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Functions of Interest Groups (Notes)

Interest groups use several tactics to influence legislation and policymakers. They lobby members of Congress by writing letters, making phone calls, and socializing with them to try to get them to vote for their preferred policies. They also help fundraise for and campaign for candidates who support their positions. Additionally, they engage in litigation by representing individuals or groups hurt by laws or policies in court to promote their cause. They provide ratings of members of Congress based on how supportive they are as well as educate the public about their issues and goals.

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56 views

Functions of Interest Groups (Notes)

Interest groups use several tactics to influence legislation and policymakers. They lobby members of Congress by writing letters, making phone calls, and socializing with them to try to get them to vote for their preferred policies. They also help fundraise for and campaign for candidates who support their positions. Additionally, they engage in litigation by representing individuals or groups hurt by laws or policies in court to promote their cause. They provide ratings of members of Congress based on how supportive they are as well as educate the public about their issues and goals.

Uploaded by

theconformist
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Functions of Interest Groups

I. Lobbying
A. Try to get members of Congress to vote for what they want. 1. Write letters to members of Congress. 2. Call the members of Congress. 3. Socialize, go to conventions. B. Lobbyists represent interest groups in both public and private sectors. 1. States hire intergovernmental lobbyists to ask for money. 2. Private corporations hire lobbyists to represent them. 3. Lobby saying to not let this happen.

II.

Electioneering
A. Help the members of Congress (incumbent or challengers) get elected because they support their position. 1. Raise money for them. 2. Advertise for them. 3. Campaign for them.

III.

Litigation
A. The process of suing (representing somebody in court). B. Interest groups look for someone that has been hurt by a law, regulation, company, etc., and represent them in court (sometimes for free) in order to promote/benefit their cause. C. Apply Amicus Curiae (friend of the court): They will support a side of a case by filing a brief with the court supporting one side with evidence, facts, etc. D. Use Public Interest Law Firms (organizations that takes legal action to promote their cause). E. Class Action Lawsuits: Take legal action representing many people that used the same product or went somewhere that were hurt by that, to promote their cause.

IV.

Ratings Game
A. Interest groups grade members of Congress based on how friendly the congressperson has been to the interest group (ex. 0-90% of favorable representation).

V.

Appeal to the Public


A. Provide information to the public about what they will do (they educate people about issues). B. Provide a public image about someone that cares about the issues and the people.

VI.

Testify in Congress
A. Testify in standing and conference committees.

1. Describe three tactics used by interest groups that help them influence legislation.
A. B. C. They use the numbers of the people that they have. They use them to demonstrate, protest, etc. Money. The law on their side (ex. Civil Rights).

2. Describe the Lobbying and Disclosure Act of 1995.


A. Provides the disclosure of lobbying activities intended to influence the federal government (what lobbyists can and cannot do).

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