1. INTEREST GROUPS

2. Why are interest groups so common?
Many kinds of ______________ in the country mean that there are many different interests.
Constitution provides many access points to the government (__________)
Political parties are weak so interests work directly on ______________.

3. History of Interest Groups
_______ of interest groups have an office in Washington D.C.
1800s- religious association, antislavery groups, _________________
1900s- business associations, charitable organizations
1960s- environmental groups, consumer groups
1970s – religious & _____________________
Moral Majority - Jerry Falwell
Christian Coalition – Pat Robertson

4. Factors explaining the rise of interest groups
1)Broad economic developments create new interests, redefine old interests
2)Government policies- ex: wars create ___________ who demand benefits
3)Emergence of strong leaders usually from a ______________________
Ex: civil rights, anti-war movements

5. Types of Organizations
Interest group- any organization that seeks to influence _____________________
Types:
Economic Interest Groups
_________________ - most powerful
unions and farmers- most declining
Public Interest Groups
________, professional, charitable AARP
Americans have great sense of efficacy, much more likely to join an interest group when compared to other nations.

6. Governmental Units
State and local governments ________ federal government for funds
Want their share of _________ and earmarks

7. Incentives to Join 1) solidary incentives- pleasure, ________________
Organized as coalitions of small local units
Ex: NAACP, Rotary, Parent-Teacher Association, American Legion
2) material ____________- $$, services
Ex: AARP, farm organizations

8. Incentives to Join
__________ incentives- goal/purpose of the organization itself
This group also benefits non-members…these people are called _______________________.
Public Interest groups- usually created to benefit those who are not represented by interest groups.

9. Social Movements
Definition- a widely shared demand for change in the social or political order.
Movements may spawn many
____________________.
More extreme organizations will be smaller and more activist.
More _____________ organizations will be larger and less activist.

10. Funds for interest groups
1) membership ________
2) foundation/federal grants
3) direct mail
a) unique to modern interest groups
b) computers allow groups to _______________________.
c) very expensive - need at least ___ return to be effective.

11. Direct mail techniques
1) teaser on envelope
2) letter arouses _______________
3) famous-name endorsement
4) ______________________ of letter

12. Facts about interest groups
1) those who are more affluent are more likely to __________ and be active.
2) business/professional groups are more ___________ and better financed.
3) Minorities, consumers, and the disadvantaged are ___________ by the interest groups.

13. Interest Groups in Action
The most important tactic of interest groups is to SUPPLY ______________
INFORMATION.
Detailed, current information can build/destroy a legislator/lobbyist relationship.
Most effective on _______, technical issues

14. Lobbying persuading political leaders to support the groups position
______________ – activities include:
Congressional testimony
Provide expert information
Executive – so many potential access points – Pres, staff, and bureaucracy
The ____________
Direct sponsorship or filing of amicus curiae briefs
Influence nominations to federal courts

15. Political Cues
Officials need political cues regarding what ___________ are at stake and how that fits with their own political beliefs.
So groups may establish informal _________ based on their general political ideology.
Rating systems are intended to generate support or ______________ for legislators.

16. Public Support
Face to face contact between lobbyist and __________ or staff most common.
____________ mobilization can impact policies passed/defeated in Congress.
Politicians dislike ___________ so they tend to work with interest groups that they agree with.

17. Money and PACS
Money is the _________ influential way to affect politics.
FECA 1973/1974:
1) restricted amounts interests can give to _______________.
2) made it legal for corporations and unions to create __________.

18. Rapid Growth of PACS More money available to all candidates
Members (Congress) are establishing their own PACS to further their own causes.
Over 1/2 of PACS are sponsored by
_________________.

19. Who gets the money? ___________ get the most PAC money.
Labor PACS give almost exclusively to _______________.
Business PACS are __________.
Democrats usually receive more _____ money.

20. Revolving Door
This term refers to those who work for the ____________ and then PACS and vice versa.
Can sometimes lead to ______________.

21. Regulating Interest Groups
They are protected by the _______
amendment.
1995 Lobbying Act:
1) requires _________ twice a year to include client names, expenditures, and issues
2) ______ Department may investigate.

22. Summary
Interest groups have a _____________ influence on policy because the average citizen does not pay attention.
The more narrow the issue, the more __________ they have, including being asked to help draw up legislation to be proposed to Congress, and aid in the carrying out of that ___________.