INTEREST GROUPS
What is an interest group? What are
some examples of interest groups?
What is the difference between an
interest group and a political party?
Pluralism/Hyperpluralism
Why do individuals join groups?
INTEREST GROUPS
In Federalist Paper #10-James Madison penned interest groups as factions. He said:
By a faction, I understand a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority
or a minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common
impulse of passion, or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the
permanent and aggregate interests of the community.
There are two methods of curing the mischiefs of faction: the one, by removing its
causes; the other, by controlling its effects.
There are again two methods of removing the causes of faction: the one, by
destroying the liberty which is essential to its existence; the other, by giving to
every citizen the same opinions, the same passions, and the same interests.
INTEREST GROUPS
• An interest group is an organization
whose members share common concerns,
and try to influence government policies
that impact those concerns.
• An interest group is an organization
whose members share common concerns,
and try to influence government policies
that impact those concerns.
INTEREST GROUPS
How do we control Interest Groups?
List ways:
Read article
INTEREST GROUPS
Techniques
Resources
In what areas are interest groups most powerful?
Specific examples:
AARP
NAACP
Sierra Club
AFL-CIO
INTEREST GROUPS- TECHNIQUES

Lobbying government. Organized interests hire representatives to
advocate on behalf of the group's interests. Lobbying activities include
contacting members of Congress and the executive branch to disseminate
information about the positive or adverse effects of proposed legislation.
* Engaging in election activities. Interests may attempt to influence elections
in order to help get people who support their issues elected or reelected.
Electioneering techniques include giving money to candidates, endorsing
candidates or issues, and conducting grassroots activities such as get-outthe-vote drives.
* Educating various publics. Interest groups work hard to educate the public
at large, government officials, their own members, and potential interest
group members.
INTEREST GROUPS- TECHNIQUES
* Mobilizing various publics. To influence policy-making, many groups rely
on the efforts of people who are motivated to act on behalf of their
issues and causes. So-called grassroots activities might include writing
letters, making phone calls, contacting policy-makers, and demonstrating.
Many interest groups in society are those focused on advancing their
members' economic interests. Some have a large membership base, while
others represent only a few members.
Trade associations, for example, represent one segment of the economy
(e.g., defense contractors, trial lawyers) but often take a stand on a
variety of policy matters. Because their members have a direct economic
incentive to support the group's actions, economic interest groups tend
to be well funded and very professional.
INTEREST GROUPS- TECHNIQUES

Economic interest groups often combine the services of
professional lobbyists with other efforts to help their members.
They may help write letters, place phone calls, meet with
decision makers, and, in the case of large membership
organizations such as unions, engage in demonstrations directed
at decision makers.
 Citizen action groups, also known as public interest groups, are
another type of enduring interest group. Some are generally
concerned with a broad range of issues that affect the public at
large, such as social or environmental issues.
PAC’S
What is a Political Action Committee (PAC)?
Trace the origin and development of PACs.
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1974
-Federal Election Commission/full disclosure
-No foreign contributions
-soft money (vs. hard money)
-bundling
-impact on incumbents
PAC’S
Limitations on PACs and individual contributions
Public Financing/Presidential Races
Buckley v. Valeo (1976)
McCain Feingold
527s
Issue Ads
McConnel vs. the FEC (2003)
Debate: Money in politics hinders democracy vs. Money in politics helps democracy
POLITICAL PARTIES
What is a political party?
What are the functions of parties?
Describe the organization of the two major parties.
Compare two party systems to multiparty systems.
How has the power of the political party declined in the
US?
POLITICAL PARTIES
Realignment – define
Identify and describe four realigning
periods in US political history
Identify the major voting coalitions of the
major parties today.
THIRD PARTIES
What is a “third party”?
Cite examples of third parties
Identify and describe major challenges to
third party success in the United States
today
POLITICAL PARTIES
Role of the Party in Presidential Elections
Define: plurality election
Define: majority election
Define: winner take all election
Define primary, caucus, convention. What are
some of the different types of primaries?