1. Chapter 11- Interest Groups
Objective – Students will be able to answer questions regarding the interest groups.
SECTION
© 2001 by Prentice Hall, Inc.

2. Interest Groups Interest groups want to PASS POLICY
American Government
Interest groups want to PASS POLICY
BUT don’t run their own candidates for office
Interest groups can “access,” or influence many points and levels of government

3. Interest Group Examples
American Government
AARP (American Association of Retired People)
Sierra Club (Environment)
NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People)
NOW (National Organization of Women)
ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union)
PIRGs (Public Interest Research Groups)
NEA (National Education Association)
AMA (American Medical Association)
Thousands of interest groups in the US

4. Sierra Club
American Government

5. United Auto Workers (UAW)
American Government

6. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
American Government

7. American Association of Retired People (AARP)
American Government

8. National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
American Government

9. Interest Group Politics
American Government
Are interest groups good or bad for Americans politics?
Pluralism, Elitism, and Hyperpluralism

10. Interest Groups and Pluralism Theory
American Government
Many interests and groups prevents one from being too powerful
Linkage Institution – links people and government, gives voice to people
Federalist 10 – factions are bad, but a necessary evil
All groups are not equal, but gives voice

11. Interest Groups and Elitism Theory
American Government
Yes, there are lots of groups, but many do not matter AT ALL
Power held by business groups – MONEY
Most interest groups have no power

12. Interest Groups and Hyperpluralism
American Government
Interest groups causing political chaos
TOO MANY GROUPS
Government trying to please everyone, resulting policies are haphazard and ill-conceived
Ex. – support removing business regulations and support environment protection???
impossible

13. What makes Interest Groups powerful?
American Government
Size
Power of AARP – 25% of the population 50 and over
Intensity – drive or effort put forth (single issue groups fall into this category)
Money
form a PAC (Political Action Committee) – donate money to campaigns and advertising

14. Types of Interest Groups
American Government
Economic – Labor unions, agricultural, Business, Professional
Consumer – public interest, environmental
Equality and Justice – racial issues, gender issues, minority issues

15. How Interest Groups Work
American Government
Lobby – (aka Buttonholing) influence government policy
Ex - call/ officials, meet and socialize, go to lunch, testify at committee hearings, ask for political favors
Electioneering – keep people in office who are sympathetic to group wants and needs
Ex. - GIVE MONEY TO CAMPAIGNS

16. How Interest Groups Work
American Government
Litigation – (aka amicus curiae – “friends of the court”) (1) File briefs that consist of a written argument for their side
OR… (2) groups sue business or gov for action
Appealing to the public – make the group’s own public image look good
The “Ratings Game” – interest groups rate politicians based on voting records

17. How do Interest groups get money?
American Government
Donations (YOU!)
Foundations
Ex. - Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation
Federal grants and contracts

18. Results Total Dem% GOP% Business 75% 42% 57% Labor 6% 94% Ideological
American Government
Total
Dem%
GOP%
Business
75%
$1,233,136,672
42%
57%
Labor 6%
$90,105,425
94%
Ideological 5%
$75,920,267
51%
49%
Other 9%
$144,991,377
38%
60%
Unknown
$92,861,587
30%
67%
Campaign contributions from PAC, Soft Money, and Donations – 2000 elections

19. The Revolving Door A criticism of interest groups
American Government
A criticism of interest groups
Government officials quit their jobs or don’t get reelected
Then take government jobs for a certain lobbying agency
Fear that private interests by business have an unfair influence on gov decisions
Ex- official does favor in return for later job

20. Section Assessment
What is an interest group? What is their role in the U.S. political system?
2. Do you think interest groups are good or bad for democracy? Why?

21. Summary: In a paragraph, describe what you have learned today.