Interest Groups offer Americans an
important means of influencing U.S.
public policy. They are formed
around many issues, such as public
interest, social issues and economics.
Who do Interest Groups Influence?
Federal level
Influences public
policy goals
State level
Interest Group
Influences
actions taken by
political leaders
Local level
What is the difference between
Interest Groups and Political Parties?
Political
Parties
• Care mostly about who
takes part in government
Interest
Groups
• Care mostly about what
the government does –
especially on select issues
Pros
Cons
Stimulate interest in public affairs
and issues that concern the people
at large
Critics say they have more influence than they
deserve based on the worth of their causes or
the number of people they represent
Offer a chance for people to
participate in politics and connect
with others who share their views
Difficult to tell exactly how many people
an interest group represents
Provide useful information to the
government leaders who may not be
familiar with all the issues
Some interest groups do not represent the
views of all the people they claim to
represent
Since they compete with each other,
they limit extremes
Interest groups can draw too much
attention to an issue with aggressive
behavior, thus causing politicians to cater
to special interests
Keeps close tabs on government
What are the different types of Interest Groups?
Many Americans belong to several organizations
that meet the definition of an interest group
Trade
Associations
Interest groups
formed by one
segment of the
business
community. Ex.
Banking Industry
Labor
Unions
Political
Economic and
Social Cause
Groups
Religious
Interest
Groups
Public
Interest
Groups
Work for the
Interest groups
“public good” –
whose members
try to represent
are workers who Promote groups Promote certain
religious interests all the people in
hold similar jobs
like veterans,
the country on
or work in the taxpayers, elderly, like Right to Life,
issues that affect
Jewish
same industry.
protection of the
Defamation
us all like voting
Ex. Police
environment
League
rights, consumer
Officers, Teachers
rights, fresh
water
Purpose
Example
Promote
business
American
Bankers
Association
Organize
Labor
Fraternal
Order of
Police
Promote
professions
American
Medical
Association
Promote
social
programs
Veterans of
Foreign Wars
For the
public good
League of
Women
Voters
How do Interest Groups Work?
Propaganda
The technique of
persuasion aimed at
influencing
behaviors to create
certain beliefs
These beliefs may be
true, false or partly
true
Use of Propaganda
• Goal is to create a particular belief.
• Begins with a conclusion and uses information to support the
conclusion.
• Ignores information to disprove conclusion.
• Often attacks other beliefs through name-calling or by
discrediting other viewpoints by presenting only one side of
the argument (card-stacking)
• Mud Slinging – making other candidate look bad
• Uses symbols and labels to produce results
– “American”, “fair”, “just”
– Testimonials – TV stars and athletes
Do Now
The Constitution guarantees people the right to
peaceably assemble, and to petition the
government for the redress of grievances.
That is the basic goal of interest groups – to
address the government for what they
perceive as grievances.
Can you think of an interest group TODAY that is
assembling to address the government for
what they believe is wrong?
How do Interest Groups Impact
Political Parties?
What are PAC’s?
PAC’S
Single Interest
Groups that
concentrate their
efforts on one issue
They work for or
against a candidate
based only on his
or her stand on that
one issue
What do PACS do?
• Raise money from special interest
constituents and donate hard and
soft money to political parties
and candidates.
What do Lobbyists do?
• Lobbyists provide interest groups with
specialists to advance their causes and
influence policy making
• Lobbying is a protected activity under the U.S.
Constitution that guarantees rights to free
speech, assembly, and petition to
government. Lobbying is a regulated industry
Direct Methods:
• Personal contact with legislators most effective
• Providing expertise to legislators or other government
official
• Offer “expert” testimony before congressional
committees for or against proposed legislation
• Assisting legislators or bureaucrats in drafting
legislation
• Follow up: legislation carried out
• Election Support
–
–
–
–
–
Can take part in the political parties campaign
Members can run for office
Urge members to vote for candidate
Threaten withdrawal of their votes
Provide money through PAC’s
Indirect Methods:
• Using public opinion. If the public favors a
group’s ideas, a legislator is more likely to
listen
• Mobilizing constituents; write letters or make
calls to show support of opposition
• Brining lawsuits
• Influencing Judicial Appointments
• Staging Demonstrations
Regulations
• 1946: Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act –
lobbyists must register with the House and
Senate
• Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995: all individuals
who seek influence any member of Congress
must disclose basic personal information about
themselves, their lobbying activities, and their
clients.
• States also regulate the activities of lobbyists
How are Interest Groups different
from Public Opinion?
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•
•
•
•
Interest groups are policy specialists
Focus on only a handful of key policies
More tightly organized
Financed through dues and contributions
Try to influence the outcome of elections, but
do not compete for public office
What did we learn?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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Interest groups represent the many “publics” in society
They DON’T nominate candidates like parties
They DO influence officeholders
They can be economic, occupational, environmental, public good
and minority issues
Lobbyists and PAC’S are the most criticized part of political process
A lot of money is spent on getting attention to the issues these
groups represent.
Interest groups have aroused suspicion as factions since the
beginning of this country
They do whatever they can to influence candidates for their group
PAC’S raise money to help influence issues
Lobbyists provide interest groups with specialists to advance their
causes and influence policy making
Soft Money can provide candidates with a lot of money because it
is often overlooked – recent regulation limits the amount of soft
money allowed.
Open Secrets.org
• OpenSecrets.org is your nonpartisan guide to
money’s influence on U.S. elections and public
policy. Whether you’re a voter, journalist,
activist, student or interested citizen, use our
free site to shine light on your government.
Count cash and make change.