Interest Groups

Interest GroupsAn interest group is an organized

group that tries to influence public policy.

Interest groups provide an avenue for citizen participation in politics.

Kinds of Interest Groups

★Public Interest Groups - AARP★Economic Interest Groups - U.S.

Chamber of Commerce★Governmental Units - State/Local

Government★Political Action Committees

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Characteristics of Selected Interest Groups

What Interest Groups Do

★Increase representation and participation in American politics.

★Increase public awareness about important issues.

★Help frame the public agenda.★Engage in lobbying and election

activities.

LobbyingLobbying - the activities of a group or

organization that seek to persuade political leaders to support the group’s position.

the term “lobbying” refers to a situation where individuals meet elected officials in the lobbies of government buildings to try to persuade them about specific issues.

Who is Lobbied?Congress - research, money, or

testimony is provided by lobbyists to Congress.

Executive Branch - President, White House staff and bureaucracy are lobbied.

Courts - through sponsorship of lawsuits or filing of amicus curiae briefs.

Effective Lobbyists

Many of the most effective lobbyists are former members of Congress.

Election Activities of Interest Groups

★Candidate recruitment and endorsements.

★Getting out the vote.★Rating the candidates or office

holders.★Campaign contributions through

PACs.★Signing pledges.

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United States House of Representatives candidates

Taxpayer Protection PledgeI, _______________, pledge to the taxpayers of the _____ district of the state of__________, and to the American people that I will:ONE, oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses; andTWO, oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates._________________________________________ Signature

_________________________________________ Date

_________________________________________ Witness

_________________________________________ WitnessPledges must be signed, dated, witnessed and returned to:AMERICANS FOR TAX REFORM 722 12th Street, WASHINGTON, DC 20005PHONE (202) 785-0266 FAX (202) 330-5224

Americans for Tax Reform Pledge

Interest Groups ABC Videos Power Parties in

Washington.http://portal.mypearson.com/

mypearson-login.jsp?logoutAction=render

Interest Groups

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/283053-2

What do interest groups represent?Who is a lobbyist?What is traded between lobbyists and

elected officials?

Interest GroupsWhat do interest groups represent?

•Everything.Who is a lobbyist?

•We all are.

Interest GroupsWhat is traded between lobbyists and

elected officials?• Lobbyists provide

- votes of interest group members- money for political campaigns- information- testimony at congressional hearings

- draft legislation• Elected officials provide

- votes supporting lobbyist’s point of view

How do Interest Groups Provide Money for Election

Campaigns?

★Political Action Committees (PAC)•the political arm of interest groups

(and corporations).•allowed by federal laws governing

campaign financing to raise funds and make campaign contributions to elected officials.

Some Interest Groups

http://www.aarp.org/http://www.lwv.org/Elections/

index.htmlhttp://home.nra.org/#/homehttp://www.sierraclub.org/

The Dark Side of Interest Groups

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/moyersonamerica/capitol/index.html

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/july-dec10/delay_11-25.html

In 2006 Jack Abramoff pled guilty to conspiracy, fraud, and tax evasion.

Regulating Interest Groups and Lobbyists

Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007• Bans gifts and honoraria to members of

Congress and their staffs • tougher disclosure requirements• longer time limits on moving from the

federal government to the private lobbying sector.

Political Parties

Political Parties

Political parties are not mentioned in the Constitution.

Political parties seek to gain and exercise power through the electoral process.

Functions of the Party System

Mobilize support and build coalitions.

Encourage stability in the political system.

Provide accountability for public policy.

Run candidates for office.Formulate policy through a national

party platform.

Third PartiesRooted in sectionalism, economic

protest, single issues, and charismatic personalities.

Do best when there is little trust in other parties.

Can have success in putting issues on the agenda.

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Third PartiesLibertarian Party wants to reduce the

size and cost of government and eliminate laws which control people’s personal choices.

Reform Party in 1992 and 1996 wanted an amendment requiring a balanced budget.

Party OrganizationNational committees - hold

conventions every 4 years to:•nominate presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

•formulate a party platform. A party platform represents the official party position on various issues.

Party Organization

State committees.County committees.Precincts - smallest level of the party

organization and comprised of the foot soldiers for the party.

Party Organization

Back

Party Platforms

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Political Parties• Based on the preceding party

platforms...which political party is the best fit with your political beliefs?

Party AffiliationParty identification shapes political

worldview.Wealthy, white-collar workers,

married, and evangelicals are more likely Republican.

Working class, women, minorities, singles, unions, and advanced degrees are more Democratic.

The single greatest influence on young citizens’ initial party identification is their parents.

Party Identification by Group