1. Chris & Alex

2. Range of Interests  Guns (NRA, Firearms and Liberty)  Being retired (AARP)  Farming/Agriculture (USAIN International)  Beer wholesaling (LAFAA)  Teachers (American Federation of Teachers)  Pretty much everything has an interest group

3. Vocabulary  Interest group - organized group of individuals sharing common objectives who actively influence politics  Indirect technique – using a third party, such as a public official, to convince a given government official to listen to you  Direct technique- approaching the government official directly, possibly with money or other incentives

4. More Vocabulary  PAC-A company representing a corporation, union, or special interest group  Lobbyist-a person who tries to influence legislation on behalf of a special interest  Public interest – best interests of the overall community

5. Activities  Most interest groups will do fundraisers  They also collect dues for membership  Some, such as the NRA, will have rallies and protests to make sure they keep their rights to whatever they represent

6. Effects on the Political Process Interest groups will donate money and other things (such as promises of votes) to political figures in order for the person to represent their interest Interest groups will donate money and other things (such as promises of votes) to political figures in order for the person to represent their interest They will also tell their members who to vote for which can, in some cases, change the result of the election They will also tell their members who to vote for which can, in some cases, change the result of the election

7. Top 5 Interest Groups (2001) 1. NRA (National Rifle Association) www.nra.org www.nra.orgwww.nra.org 1. AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) 2. www.aarp.org www.aarp.org 3. National Federation of Independent Business www.nfib.com www.nfib.com 4. American-Israel Public Affairs Committee www.aipac.org www.aipac.org 5. Association of Trial Lawyers of America www.theatla.com www.theatla.com

8. (Political Action Committees) (Political Action Committees) A company representing a corporation, union, or special interest group A company representing a corporation, union, or special interest group They raise and give campaign donations on behalf of the corporations or groups they represent They raise and give campaign donations on behalf of the corporations or groups they represent They can greatly influence votes with large sum donations to major political figures They can greatly influence votes with large sum donations to major political figures Amount of money contributed is limited Amount of money contributed is limited P ACs

9. News Media Advantages Sharing and connecting of information Shares government and organization events to public ___________________________________ _____ Disadvantages Often biased opinions according to source Content often overlooked

10. Media Impact  The media provides, to the public an insight on the government and its activities.  With technology continuing to expand, the media has developed into a direct link between politics and its voters.

11. Overview Interest groups allow common people without a political background to voice their opinion and spread beliefs. These groups’ primary goal is to play an active role in the American government. Interest groups allow common people without a political background to voice their opinion and spread beliefs. These groups’ primary goal is to play an active role in the American government. PACs, or political action committees, are organized to elect candidates and advance the outcomes of an issue. PACs, or political action committees, are organized to elect candidates and advance the outcomes of an issue. The new media is the link between the workings of politics and those who vote. It can be found as newspapers, television, radio, and the internet as of these last decades.