interest groups. an interest group is an organized group that tries to influence public policy. ...
TRANSCRIPT
Interest GroupsAn interest group is an organized
group that tries to influence public policy.
Interest groups provide an avenue for citizen participation in politics.
Kinds of Interest Groups
★Public Interest Groups - AARP★Economic Interest Groups - U.S.
Chamber of Commerce★Governmental Units - State/Local
Government★Political Action Committees
What Interest Groups Do
★Increase representation and participation in American politics.
★Increase public awareness about important issues.
★Help frame the public agenda.★Engage in lobbying and election
activities.
LobbyingLobbying - the activities of a group or
organization that seek to persuade political leaders to support the group’s position.
the term “lobbying” refers to a situation where individuals meet elected officials in the lobbies of government buildings to try to persuade them about specific issues.
Who is Lobbied?Congress - research, money, or
testimony is provided by lobbyists to Congress.
Executive Branch - President, White House staff and bureaucracy are lobbied.
Courts - through sponsorship of lawsuits or filing of amicus curiae briefs.
Election Activities of Interest Groups
★Candidate recruitment and endorsements.
★Getting out the vote.★Rating the candidates or office
holders.★Campaign contributions through
PACs.★Signing pledges.
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United States House of Representatives candidates
Taxpayer Protection PledgeI, _______________, pledge to the taxpayers of the _____ district of the state of__________, and to the American people that I will:ONE, oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses; andTWO, oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates._________________________________________ Signature
_________________________________________ Date
_________________________________________ Witness
_________________________________________ WitnessPledges must be signed, dated, witnessed and returned to:AMERICANS FOR TAX REFORM 722 12th Street, WASHINGTON, DC 20005PHONE (202) 785-0266 FAX (202) 330-5224
Americans for Tax Reform Pledge
Interest Groups ABC Videos Power Parties in
Washington.http://portal.mypearson.com/
mypearson-login.jsp?logoutAction=render
Interest Groups
http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/283053-2
What do interest groups represent?Who is a lobbyist?What is traded between lobbyists and
elected officials?
Interest GroupsWhat is traded between lobbyists and
elected officials?• Lobbyists provide
- votes of interest group members- money for political campaigns- information- testimony at congressional hearings
- draft legislation• Elected officials provide
- votes supporting lobbyist’s point of view
How do Interest Groups Provide Money for Election
Campaigns?
★Political Action Committees (PAC)•the political arm of interest groups
(and corporations).•allowed by federal laws governing
campaign financing to raise funds and make campaign contributions to elected officials.
Some Interest Groups
http://www.aarp.org/http://www.lwv.org/Elections/
index.htmlhttp://home.nra.org/#/homehttp://www.sierraclub.org/
The Dark Side of Interest Groups
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/moyersonamerica/capitol/index.html
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/july-dec10/delay_11-25.html
In 2006 Jack Abramoff pled guilty to conspiracy, fraud, and tax evasion.
Regulating Interest Groups and Lobbyists
Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007• Bans gifts and honoraria to members of
Congress and their staffs • tougher disclosure requirements• longer time limits on moving from the
federal government to the private lobbying sector.
Political Parties
Political parties are not mentioned in the Constitution.
Political parties seek to gain and exercise power through the electoral process.
Functions of the Party System
Mobilize support and build coalitions.
Encourage stability in the political system.
Provide accountability for public policy.
Run candidates for office.Formulate policy through a national
party platform.
Third PartiesRooted in sectionalism, economic
protest, single issues, and charismatic personalities.
Do best when there is little trust in other parties.
Can have success in putting issues on the agenda.
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Third PartiesLibertarian Party wants to reduce the
size and cost of government and eliminate laws which control people’s personal choices.
Reform Party in 1992 and 1996 wanted an amendment requiring a balanced budget.
Party OrganizationNational committees - hold
conventions every 4 years to:•nominate presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
•formulate a party platform. A party platform represents the official party position on various issues.
Party Organization
State committees.County committees.Precincts - smallest level of the party
organization and comprised of the foot soldiers for the party.
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Political Parties• Based on the preceding party
platforms...which political party is the best fit with your political beliefs?
Party AffiliationParty identification shapes political
worldview.Wealthy, white-collar workers,
married, and evangelicals are more likely Republican.
Working class, women, minorities, singles, unions, and advanced degrees are more Democratic.
The single greatest influence on young citizens’ initial party identification is their parents.