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American Government C H A P T E R 9 INTEREST GROUPS
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The Role of Interest Groups Interest groups: private organizations whose members share views & work to shape public policy. Public policy: all of the goals government sets & the actions it takes to realize goals. Interest groups exist to shape public policy. Chapter 9, Section 1
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Political Party & Interest Group Differences Nominations Parties responsible for nominating process; IGs hope to influence nominations. Primary Focus Parties interested in winning elections & controlling government; IGs interested in influencing government. Scope of Interest Parties concerned with all public affairs; IGs focus on issues concerning members. Chapter 9, Section 1
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Valuable Functions of Interest Groups IGs raise awareness of public affairs : issues concerning people. IGs represent people sharing attitudes rather than geography. IGs provide information to govt. agencies & legislators. IGs are vehicles for political participation. IGs keep tabs on public agencies & officials. IGs compete. Chapter 9, Section 1
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Criticisms Some have influence out of proportion to size/importance. Can be difficult to tell who/how many ppl served. Don’t always represent ppl they claim to speak for. Sometimes use bribery, threats, etc. Chapter 9, Section 1
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Chapter 9, Section 2 * Reasons for Interest Groups Most founded on basis of economic interest, esp. business, labor, agricultural, & professional interests. Some grounded in geographic area. Some based on cause or idea, like environmentalism. Some promote welfare of groups of people, like retired citizens. Some run by religious organizations.
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Public-Interest Groups A public-interest group seeks to institute public policies that benefit all/most people in country, whether belonging to organization or not. Chapter 9, Section 2
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Influencing Public Opinion Interest groups reach out to public: 1. To supply information to support group’s interests 2. To build positive image for group 3. To promote particular policy Chapter 9, Section 3
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Propaganda Propaganda: technique of persuasion to influence individuals/groups. To create belief which may be true or false. Propaganda disregards info. that doesn’t support its conclusion. It presents only one side of an issue. Propaganda often uses name-calling & inflammatory labels. Chapter 9, Section 3
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Influencing Parties and Elections Political Action Committees (PACs) raise and distribute money to candidates who will further their goals. Chapter 9, Section 3
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Lobbying Lobbying: a group pressures legislators & influences legislative process. Lobbying affects legislature, government agencies, executive branch, & even courts. Most important IGs have lobbyists in Washington, D.C. Chapter 9, Section 3
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Lobbyists at Work Lobbyists: Send articles, reports, other info. to officeholders. Testify before legislative committees. Bring “grass-roots” pressures through email, letters, phone calls from constituents. Rate candidates & publicize the ratings. Make campaign contributions. Chapter 9, Section 3
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