1. Unit 4: Interest Groups
LG: I will explain the role of interest groups & social movements in American politics.

2. I. A Nation of Interests Interest groups focus on specific issues
Successful w/ Congress in narrow issues
Link the citizens w/ political process
Social movements focus on overall shift in a cause or group

3. II. Types of Interest Groups
Economic
Corporations & Small business
Trade
Professional Associations
Labor
Usually favor democrats
Unions

4. 5.2
FIGURE 5.1: Union membership in the United States compared to other countries
How might aspects of American culture and ideology help explain the relatively low unionization of the American workforce? Do you know why rates of unionization are even lower in Germany and France?

5. 5.2 FIGURE 5.2: Labor force and union membership, 1930-2011
How can you explain the steady upward growth of the labor force without a comparable growth in the unionized labor force?

6. Ideological & Single-Issue
Usually unwilling to compromise
NRA
Abortion
AARP-most influential

7. Public Interest Claim to represent public interest
a. Social movements- 1960’s
Public interest research groups (PIRGS)
a. Ralph Nadar- consumer protection

8. Foreign Policy Israel-Arab relations Nongovernmental organizations
Amnesty International

9. Public Sector Interests Groups
Gov’t groups
National Education Association (NEA)

10. III. Techniques Publicity/Media Internet/e-mail Mass mailings
Litigation
Protest
Contributing to campaigns
Lobbying members of Congress