1. INTEREST GROUPS

2. Economic Chamber of Commerce promotes free enterprise Tobacco Institute fights for tobacco manufacturers AFL-CIO fights for workers TYPES OF INTEREST GROUPS

3. Other (Non-Economic) Groups Organized to promote a d (i.e. ethnic group, age, religion or gender)  NAACP promotes the rights of African Americans  NOW promotes the rights of women  AARP promotes the rights of retired people TYPES OF INTEREST GROUPS

4. Other (Non-Economic) Groups Organized around a special d  Sierra Club protects nature  NRA promotes rights of d owners  American Cancer Society promotes cancer research TYPES OF INTEREST GROUPS

5. Other (Non-Economic) Groups Public Interest Groups  Works to benefit all, or most, of ________________  League of Women Voters: impartial group that educates voters TYPES OF INTEREST GROUPS

6.  Primary goal influence public policy  Elections  Use political resources to support candidate  Many form Political Action Committees-collect money from members to support candidate(s)  Going to Court  If law not being enforced, group brings a lawsuit to court  Also argue constitutionality INTEREST GROUPS AND GOVERNMENT

7.  Lobbyists represent interest groups by contacting lawmakers or other officials directly  Operate at all three levels of government  Historically these people waited in the lobby of statehouses to speak to law makers LOBBYING GOVERNMENT

8.  Most important resource they provide is information  Supply lawmakers  Suggest solutions  Prepare drafts of bills  Makes sure passed laws are enforced LOBBYING GOVERNMENT

9.  Direct-mail campaigns  Advertise using propaganda techniques to promote views  Bandwagon-everybody else is doing it  Name-calling  Endorsement-famous person supports  Stacked cards-describes all the positives done  Glittering generalities-very broad, not specific  Just plain folks  Transfer(symbol): a flag = patriotism TECHNIQUES INTEREST GROUPS USE

10.  Regulating Interest Groups  Limits amount of donations  Must register with Congress  Must provide certain hiring information  Waiting period from government official to lobbyist  Meant to prevent unfair advantages TECHNIQUES INTEREST GROUPS USE

11. Cons (oppose/against)  Too much say in government  improper influence over office holders Pros (support)  Make government more responsive  Communicates people’s wishes  Organize and participate TECHNIQUES INTEREST GROUPS USE