Interest Groups and Public Opinion Interest Group Group
Interest Groups and Public Opinion
Interest Group � Group of people who share common goals and organize to influence government • Positives? • Negatives? � Bridge the gap between government and its people � Usually tied with a political party (NRARepublican Party) � Strong political Power – strength in numbers
Different than a Political Party �Interest groups do not try to meet the needs of numerous groups, they focus on one or two ideas. �Interest groups do not run for election, but they do have power to persuade elections. �Mypoliscilab video
Leadership �Role of leader to unify and strengthen its group � Keep people informed �Speakers to the media �Raise money, make financial decisions
Types of Interest Groups �Business (National Association of Manufacturers) �Labor (Union Auto Workers) �Agricultural (National Farmers Union) �Professional Associations (American Bar Association) �Environmental (Sierra Club; National Wildlife Federation) �Public Interest
Power – Affecting Public Policy � Interest groups try to influence government policy by making direct contact with law makers- this is known as Lobbying • People who do this work are called Lobbyists � Under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 lobbyists must register with Congress and make semiannual reports to the clerk disclosing what issues they have addressed, agencies they have contacted, and how much money they have been paid
Affecting Public Policy �Lobbyist provide lawmakers with detailed reports, statistics, pamphlets, etc. . to educate and persuade them �Lobbyists are the “experts” �Lobbyist provide testimony to Congress when debating bills �Congressman cannot receive any gift of more than $50, and have $100 limit from any one source over a years time �WARNING – Lobbyists are biased!!!
Seeking Support from the Public �Media Campaigns – Use of internet, TV, radio, newspapers, magazines
Political Action Committees �Interest groups largely support and largely fund PAC’s �PAC ‘s are set up and designed to collect money from supporters and spend that money to get someone elected to office. �PAC’s can only directly give $5, 000 to candidate, but have no limit on spending to help that candidate win an election.
Pac’s-Strategies of Influence �Use money to get access to lawmakers • Promise campaign support for legislation that favor their policies �Directly Influence Elections • Indirectly funding campaigns • Spend millions of dollars in campaign advertising via the Internet – Newspapers- Magazines. Television
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