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Interest Groups Guided Notes

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Interest Groups Guided Notes

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yeseky2
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Name: ____________________________________________________ Date: _____________ Block: _______

Interest Groups and Lobbyists


An Interest Group is a group of people who share common goals and organize to influence
government.

What is the difference between a Political Party and an Interest Group?


Political Parties Interest Groups

Nominate candidates for political office Do not nominate candidates for office

Consider issues and problems that affect Attract people concerned with only a
all citizens few issues or specific problems

Organized to elect officials from geographic areas Only consider issues that affect only
who represent people in those areas their group or organization

Organized on the basis of


Attract people from opposing groups
common values from every region of the
to win elections
country

Political Parties and Interest Groups: Similarities

Both represent groups of people rather than individuals.

Both try to influence the government on behalf of their groups.

Political Parties and Interest Groups: Differences

Political Parties
 Nominate candidates for political office.
 Consider issues and problems that affect all citizens.
 Organized to elect officials from geographic areas who represent people in
those areas.
 Attract people from opposing groups to win elections.

Interest Groups
 Do not nominate candidates for office.
 Attract people concerned with only a few issues or specific problems.
 Only consider issues that affect only their group or organization.
 Organized on the basis of common values from every region of the country.

Lobbying

When an Interest Group tries to influence government policy by making direct contact with
lawmakers or other government leaders.

The people who do this are called lobbyists.

How Does It Work?

The practice of approaching Senators and Representatives is called lobbying, because they
usually approach them in the lobby of the capitol building.
Lobbying is one of the most widely used and effective techniques available to interest groups.

Types of Interest Groups:


Business and Labor

 Business interest groups work to lower individual and corporate taxes and limit
government regulation of business.
 Labor interest groups work to gain higher wages and other benefits.

Agricultural

 Represent almost 4 million farmers.


 Advocate price supports for crops.
 Protect interests of migrant workers.

Professional

 Associations are concerned with the standards of their professions and seek
to influence government policy on issues that are important to them.

Environmental

 Goals range from conserving natural resources to protecting endangered wildlife.

Public Interest Groups

 Seek goals that will benefit American society.

Government

 Seek to influence Congress or the Executive Branch because they want a greater share
of federal aid.

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