1. Political Interest Groups

2. Last Time: Media in Politics

3. Benchmark: SS.7.C.2.10: Examine the impact of media, individuals, and interest groups on monitoring and influencing government.

4. Individuals: What can you do
Individuals: What can you do? • Run for office • Petition or write to government officials • Attend political meetings • Volunteer for candidates • Donate to campaigns & ● Vote

5. Interest Groups: a group of individuals with common interests who try to influence government and public policy Public Policy: a plan of action by the government to solve a problem

8. Types of Interest Groups Economic Business & Professional Organizations - want better business opportunities for its’ members ex: Chamber of Commerce Push for: lower taxes on businesses Labor Unions – want better wages & working conditions ex: United Auto Workers

9. Types of Interest Groups: Public Interest Groups: Formed to help “the people” ex: Environmental ex: Consumer Protection Single Issue one focus

10. Types of Interest Groups Specific People NAACP – National Association for the Advancement of Colored People NOW – National Organization of Women

11. Difference between political parties & interest groups political parties work to get candidates elected interest groups work to get laws passed

13. Electioneering: Interest groups make donations to campaigns (PACs) – and give endorsements

14. Litigation interest groups will bring lawsuits against the government

15. Publicity gain attention for their causes

16. Lobbying: Interest groups hire lobbyists to influence lawmakers

17. Lobbying: Bad reputation – “bribing” officials

18. Lobbying: Not all bad Help write laws Have expertise

19. Lobbying: Not all bad Help write laws Have expertise

21. Review Interest Groups
What is one thing you can do as an individual to effect the government?
Run for office, petition or write your representatives, volunteer on a campaign, or attend a political meeting

22. Review Interest Groups
Why do politicians listen to interest groups?
Because they have “strength in numbers”

23. Review Interest Groups
What do you call an interest group of workers who fight for better wages and working conditions?
Labor Union

24. Review Interest Groups
What is an interest group formed to help “the people?”
Public Interest Group

25. Review Interest Groups
What is the difference between a political party and an interest group?
A political party is only focused on getting their candidates elected – an interest group wants to get laws passed that will help their members

26. Review Interest Groups
What methods do interest groups use to influence the government?
Hire lobbyists, publicize issues, bring lawsuits against the government or companies (litigation), help officials who support them get elected

27. Review Interest Groups
What do you call the people who go to lawmakers directly to try to influence them to pass laws for the interest groups?
Lobbyists