Name:
Group members:
Interest Group Research Project: What do Interest Groups Do? What role do they
play in our democracy?
Direct Lobbying
Lobbying is the process of persuading public officials to take actions favorable to a given organized group.
Lobbyists are usually paid employees or hired hands for an interest group. They have access to public
officials and present the concerns, agenda, and needs of the interest group. Access is the most important
advantage that lobbyists have over ordinary people. Lobbyists build up rapport with public officials over
years, often decades. Having the elected official as a college buddy, former business associate, or family
member certainly helps.
Having Congress take no action can be a successful strategy for an interest group. Thus, taking no action is
in effect taking an action. It is to keep things as they are. Lobbying takes place with all branches of
government, on federal, state, and local levels.
Lobbying with the judicial branch of government is called “lobbying by litigation.”
Indirect Lobbying
Electioneering is the process of helping a public official get re-elected. Giving money to some campaign
is the most effective way in which interest groups can reward politicians who have voted favorably on
that interest group's policy agenda.
Propagandizing is the effort by an interest group to persuade the general public that the interest group is
protecting the general interest in its policy agenda. As long as a group, doctors for example, have a
favorable image with the general public, it is difficult to pass legislation that seems to be harmful to that
group.
You will sign up with me on my list, and I’d like to make sure that we address ALL of
the bolded interest groups above, but once we can do that, other IGs can be grabbed. Feel
free to find another one not listed-these are just a starting place. 3-4 people per group.
Types of Organized Interest Groups
Economic Groups
Farm Groups
National Farm Bureau Federation
National Grange
National Farmers Union
National Cattlemen's Association
Business Groups
National Chamber of Commerce
National Federation of Independent Business
National Association of Manufacturers
Business Roundtable
Committee on Economic Development
American Petroleum Institute
Labor Groups
American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial
Organizations (AFL-CIO)
United Automobile Workers Union (UAW)
American Federation of State and Municipal Employees (AFSME)
American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
National Education Association (NEA)
Teamsters Union
Professional Associations
American Medical Association
American Bar Association
Association of Trial Lawyers of America
National Association of Realtors
Non-Economic Groups
 Religious-Christian Coalition, Council on American-Islamic Relations
Ethnic/National Origin/Racial-National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People
Veterans-Veterans of Foreign Wars
Women-National Organization of Women, Emily’s List
Environmentalists-Sierra Club, Environmental Defense Fund, National
Resources Defense Fund, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
Fraternal
Single-Issue Interest Groups
National Rifle Association, Handgun Control, Inc.
National Right to Life Committee
Why this matters:
For current information (2013/2014 election cycle), use OpenSecrets.org. Which
candidates is the computer industry giving to? What are the patterns in tobacco
contributions over the past 10 years? Where is the political money coming from within
the agribusiness industries? We can see:

Totals: A summary of political giving dating back to 1990 election cycle,
including breakdowns by type of contribution and political party

Top contributors: A list of organizations (usually U.S. companies) that have
given the most from that industry through their employees and political action
committees
Top recipients: A list of candidates that have received the most from a particular
industry

https://www.opensecrets.org/industries/
What do you notice? What questions do you have from the chart?
Researching Interest Groups
The goal of this research is to teach others about an IG that you are personally interested
to learn more about. As a class, we will better understand some of the power players, and
what role they play in convincing elites to listen.
Model Outline
Title: Name of the Organization
Format-Prezi or PP
I: General Information
1.
2.
3.
4.
Name of Organization
When Founded
Purpose of Organization
Membership
a. who are members (individuals or other organizations or both?)
b. how many members
c. what are the membership dues per year
5. Budget of the Organization
_____/7 points possible
II: Issues
1. Current Issues of Concern Before Congress
2. Recent Legislative Victories
3. Recent Legislative Defeats
_____/3 points possible
III: Lobbying and Money
1. Name of Your Organization's Political Action Committee
2. How much Money Do they Raise and How
3. Who gets their Campaign Contributions? What endorsements has it made? *If
your group is absolutely neutral, say so. This part of the assignment is only for groups
that do NOT endorse candidates. Many interest groups are neutral. Discuss the issues
that your group is concerned with and then, for the points in this section, you will find
and summarize a current event article from the past six months relevant to your IG.
Show how it is trying to influence public policy.
a. Money given to Republicans
b. Money given to Democrats
c. What Standing Committees of Congress are those who get money on?
d. Is it involved in litigation? Give details.
______/8 points possible
4. Who is their chief lobbyist? Any revolving door? (See opensecrets.org)
_____/2 points possible
5. Assess your group-Strengths and weaknesses? How effective is it in achieving its
agenda? Use evidence and explain your ideas.
_____/5 points possible
6.
Bibliography: Do at least 5 entries. Use easybib!
_____/5 points possible
_____/30 TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS