1. Chapter 9 Section 2&3
Mr. Gordon

2. Interest Groups Chapter 9 Section 2
An interest group is an association of people who hold similar views and goals.
Interest groups want to influence public opinion and elected officials
Political Action Committee (PAC) – an organization established by a corporation or other special interest to raise money from individuals for a political campaign or other political cause
Organizing Interest, Encouraging Participation, Supplying Information

4. Don’t Forget
Watch video on Super PACs

5. Types of Interest Groups
Agricultural & Business

6. Types of Interest Groups
Labor & Cause-Based

7. Types of Interest Groups
Societal and Professional Groups

8. Types of Interest Groups
Trade Association – interest group representing a certain industry or part of an industry (Coal)
Labor Unions and Professional Groups are alike as both represent workers

9. How Interest Groups Work
Groups support candidates and engage in lobbying.
Ways groups try to influence policy can be
Endorse – publicly declare support for a candidate
Lobbying – contacting public officials to persuade them to support their group or organization

10. How Interest Groups Work
Ways groups try to influence policy can be
Informing Public Opinion (grass roots movement)
Filing Lawsuits (Brown v. Board of Education)

11. Interest Groups and the Public Good
Benefits of Interest Groups are they give people a voice that may not be heard otherwise
Criticisms of Interest Groups are too much power, narrow interests and appeal to peoples emotions rather than finding solutions to problems
Limits on Interest groups - Congress passed ethics and lobbying reform legislation and limited influence by lobbyists to lessen their influence

13. Political Parties Chapter 9 Section 3
Political Party is an organization that helps elect members to public office
Political parties are important to the American political system because they are the main way we choose, elect and monitor our representatives

15. Democrats v. Republicans
Democrats (Liberals) – generally support government action to change social, political or economic policies thought to be unfair
Republicans (Conservatives) – generally support limited government, lower taxes and traditional social values
Moderates are in both parties with middle ground positions

16. Parties’ Three Main Roles
1) Nomination process – candidates for office
2) Helping the electorate – people who vote learn about the parties positions, learn the issues (this is what the book says),
3) Operating government – make laws, assign positions, foreign policy etc..

17. Informed Voters – Are you one?

18. The American Two- Party System
One-party system
Two-party system
Multiparty system

19. American Political Parties
Beginning political structures in the USA
Federalist Party – strong central government
Democrat-Republican Party – agriculture and ordinary citizens in small communities
Third party and independent candidates do not gather much support due to the two party system

20. Party Organization Each level helps achieve party goals
Local focuses on candidates
State supports local and national candidates
National raises funds for all levels

21. Political Parties and the Public Good
Benefits – keep out extremists views, try to include a broad base and have a “brand name” voters recognize
Criticisms – Lack of Unity, Discipline and Loyalty. Actions may benefit certain interests rather than public good.