Chapter 9
Interest Groups
Section 1—The Nature of
Interest Groups
• Objectives:
– Describe the role of interest groups in
influencing public policy.
– Compare and contrast political parties
and interest groups.
– Explain why people see interest groups
as both good and bad for American
politics.
Section 1—The Nature of
Interest Groups
• Why It Matters:
– Aware of it or not, you almost certainly
belong to at least one interest group
today. And, knowingly or not, you will
join several more of these groups over
coming years.
Section 1—The Nature of
Interest Groups
• Political Dictionary:
– Public Policy
– Public Affairs
Section 1—The Nature of
Interest Groups
• The Role of Interest Groups
– Pressure groups, special interest,
organized interest. . .etc.
– Leagues, clubs, federations, unions,
committees, associations, etc.
– Lord Byron: “Where the body is, there
will the vultures be gathered.”
Section 1—The Nature of
Interest Groups
• Political Parties and Interest Groups
– Parties nominate candidates, interest
groups do not
– Parties are interested in winning
elections, interest groups in issues or
policy.
– Parties have wide interests, interest
groups narrow
Section 1—The Nature of
Interest Groups
• Interest Groups: Good or Bad?
– Two Early Views
• James Madison warned against “factions”
• Alexis de Tocqueville—saw them as good
Section 1—The Nature of
Interest Groups
– Valuable Functions of Interest Groups
• Stimulate interest in public affairs
• Represent shared interests and not
geography
• Provide useful information
• Vehicles for political participation
• Provide checks and balances
• Competing interests limit excesses in
government policy
Section 1—The Nature of
Interest Groups
– Criticisms
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Influence beyond their size
Disguise for who they really represent
Often dominated by a vocal minority
Shady tactics—bribery, threats, etc.
Section 2—Types of
Interest Groups
• Objectives:
– Explain how the American tradition of joining
organizations has resulted in a wide range of
interest groups.
– Describe four categories of groups based on
economic interests.
– Outline the reasons why other interest groups
have been created.
– Identify the purpose of public-interest groups.
Section 2—Types of
Interest Groups
• Why It Matters:
– America is “a nation of joiners”—
including joiners of interest groups.
Some of these groups are based on
economic interests, some on other
issues. Some are public-interest groups,
which seek to benefit Americans.
Section 2—Types of
Interest Groups
• Political Dictionary:
– Trade Association
– Labor Union
– Public-Interest Group
Section 2—Types of
Interest Groups
• An American Tradition
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Old-new
Big-small
Structured-open
Wealthy-poor
Cause or idea
Most are economic
We belong to “many” groups
Section 2—Types of
Interest Groups
• Groups Based on Economic Interests
– Business Groups
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NAM
Chamber of Commerce
Business Roundtable
Trade Associations
Section 2—Types of
Interest Groups
• Groups Based on Economic Interests
(cont).
– Labor Unions
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AFL-CIO
Truckers
Police, Firemen, etc.
Public Unions
Section 2—Types of
Interest Groups
• Groups Based on Economic Interests
(cont.)
– Agricultural Groups
• National Grange
• American Farm Bureau
• National Farmers Union
– Professional Groups
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American Medical Association
National Education Association
American Bar Association
Many others. . .
Section 2—Types of
Interest Groups
• Other Interest Groups
– Groups That Promote Causes
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American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
National Women’s Caucus
Audubon Society
Many others . . .
Section 2—Types of
Interest Groups
• Other Interest Groups (cont.)
– Organizations That Promote the
Welfare of Certain Groups
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American Legion/VFW
AARP
NAACP
Many others . . .
Section 2—Types of
Interest Groups
• Other Interest Groups (cont.)
– Religious Organizations
• National Council of Churches
• American Jewish Congress
• Many others . . .
• Public-Interest Groups
– League of Women Voters, Common Cause, Ralph
Nader’s Group
– Many others . . .
Section 3—Interest
Groups at Work
• Objectives:
– Explain interest groups’ three major goals 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.
Section 3—Interest
Groups at Work
• Why It Matters:
– Flip through a newspaper or surf
television or the Internet and you will no
doubt see examples of interest groups
at work—that is, using propaganda aimed
at influencing public attitudes. Interest
groups also work through political action
committees and lobbyists to influence
political parties and public policy.
Section 3—Interest
Groups at Work
• Political Dictionary:
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Propaganda
Single-interest group
Lobbying
Grass roots
Section 3—Interest
Groups at Work
• Influencing Public Opinion
– To supply needed information about a
topic or cause
– To build a positive image for the group
– To promote a particular policy
Section 3—Interest
Groups at Work
• Propaganda
– Its goal is to create a particular belief—
it may be true or false
– Begins with a conclusion—not objective
– Glittering generalities
– Testimonials
Section 3—Interest
Groups at Work
• Influencing Parties and Elections
– Candidate support or denial of support
– PACS—single-interest groups
• Lobbying
– 20,000 in Washington
– From ALL sectors of society
Section 3—Interest
Groups at Work
• Lobbying (cont.)
– Lobbyists at Work
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Legislative counsel
Many former representatives
Provide information
Stimulate grass-roots pressure
Rate the representatives
Campaign contributions
Never give up . . .
Section 3—Interest
Groups at Work
• Lobbying (cont.)
– Lobby Regulation
• Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995
– Registration
– “Principal Purpose”
Section 3—Interest
Groups at Work
Section 3—Interest
Groups at Work
Section 3—Interest
Groups at Work