On a clean sheet of paper…

list all organizations that you and your family members are a part of.

Interest Groups

Any organization that seeks to INFLUENCE public policy.

Three Types of Interest Groups

1. Single – Issue 2. Social Action 3. Economic

Single Issue Interest Groups-(5)

National Rifle Association- NRA

2nd

Amendment

Handgun Control Inc. Gun Regulation

MADD

Right-to-Life

National Abortion Rights

Social Action Interest Groups (4)

NOW-National Organization of Women

Sierra Club- Protection of Wildlife ACLU- Amer. Civil

Liberties Union-Protect 1st

Amendment Rights

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People NAACP- Equality

Economic Interest Groups (3)

Labor Unions AFL-CIO-Rights

of skilled and unskilled

workers.

Chamber of Commerce

Economic Interest Groups Professional

Associations American Medical

Association-AMA American Bar

Association-ABAProtect

Lawyers

Agriculture National Grange

Functions of Interest Groups

Functions PROVIDE INFORMATION to

legislators and the public (most significant role)

EX) AAA provides highway death figures when the speed limit is increased

INFLUENCE PUBLIC POLICY

Tactics of Interest Groups

Tactics hold rallies stir/start legislation Lobbying raise money $$ for candidates/parties use persuasive propaganda

What is Lobbying??

Lobbying: interest group representatives speak DIRECTLY with lawmakers to influence them

Lobbyists have tremendous power Origin: British reps once crowded into

the lobbies outside legislative chambers of Parliament to speak with lawmakers

Types of Lobbying

“grassroots” A movement started and carried out

by people at a local level, not by professionals

EX) petitions, protests, letters – MADD Why effective?

Types of Lobbying

“PROFESSIONAL LOBBYISTS” Companies hire professional to speak

to officials (Sydney Allen Wade- Movie)

EX) Tobacco companies hire people to persuade officials to oppose laws damaging to the tobacco industry.

Types of Lobbying “ASTROTURF”

What is astroturf??? So, what do you think “astroturf lobbying” is? A lobbying movement set up by big $$

(usually big business) to have the appearance of a grassroots movement

EX) “Big Tobacco” sends out letters with self-addressed envelopes to people with the hope that they will sign their names to the letter and mail it back

Anti-Astroturfing Code of Ethics Kami Huyse proposes an anti-astroturfing code of ethics

and asks for input: I will not fabricate a public concern by paying or

coercing individuals to falsely act as concerned citizens. I will only seek to help give voice to those who already hold an existing concern and/or provide education to stakeholders that might be affected by a particular issue.

When supporting grassroots efforts, I will ensure that I am transparent in all my actions and clearly and publicly state what actions I am taking and which organization or client I represent.

I will never knowingly distort of falsify information to help my client/interest achieve a strategic/emotional advantage in a public debate.

I will encourage all grassroots supporters to be open and honest in all of their communications, just as I will be open and honest in mine.

How do interest groups raise money $$$ ??? “PAC’s”

PAC = Political Action Committee Ex) VOTE-COPE (NY teachers union PAC); EMILY’s

List (support female candidates) set up by interest groups to RAISE MONEY

$$$$$ for candidates and parties Individual Campaign contributions are limited

to $2,300 per election, but PAC’s can give $5,000 to a candidate or $15,000 to a party

PAC’s can also run their own “issue ads” on TV

Opensecrets.org

“Hard” $ vs “Soft” $ The limited $2,300 per election

amount is called “HARD” MONEY and goes directly to the candidate running for office

Candidates can use this $ to run ads supporting their candidacy

“Hard” $ vs “Soft” $ “Soft” Money

Unlimited $$$ raised and spent by interest groups on their own ads

“527” interest groups and some PAC’s can run “issue ads” w/ soft $

Such "issue ads" won't explicitly tell you to elect or defeat a particular candidate, but the group's view of the candidate's stance on their issue is clear.

Highly controversial….why?

Why are there so many interest groups in America? Constitutional protection

1st amendment (free speech & assembly)

Pluralistic Society Many different political, social, and

economic interests Many access points to influence the

law making process Rising costs of political campaigns

Other Incentives

Material Benefits Discounts Money Special services to

members only Travel Free items