1. Chapter 19 : Lesson 3
Interest Groups and Their Roles

2. Essential Question
What are interest groups and are they an effective way for Americans citizens to participate in the political process?

3. Influencing Government
There are three major groups that influence our government.
Individuals
Media
Interest Groups

4. Vocabulary
Interest Groups: a group of people who share common goals and organize to influence government and policy
Interest groups are not a part of the government – they are made up of individual people!)

5. Growth of Interest Groups

6. How do Interest Groups Work?
Interest groups reach out to the public for three purposes
Supply the public with information in an effort to gain support for their cause
Work to build a positive image for their group
Promote the public policies they favor

7. How do Interest Groups Achieve their Goals?
Propaganda
The technique of persuasion aimed at influencing behaviors to create certain beliefs
These beliefs may be true, false or partly true

8. Michael Jordan plays ball. Charles Manson kills people. I talk.
My job requires a sort of…moral flexibility

9. Individuals influence the government by
Contributing to or working on campaigns
Running for political office
Voting in elections
Petitioning the government for change

10. Types of Interest Groups
Economic interest groups : try to influence government policies that affect their industry or profession. (Ex- American Farm Bureau Federation)

12. Types of Interest Groups
Issue-oriented interest groups: focus on a specific issue or cause (Ex-NAACP, NRA)

15. Types of Interest Groups
Public-interest groups promote the interests of the general public (Ex – National Wildlife Federation)

17. How Interest Groups Influence Government
Participate In Election Activities
Interest groups often supply workers/money to election campaigns.
Political Action Committees (PACs) are organizations set up by interest groups primarily to collect money to support favored candidates.

18. The Influence of Interest Groups
Bringing Cases to Court
Interest Groups influence public policy by bringing cases to court to test the constitutionality of laws.

19. What makes Interest Groups Powerful?
Money
PACs
Each corporation or group can set up a PAC that gives money to political candidates (up to $5,000)
Money goes overwhelmingly to incumbents
527s
Groups that can raise unlimited amounts of money and use it for voter mobilization, issue advocacy, but NOT for candidate advocacy or to be given to candidates

21. Powerful Interest Groups
AARP
AFL-CIO
Sierra Club
Exxon
Blue Cross/Blue Shield
NAACP
NOW
Leadership PACs
NBWA
Right to Life
ACLU
NAR
AMA
NEA/AFT
moveon.org
NRA

22. Institutions of Government NRA Political Victory Fund PAC Lobbyists
NRA hires lawyers, PR firms, advertising firms, organizes conventions & gun shows, etc. with due money from members
NRA Political Victory Fund PAC
Gave over $1 million in the 2004 election cycle
Lobbyists
Either employed by the NRA or hired on retainer
$5K
Institutions of
Government
Q: What is the most common employment for a member of Congress who *gasp* loses their re-election bid?
A: Become a lobbyist and make many times your government salary
Congress
President
Bureaucracy
Judiciary

23. What is the difference between Interest Groups and Political Parties?
Care mostly about who takes part in government
Political Parties
Care mostly about what the government does – especially on select issues
Interest Groups

24. What the pros and cons of Interest Groups?
Stimulate interest in public affairs and issues that concern the people at large
Offer a chance for people to participate in politics and connect with others who share their views
Provide useful information to the government leaders who may not be familiar with all the issues
Since they compete with each other, they limit extremes
Keeps close tabs on government
Cons
Critics say they have more influence than they deserve based on the worth of their causes or the number of people they represent
Difficult to tell exactly how many people an interest group represents
Some interest groups do not represent the views of all the people they claim to represent
Interest groups can draw too much attention to an issue with aggressive behavior, thus causing politicians to cater to special interests

25. Purpose Example American Bankers Association Promote business
Organize Labor
Promote professions
Promote social programs
For the public good
Example
American Bankers Association
Fraternal Order of Police
American Medical Association
Veterans of Foreign Wars
League of Women Voters

26. Valuable Functions of Interest Groups
Interest groups raise awareness of public affairs, or issues that concern the people at large, seek to influence legislation
Can you think of an interest group TODAY that address awreness?

28. 5 Ways Interest Groups different from Public Opinion
1. Interest groups are policy specialists
2. Focus on only a handful of key policies
3. More tightly organized
4. Financed through dues and contributions
5. Try to influence the outcome of elections, but do not compete for public office

29. Review Question:
Chapter 19 : Lesson 3
Read pages and answer Review Questions on page 590. Hand in Google Class Room.