1. Special Interest Groups

2. What is an Interest Group?
Interest Group- organization of people with a common interest that try to influence government policies and decisions
Farmers, NRA, teachers unions, businesses, NAACP, NOW
Also known as a pressure group, or lobby
A person who is paid by an interest group, or lobby, is called a lobbyist
More concerned with influencing policies that affect their business or industries than getting candidates elected

3. What is an Interest Group?
Public Interest Group- promote the interests of the general public rather than one group
Consumer protection, wildlife, the environment
Most all interest groups use the same techniques
Encourage members to write the president or members of Congress
Hire lobbyists to represent their interests
Lobbyists are either former members of Congress or public agencies, or lawyers, public relations experts, or journalists

4. Influencing Government
Most all laws represent a struggle among interest groups
Lobbyists present their arguments to Congress in hopes Congress will vote one way or the other on a particular issue
Lobbyists use a number of methods to get their arguments across:
Argue in support of bills they favor, argue against bills they oppose
Supply information to Congress about a bill and may even help write a bill
Stay in contact with members of Congress about what their interest group wants
Testify at committee hearings

5. Influencing Government
Congress is faced with thousands of bills a year
Lobbyists help keep them informed on all these issues
Interest groups also try to influence the public
Advertisements in print and TV
Help promote political candidates that agree with their positions

6. Regulating Interest Groups
Federal and state governments require lobbyists to register
Who they are working for and how much money they are spending on their efforts
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995
Critics argue lobbyists have too much power in the lawmaking process 

7. Regulating Interest Groups
Critics argue politicians try to appease lobbyists too much
Interest groups that are not as well organized or funded don’t receive the same amount of attention from politicians
Regardless, interest groups represent political freedom
Every person has a right to make their opinion known to the government

8. ? What is the definition of an interest group?
What is the definition of a lobbyist?
What are public interest groups?
What is an example of a method interest groups use to influence politicians?
What are some criticisms of interest groups?