1. INTEREST GROUPS AND PUBLIC POLICY
CHAPTER 11, SECTIONS 2 & 3
CE.7d
MR. COLLINS & MR. HALL

2. Terms to Know
Lobbying – seeking to influence legislators to introduce or vote for or against a bill
Bias – one-sided point-of-view
Impartial – considering all viewpoints

3. Ways Individuals Influence Public Policy
Participating in Politics – voting and campaigning
Expressing opinions – lobbying, demonstrating, and writing letters
Joining Interest Groups

4. Types of Interest Groups
Economic Interest Groups – concerned with economic issues (Chamber of Commerce)
Private Interest Groups – Promote religion, gender, ethnicity, or the environment (NAACP, NOW, Greenpeace)
Public Interest Groups – Work to benefit all of society

5. Ways Interest Groups Influence Public Policy
Identifying issues
Making political contributions
Lobbying government officials

6. Techniques Interest Groups Use
Endorsement – getting famous people to support them
Stacked Cards – presenting only one side of an issue by distorting the facts
Bandwagon – convincing everyone that everyone else believes a viewpoint
Symbols – American Flag, Pledge of Allegiance

7. Techniques (cont.)
Glittering Generality – a statement that sounds good but is meaningless (return to family values)
Just Plain Folks – attempting to make people feel the candidate is like them
Name-calling – an unpleasant label for another person or group

8. FUNCTIONS OF INTEREST GROUPS
A: Bring issues to the public
B: Represent concerns of specific groups
C: Support local candidates who favor their interests

9. LOBBIES
To influence public policy, interest groups need govt. officials to support their interests
Lobbyists: paid employees or volunteers who work for interest groups
Lobbyists must know the right agencies, depts., and officials to talk to

10. WHERE TO LOBBY? HOW TO LOBBY?
Where: Local, state, and federal govt.
How: Research issues, present facts to lawmakers, perhaps testify at House or Senate committee hearings
Arouse public opinion on issues—gets people to pressure lawmakers

11. REGULATION OF LOBBIES
Today most lobbyists are professional and ethical: gifts and bribes have reduced
Regulations have been made on:
Registering federal lobbyists
Time periods for ex-public officials to join interest groups

12. International Issues that Affect Public Policy
International issues and events that would require policy decisions by local government officials could include the following:
Public health concerns in the event of a pandemic
Public safety in the event of an act of terrorism
Economic development policies in response to the emerging global economy
Policies to protect the environment (e.g., wildlife protection)