Interest Groups CP Government Chapter 9 WhatWho are
- Slides: 17
Interest Groups CP Government Chapter 9
What/Who are they? □ □ Definition-Private groups that try to influence politicians and public policy. Most interest groups form for economic reasons Some are geographically located They can share members
3 differences between Political Parties and IG’s 1. 2. 3. Parties nominate people for office—IG’s try to influence politicians once they are elected Parties need to have wide appeal to many issues—IG’s focus on a single issue. Politicians are accountable to the public —IG’s are not.
What’s Good □ □ Stimulate interest Widespread Help watchdog Focus on a single side of an issue What’s Bad □ □ Cannot tell size Can be too powerful Law breakers Interests do not benefit all
4 Major Types of Interest Groups □ □ BUSINESS LABOR AGRICULTURAL PROFESSIONAL
Business □ □ Represent a particular company (IBM) or industry (the steel industry) Lobby the government to get policies to favor their interests Ex—NAM, Chamber of Commerce Can start their own interest group called a trade association Ex-Banks, trucking co’s
Labor □ □ □ For blue and white collar workers. Mostly unions that try to help improve working conditions or wages Have lost membership and power over the years Ex-AFL-CIO, UMW
Agriculture Represent farmers and related industries. □ The most influential IG, even though about 2% of the population farms. □ Ex-National Grange AFBF, ADFA □
Professional □ □ □ People with advanced degrees Fastest growing EX-AMA ABA NEA
Public Interest Groups □ □ Their causes will generally help many people. Ex-Clean air will help a city but will also help the people around the city.
MINOR GROUPS □ □ Promote causes—ACLU, League of Women’s Voters Promote welfare of certain groups— NAACP, AARP Religious groups—each religion will try to influence the government on their issues Ex=Gun control, prohibition, voting, women’s rights, veterans, wildlife
4 Goals of Interest Groups 1. 2. 3. 4. Influence the public opinion Influence elections Influence politicians Get whole party to see your viewpoint
How do they do it? Lobbyists 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Former politicians to persuade Honest/credible Registered Research/write laws for Congress Money/PAC’s
How do they do it? Propaganda/Media Card stacking Name calling Bandwagon □ □ □ Glittering generalities Symbols Testimonials
How do they do it? 1. Get politicians elected that already hold your viewpoint 2. Use grass roots propaganda/voters 3. Publicize the politician -Good /Bad -Grades/Report Card -Voting History 4. Influence party leaders/entire party
Iron Triangles
- Mikael ferm
- For or against
- Chapter 9 section 2 types of interest groups
- How are ethnic groups and religious groups related
- Free rider problem interest groups
- The nature of interest groups
- A virtue of interest groups is that
- Linkage institutions examples
- Proliferation of interest groups
- State two characteristics of interest groups
- Interest groups vs social movements
- Are interest groups linkage institutions
- Interest groups
- Federalist 10 interest groups
- What are interest groups
- Fundamental goal of interest groups
- Real vs nominal interest rate
- Nominal interest rate