interest groups in society are those focused on advancing their members' economic interests. Some have a large membership base, while others represent only a few members. Trade associations, for example, represent one segment of the economy (e.g., defense contractors, trial lawyers) but often take a stand on a variety of policy matters. Because their members have a direct economic incentive to support the group's actions, economic interest groups tend to be well funded and very professional.

INTEREST GROUPS- TECHNIQUES  Economic interest groups often combine the services of professional lobbyists with other efforts to help their members. They may help write letters, place phone calls, meet with decision makers, and, in the case of large membership organizations such as unions, engage in demonstrations directed at decision makers.  Citizen action groups, also known as public interest groups, are another type of enduring interest group. Some are generally concerned with a broad range of issues that affect the public at large, such as social or environmental issues.

PAC’S What is a Political Action Committee (PAC)? Trace the origin and development of PACs. Federal Election Campaign Act of Federal Election Commission/full disclosure -No foreign contributions -soft money (vs. hard money) -bundling -impact on incumbents

PAC’S Limitations on PACs and individual contributions Public Financing/Presidential Races Buckley v. Valeo (1976) McCain Feingold 527s Issue Ads McConnel vs. the FEC (2003) Debate: Money in politics hinders democracy vs. Money in politics helps democracy

POLITICAL PARTIES What is a political party? What are the functions of parties? Describe the organization of the two major parties. Compare two party systems to multiparty systems. How has the power of the political party declined in the US?

POLITICAL PARTIES Realignment – define Identify and describe four realigning periods in US political history Identify the major voting coalitions of the major parties today.

THIRD PARTIES What is a “third party”? Cite examples of third parties Identify and describe major challenges to third party success in the United States today

POLITICAL PARTIES Role of the Party in Presidential Elections Define: plurality election Define: majority election Define: winner take all election Define primary, caucus, convention. What are some of the different types of primaries?