1. Interest Groups and Lobbying
Unit 5
U.S. Government Honors
Stater

2. Interest Groups
Section 1

3. Interest Groups Purpose Types
To influence government policy to support a particular group’s goal
Example:
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) works for the well-being of older Americans
Economic
Social
Political action committees

4. The 1st Amendment
The Constitution give you the right to influence your representatives’ decisions
The right “to petition the government for a redress of grievances”

5. Economic Interest Groups
Represent particular professions or industries
Most common type of interest group
They petition the government to promote business interests
Examples:
American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)
American Medical Association (AMA)

6. Social Interest Groups
Promote social causes and values
Many are religious or charity-based in nature
Others focus on international issues
Examples:
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
National Rifle Association (NRA)
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

7. Question: Which best describes what social interest groups generally promote?
state-sponsored religion
financial support for charities
development of international economic relationships
causes and values important to a community

8. Answer: Which best describes what social interest groups generally promote?
state-sponsored religion
financial support for charities
development of international economic relationships
causes and values important to a community

9. Political Action Committees (PACs)
Section 2

10. Political Action Committees (PACs)
Groups that help finance campaigns
Formed by economic interest groups or cause groups
Goal: to get politicians who support their cause elected
They are regulated by Federal Election Commission (FEC) guidelines

11. Super PACs Committees with fewer restrictions that:
Allow corporations, industries, and unions to make unlimited donations
Serve as a major source of financing for political campaigns
They cannot donate directly to campaigns
Instead, they run independent campaigns to support candidates
Mostly through advertising

12. Question: Which best describes how political action committees (PACs) enhance the power of individuals?
PACs enable individuals to donate unlimited amounts of money to campaigns.
PACs ensure that the voice of the individual is heard by powerful sitting politicians.
PACs facilitate access for individuals to speak to politicians one-on-one.
PACs combine individuals’ donations into significant contributions.

13. Answer: Which best describes how political action committees (PACs) enhance the power of individuals?
PACs enable individuals to donate unlimited amounts of money to campaigns.
PACs ensure that the voice of the individual is heard by powerful sitting politicians.
PACs facilitate access for individuals to speak to politicians one-on-one.
PACs combine individuals’ donations into significant contributions.

14. Lobbyists
Section 3

15. Lobbyists Represent the wishes of business and interest groups
Paid professionals
Pressure the government to adopt laws and policies favorable to their clients’ causes

16. Lobbyists pressure legislators to take action by:
Gathering information about proposed laws and policies
Providing information to government officials and the public
Proposing and writing legislation
Speaking directly with policy makers

17. Lobbyists influence all three branches of government Executive
Drafting regulations and rules
Legislative
Drafting legislation
Meeting with representatives
Judicial
Filing briefs in cases

18. Regulating Lobbyists Professional lobbying firms must:
Register with the government
Report their lobbying activities throughout the year
Follow strict legal and ethical standards

19. Pros & Cons of Lobbying Positive impacts Negative impacts
Provide a way for citizens and businesses to communicate with government
Help educate and inform policy makers
Negative impacts
May create an unfair advantage for wealthier citizens and corporations
May create opportunities for corruption in government

20. Question: Why must lobbyists register with the government and report their activities annually?
to provide transparency on how lobbyists and government officials interact
to ensure that corrupt practices can be tracked and taxed appropriately
to make sure that government employees are in the right buildings during working hours
to track which lobbyists are the most successful at influencing changes in policy

21. Answer: Why must lobbyists register with the government and report their activities annually?
to provide transparency on how lobbyists and government officials interact
to ensure that corrupt practices can be tracked and taxed appropriately
to make sure that government employees are in the right buildings during working hours
to track which lobbyists are the most successful at influencing changes in policy