1. What are all the organizations that you and your family members are a part of?

2. Any organization that seeks to influence public policy.
Interest Groups
Any organization that seeks to influence public policy.

3. Three Types of Interest Groups
1. Single – Issue
2. Social Action
3. Economic

4. Single Issue Interest Groups
National Rifle Association (NRA)
Right-to-Life

6. Social Action Interest Groups
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
National Organization for Women (NOW)
Sierra Club

7. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Protect religious and civil rights, defends the Bill of Rights; to combat bigotry

9. Economic Interest Groups
Labor Unions
AFL-CIO
Chamber of Commerce

10. Economic Interest Groups
Professional Associations
American Medical Association
American Bar Association
Agriculture
National Grange

11. Functions of Interest Groups
provide information to legislators and the public (most significant role)
Influence public policy
Ex: AAA provides highway death figures when the speed limit is increased

12. Incentives to join Interest Groups
Material Benefits
Discounts
Money
Special services to members only
Travel
Free items

13. Tactics of Interest Groups
hold rallies
stir/start legislation
Lobbying
raise money $$ for candidates/parties
use persuasive propaganda
Pay for Issue Ads- Educating the voter to the “cause”

14. What is Lobbying??
Interest group representatives speak directly with lawmakers to influence them.
Lobbyists have tremendous power
Origin: British reps once crowded into the lobbies outside legislative chambers of Parliament to speak with lawmakers

17. Types of Lobbying “grassroots”
A movement started and carried out by people at a local level, not by professionals
EX) petitions, protests, letters – MADD
Why effective? Power of the vote- many people
Don’t have to disclose contributions $$$$

18. Types of Lobbying “professional”
Companies hire professional lobbyists to speak to officials
Ex. Tobacco companies hire people to persuade officials to oppose laws damaging to the tobacco industry.

19. Why should you hire a lobbyist?
Professionals know the cause.
Have the trust of legislators (building relationships & their good reputation is their job).
Know how to play the game & who the key players are.

22. Types of Lobbying Astroturf Lobbying
Types of Lobbying
Astroturf Lobbying
Big businesses pretending to be grassroots organizations so they don’t have to disclose who pays them.
Ex.“Big Tobacco” sends out letters with self-addressed envelopes to people with the hope that they will sign their names to the letter and mail it back. You will be on their mailing list FOREVER!!!!

23. How do interest groups raise money $$$ ???
PAC = Political Action Committee
set up by interest groups to raise $ for candidates and parties
Ex) VOTE-COPE- NY teachers union PAC
EMILY’s List- supports female candidates

24. How do interest groups raise money $$$ ???
Individual Campaign contributions are limited to $2,300 per election, but PAC’s can give $5,000 to a candidate or $15,000 to a party.
PAC’s can also run their own “issue ads” on TV.

25. Hard Money vs. Soft Money
The limited $2,300 per election amount is called “hard” money and goes directly to the candidate running for office.
Candidates can use this $ to run ads supporting their candidacy.
“I am Barrack Obama and I approve this message”.

26. Soft Money
Unlimited $$$ raised and spent by interest groups on their own ads.
“527” interest groups and some PAC’s can run “issue ads” w/ soft $.
Such "issue ads" won't explicitly tell you to elect or defeat a particular candidate, but the group's view of the candidate's stance on their issue is clear.
Highly controversial due to corruption.

28. Why are there so many interest groups in America?
Constitutional Protection- First Amendment (free speech & assembly).
Pluralistic Society- many different political, social, and economic interests.
Rising costs of political campaigns.