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 ______________.
Slide 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
Slide 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
Slide 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.
Slide 6
Governmental Units State and local governments ________ federal
government for funds Want their share of _________ and
earmarks
Slide 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
Slide 8
Incentives to Join __________ incentives- goal/purpose of the
organization itself This group also benefits non- membersthese
people are called _______________________. Public Interest groups-
usually created to benefit those who are not represented by
interest groups.
Slide 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.
Slide 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.
Slide 11
Direct mail techniques 1) teaser on envelope 2) letter arouses
_______________ 3) famous-name endorsement 4)
______________________ of letter
Slide 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.
Slide 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
Slide 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
Slide 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.
Slide 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.
Slide 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 __________.
Slide 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
_________________.
Slide 19
Who gets the money? ___________ get the most PAC money. Labor
PACS give almost exclusively to _______________. Business PACS are
__________. Democrats usually receive more _____ money.
Slide 20
Revolving Door This term refers to those who work for the
____________ and then PACS and vice versa. Can sometimes lead to
______________.
Slide 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.
Slide 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 ___________.
