Chapter 9 Interest Groups ZThe Nature of Interest Groups ZPrivate organizations Ztry to persuade public officials to respond to their members ZUnlike political.

Chapter 9Interest GroupsThe Nature of Interest Groups

Private organizationstry to persuade public officials to respond to

their membersUnlike political parties

do not nominate candidates, focus on winning elections

Stimulate people to be involved in public affairs and to participate in politics

Problem influence disproportionate to size and

occasionally use unethical tactics

Role of Interest Groups

1st Amendment“the right of the people to

peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances”

Allows for creation of interest groups

Gun control? Prayer in public school? Increase in minimum wage? Abortion? Gay rights?

Political Parties and Interest GroupsBoth consist of people who unite

for a purpose…OverlapImportant differences

Nominations Political parties pick Interest groups influence

Primary focus Political parties who, noun Interest groups what, issue

Scope Range of public affairs

Interest Groups… Good or Bad

James MadisonThought factions were bad

Undo influence of the few over the many

How stop? Eliminate factions, eliminate

freedom Balance, many factions

Necessary evil

Positive attributes Stimulate interest in public affairs

Why is this interest important? Represent based on shared ideas not

geography Teachers Farmers

Provide the gov’t with info Employment, price levels,

Vehicles for political participation One mom vs MADD

Checks and Balances Keep tabs on public agencies

Compete Limit power of each other

Clean air act? Auto industry -vs- environmental

Negative Attributes Influence

Proportion to size? Dependant on how organized and

financed not size… Representation

Who and how many? The world will never know

Views Not all ways represent views of all

their members Normally driven by a small active few

Tactics Bribery, threats, violence abortion

Shapes and Sizes

Membership Thousands, millions, hand full

Foundation Economic interest

Business labor

Ideas Gay rights

Welfare Protections of certain groups

Veterans, seniors, homeless

Multiple Can belong to many groups

Groups based on Economic Interests: how people make their money

Part OneBusinessExamples

NAM: National Association of Manufacturers

Big businessChamber of Commerce

Smaller businessesBusiness Roundtable

150 chief executive officersTrade Associations

American trucking association, American Restaurant Association

Groups based on Economic Interests: how people make their money

Part TwoLabor

ExamplesAFL: American Federation of LaborFOP: Fraternal Order of Police

Chapters in each stateNot always see eye to eye with

National chapter

Groups based on Economic Interests: how people make their money

Part ThreeAgricultureExamples

National Grange Oldest, Most conservative

Focus on welfare of families North east and Mid Atlantic States

American Farm Bureau Largest, Most powerful

Midwest opposing gov’t regulation “Let us do our job”

National Farmers Union Strength from smaller less fortunate farmers

Dirty Farmers Upper Mid West and West

Groups based on Economic Interests: how people make their money

Part FourCertain professions Require extensive training and specialization

Medicine, law, teaching Examples

AMA: American Medical Association Doctors

ABA: American Bar Association Lawyers

NEA: National Education Association Teachers

True impact Why would these organizations have influence

upon public policies disproportionate to their size?

Groups based on Economic Interests: how people make their money

Part Five Promote Causes Welfare of Certain Groups

American Legion: vets (police action) Veterans of Foreign Wars: Vets NAACP: National Association for the Advancement

of Colored People Religious organizations

NCC: National Council of Churches protestants

ADL: Anti-Defamation League Jews

Public Interest Groups Unlike other groups focus on benefiting all

Americans Public Good, health

It is that time again….

ObjectivesAs you read pages 249-254 answer the

following questionsExplain the three major goals that Interests

Groups have in influencing public opinion.Describe how interest groups use

propaganda to persuade people to their point of view.

Analyze how interest groups try to influence political parties and elections.

Examine how lobbying brings group pressures to bear on the process of making public policy.

Group Work Casey, Kyle and Ryckewaert, Rickallen Chang Fatt, Amanda and Bonhomme, Stanley Cintron, Melanie and Cordero, Briana Cuevas, Rachel and Urrutia, Mayori Dundov, Nikolas and Vega-Ramirez, Alicia Elias, Anthony and Smith, Kyle Fernandez, Alexis and Greenberg, Kelsey Hughes, Jonathan and Candelaria, Jose Jean Pierre, Shirley and Kitt, Nicklette Johnson, Jelincie and Masten, Lequan Luciano, Angela and Rivera, Jordan Monaco, Sabrina and Ramkalawan, Rishi Mondestin, Velande and Speid, Stephen Shelton, Aaron and Murphy, Dustyn St Fort, Melinda and Holyfield, Frederick Maharaj, Joey and Mr. Frank

Each group will create a presentation on the following four points, two per student

Key Point: focus on the rubric that I provide you

Explain the three major goals that Interests Groups have in influencing public opinion.

Describe how interest groups use propaganda to persuade people to their point of view.

Analyze how interest groups try to influence political parties and elections.

Examine how lobbying brings group pressures to bear on the process of making public policy.