3 5 Introduction to Interest Groups Big Idea

3 -5: Introduction to Interest Groups

Big Idea: Competing Policy-Making Interests Enduring Understanding: Interest groups provide opportunities for participation and influence how people relate to government and policymakers. Learning Objective: Explain the benefits and potential problems of interest-group influence on elections and policymaking.

Overview § Interest Group § Organization whose members share policy views on specific issues § Operate at every level of government § Attempt to influence public policy to their benefit -Typically through money

Overview § As a Linkage Institution § Express members’ preferences to government § Convey policy information to members § Raise and spend money to influence policymakers

Difference from Political Parties § Politicians § Parties -seek to gain power § Interest Groups -seek to influence policies -support sympathetic candidates

Difference from Political Parties § Issues § Parties -generalists -appeal to wide range of voters § Interest Groups -specific issues that affect their members -better able to articulate clear policy positions

Difference from Political Parties § Accountability § Parties -elections make them accountable to the public § Interest Groups -private organizations only accountable to their members

Growth of Interest Groups § Prevalence § Began as business and labor organizations § Now include environmental, consumer, and political groups § Multi-trillion dollar U. S. budget means most organizations want representation and influence over how money is spent and laws are enacted