Interest Groups Types of Interest Groups Interest Groups

Interest Groups Types of Interest Groups

Interest Groups A-Z • There are thousands of interest groups in the U. S. at all levels of society. • Size = some have millions others only a handful • Majority of IG are based on promoting or protecting economic interest. • Some people may belong to one and not even know it.

Business Groups • Business IG ask government to enact policies that promote and protect their economic interest. • Trade Associations represent segments of the business community: – Oil – Gas – Pharmaceuticals

Labor Unions • Labor Unions push for government policies that benefit their members. – AFL-CIO is largest labor union; 56 unions with 10 million members • Decline of American mfg. has weakened labor unions. – Membership has dropped so looking to government workers and service workers to unionize • Organized labor is often united but can be divided by regional and economic differences

Changing State of Labor • Union membership has declined as the economy shifted from manufacturing to service industries. • Voice of unions remains strong politically in education, training, and library occupations. • Unions have become increasingly diverse demographically.

Agricultural Groups • Agricultural groups still have great influence on government farm policy. • The Farm Bureau and National Farmers Union are major groups. • Organized around different commodities – – Beef Milk Eggs Wheat

Professional Associations • Professional Associations represent highly trained/licensed professionals • Examples – doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, etc. • Not all members of a profession belong to the IGs

Disagreements • Some industry IG compete for customers in the same market. • Agricultural producers in different states compete for market share through IG

Disagreements • Economic IGs of all types compete for federal aid or tax breaks. • Government regulation may help members of one business group compete while hurting members of other groups.

Issue-Oriented Groups • Issue IG promote a cause or and idea rather than economics. • There are many groups working for and against causes across the political spectrum. – Supporting & opposing • Abortion • Gun control • Conservation issues

Think Tanks • Research institutes that promote their policy goals in the media • Conservative – Cato Institute – Heritage Foundation • Centrist – American Enterprise Institute – Brookings Institute

Other Interest Groups • IG for specific segments of society: – Veterans Groups • American Legion • Veterans of Foreign Wars – Ethnic • NAACP • Mexican Legal Defense Fund – Religious Groups that seek to shape government policy

International Interest • • Amnesty International Red Cross Human Rights Watch Groups around current issues: – Save Darfur Coalition – Syria – Israel • Urge United States and United Nations to take action to help.

What are the different types of interest groups at work in American society? • Economic IG – business, labor unions, agriculture & professional organizations • Other IG represent specific issues or segments of society • Public IG have the broadest focus, pursuing general public issues SUMMARY