INTEREST GROUPS. Why are interest groups so common? Many kinds of ______________ in the country mean that there are many different interests. Constitution.

INTEREST GROUPS

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 ______________.

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

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

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.

Governmental Units• State and local governments ________

federal government for funds

• Want their share of _________ and earmarks

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

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.

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.

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.

Direct mail techniques

• 1) teaser on envelope

• 2) letter arouses _______________

• 3) famous-name endorsement

• 4) ______________________ of letter

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.

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

Lobbyingpersuading 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

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.

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.

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 __________.

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

_________________.

Who gets the money?

• ___________ get the most PAC money.

• Labor PACS give almost exclusively to _______________.

• Business PACS are __________.

• Democrats usually receive more _____ money.

Revolving Door

• This term refers to those who work for the ____________ and then PACS and vice versa.

• Can sometimes lead to ______________.

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.

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 ___________.