Interest Groups Interest Groups N vs Lobbying V
Interest Groups
Interest Groups (N) vs Lobbying (V) • Interest Group: an organization of people who share a common interest and work together to protect and promote that interest by influencing the government. • Lobbying is the process through which individuals and groups articulate their interests and press them upon governmental decision makers in order to influence the determination of PUBLIC POLICY.
The Role of Interest Groups • Seek to influence the making and content of public policy • The first amendment guarantees the right to assemble • Interest groups are made up of people who unite for some political purpose.
Lobbying • It is activities by which a group pressures legislators, the legislative process, and all aspects of the publicpolicy-making process. • Lobbyists try to persuade legislators to share their points of view. • Direct Lobbying vs Grassroots Lobbying • Their effectiveness depends on how well they know governmental procedures and how experienced they are in being politely persuasive.
Difference between political parties and interest groups: • Interest groups do not nominate candidates for public office. • Primarily concerned with controlling or influencing the policies of government • Concentrate on the issues that most directly affect its members • Private organizations
Types of Interest Groups ◆Business ◆Trade Associations ◆Labor Groups ◆Agricultural Groups ◆Professional Groups ◆Public Interest Groups
The Valuable Functions (Pros) of Interest groups: • Stimulate interest in public affairs. • Citizens can take action • Provide useful, specialized, and detailed information to the government. • Make sure politicians perform their tasks in responsible and effective ways. • Speeds up government process
Criticisms (Cons) of Interest Groups: • Many groups do not represent the views of the people they claim to be representing. • Interest groups are very demanding. • Often, these groups will use tactics such as bribery or threats of revenge to achieve their goal. • Can lead to government corruption
Gov Schedule Mon 11/18 = Legislative Branch Review Tues 11/19 = Review Activity Wed 11/20 = Legislative Branch Quiz
- Slides: 9