1. Chapter 18 Notes Interest Groups & Public Opinion
Macdonald
Government

2. Interest Group Organization
When James Madison warned against factions, meant interest groups
Purpose of interest groups
Group based on common values (usually focus on one issue) that works to influence gov’t
Purpose to bridge gap between ppl & govt
Political power comes from strength in numbers – raise $
Membership
Reasons for belonging
Economic interest
Beliefs, values or attitudes
Social function
Higher your SES, more likely to be in a group
2. Business & labor groups
Other
Professional associations (AMA, ABA)
Environmental (Sierra Club, NWF)

3. II. Affecting Public Policy
Lobbyists make contact w/ lawmakers
Strict laws about $ to avoid bribery
Give useful info to lawmakers (draft laws, testify in Congress)
Try to get support for positions (media, letter writing campaigns)
Rise of Political Action Committees (PACs)
Interest groups use $ to influence lawmakers – campaign contributions
Purpose of PACs
a. Campaign finance laws prohibit rich ppl from giving large amts of $
b. laws apply to ppl, not groups
3. No PACS can give $5000 per
4. S.C. ruled that spending to support candidate is free speech

4. III. Shaping Public Policy
Nature of Public Opinion
Huge influence on govt
Diverse
Ideas must be expressed to govt
Must be a significant number
Political Socialization
Family & home influence – most kids (2/3) same party as parents
Schools teach democratic values
Peer groups – likely to share views w/ friends
Social characteristics – economic & social status have effect
Mass Media – news & entertainment
Showing certain types as heroes can influence opinion
Can discredit, reinforce, create stereotypes
Political Efficacy – whether a person feels they can impact “they system” – vital in democracy

5. IV. Measuring Public Opinion
Traditional Methods
Political parties inform party leaders about voter attitudes
Members of interest groups contact officials (slated)
Mass media – politicians look at which news programs get higher ratings
Letter writing
/ fax
Straw polls - unscientific
Scientific Polling
Random sample
Carefully worded question
Interpret the results