1. Interest Groups and Lobbying

2. Political Interest Groups/ Lobbying Assignment
Look over the following powerpoint on Lobbying and Political Interest groups.
At the end of the powerpoint is a political cartoon that represents common thought about how lobbying and government works today.
In a one page essay, identify the good(3) and bad (3) points of political interest groups and their influence on our governmental system. What do you think the founding fathers would think of these groups and their influence on how government works?

3. Interest Groups give the unrepresented or underrepresented an opportunity to be heard
Problem is they also give wealthy and powerful the opportunity to influence policy makers at all levels of government
Types of interest groups
Public Interest Groups
Economic Interest Groups
Governmental Units
Political Action Committees
Multi-issue versus single-issue groups

4. THE BIG 3 ECONOMIC INTEREST GROUPS
1. Trade and Professional Groups (ex: American Medical Association; American Business Association; or Trial Lawyers Association)
2. Labor Organizations (ex: National Education Association; American Federation of Teachers; International Labor Association; Teamsters; United Auto Workers, American Association of Retired People)
3. Farmer Organizations

5. What Do Interest Groups Do?
Some are non political.
Political interest groups
increase representation and participation
increase public awareness about important issues
help frame the public agenda
monitor programs to guarantee effective implementation
engage in lobbying and election activities

6. Downside of Interest Groups
The downside to interest groups is that as they grow they demand more and more attention thus increasing the cost of public policies and the size of the government
Influence of Legislation and Ballot measures may mean that a select population controls the development of laws that impact everyone.

7. What are the characteristics of selected interest groups?

8. What role do lobbyists play in Congress
What role do lobbyists play in Congress? This cartoon presents one popular, although not always correct, view of how legislation gets enacted on Capitol Hill.