1. Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media Interest Groups

2. Interest Group n Any organization designed to influence public policy n Collective action by individuals on specific issues to influence policymaking in all levels of government n Prevent action, add/subtract/change policies n Unlike political parties, do not nominate candidates for public office

3. Historical Insight on Interest Groups n Federalist #10 by James Madison –Factions –Pluralism n Constitutional Backing –First Amendment F Freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom to petition government

4. Functions of Interest Groups n Awareness and Education on Issues n Linkage Between Electorate and Government n Provide Information to Government to Enhance Public Policy n Promote Political Participation

5. Incentives to Join an Interest Group n Solidary Incentives –A sense of belonging and companionship n Material Incentives –Direct Material Incentive F Money or monetary-based services –Purposive Incentive F Ideological motivation and ethical actions n Free Rider Problem –Benefits for non-members

6. Strategies of Interest Groups n Influencing Elections n Lobbying n Litigation n Going Public

7. Influencing Elections n Encourage members to vote n Influence party platforms and nominating conventions n Ratings n Political Action Committees (PACs) and Super PACs and 501c4 non-profits

8. Lobbying/Lobbyists n Paid representatives of an interest group –Usually lawyers, former congressional staffers, ex- legislators n Tactics –Provide data and information to influence policymakers –Congressional Testimony –Wining and Dining –Campaign Contributions –Grassroots Lobbying F Astroturfing –Coalition Lobbying K Street is a D.C. street home to numerous lobby firms

9. Litigation/Legal Maneuvers n Interest groups and their lobbyists may threaten to sue or sue in court –NAACP sued against segregation leading to landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision n File amicus curiae (friend of the court) briefs to influence judicial decisions

10. Going Public – Issue Advocacy n Direct mailings, media ads, internet blogs n May address issue through criticism n May address issue with favorable promotions n Increase attention and support to issues

11. Regulating Interest Groups n Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1946 –Required lobbyists to register with Congress if influenced legislation –United States v. Harriss (1954) n Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 –Required lobbyists to register if influencing congressional members, congressional staffers, and executive agencies –Disclose information on members, activities, and finances n Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (2007) –“Cooling Off Period” F Former Representatives must wait a year before registering as a lobbyist F Formers Senators and executive officials must wait two years before registering as a lobbyist

12. Economic Interest Groups n Labor Groups –AFL-CIO –Teamsters Union n Business Groups –National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) –U.S. Chamber of Commerce –Energy Lobby (umbrella term for energy corporations and industries) n Agricultural Groups –American Farm Bureau Federation –National Grange –National Farmers’ Union n Professional Groups –National Education Association (NEA) –American Medical Association (AMA) –American Bar Association (ABA) –Screen Actors Guild (SGA)

13. Ideological & Single Issue Groups n American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) n National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) n National Organization for Women (NOW) n Heritage Foundation n American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) n Moveon.org n Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) n American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) n National Rifle Association (NRA) n National Coalition to Ban Handguns (NCBH) n Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) n National Right To Life Committee (NRLC) n Planned Parenthood n Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) n Christian Coalition n Anti-Defamation League n Sierra Club n Greenpeace n People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) n American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)

14. Public Interest Groups n Common Cause n League of Women Voters n Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) n American Red Cross n American Automobile Association (AAA)