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Interest Groups Notes

This document discusses how interest groups shape policy in the United States. It outlines the key ways that interest groups attempt to influence policymakers, including lobbying elected officials, providing election support to allies, mobilizing constituents through calls and letters, bringing lawsuits, and organizing demonstrations. It also provides examples of major interest groups in the US and discusses some potential pros and cons of their role in the political process.

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Chris J Huff
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98 views

Interest Groups Notes

This document discusses how interest groups shape policy in the United States. It outlines the key ways that interest groups attempt to influence policymakers, including lobbying elected officials, providing election support to allies, mobilizing constituents through calls and letters, bringing lawsuits, and organizing demonstrations. It also provides examples of major interest groups in the US and discusses some potential pros and cons of their role in the political process.

Uploaded by

Chris J Huff
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Interest Group- an organization made up of people who share a


common objective and actively attempt to influence government
policymakers.

How do Interest Groups Shape Policy?


1. Lobbying- Lobbyists representing groups make personal
contact, provide expertise, expert testimony, and draft
legislation. http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=3108688n&tag=related;photovideo

2. Provide Election Support- help with the campaigns of those


who support their policies.
3. Shape Public Opinion- run television ads, newspaper ads,
4. Mobilize Constituents- get people to call members of
Congress, letter writing campaigns
5. Bring Lawsuits- use lawsuits to change laws (NAACP in 50s)
6. Stage Demonstrations- organizes protests, rallies to support
or oppose issues.

Examples:

Truth.org http://www.thetruth.com/
AARP http://www.aarp.org/
ACLU http://www.aclu.org/
Christian Coalition http://www.cc.org/
Greenpeace http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/
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NOW http://www.now.org/
NRA http://home.nra.org/#/home
Sierra Club http://www.sierraclub.org/
Americans for Common Cents http://www.pennies.org/
Pros/Cons of Interest Groups

Pros Cons
-Help stimulate interest, -Influence may be too great
participation
-Hard to tell who they
-Raise awareness represent
-Bridge the Gap between -May use tactics that
legislators and constituents undermine the system
-Perform research and provide
information to law-makers
-Watchdogs

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