Influencing Government Interest Groups Part 1 PDF

Types of Interest Groups Main Idea Interest groups are an important part of our democratic process because they influ- ence public policy. Civics & You If you wanted to change a policy at your school, do you think you would have more influ- ence as an individual or as a part of a large group? Read t...

Types of Interest Groups Main Idea Interest groups are an important part of our democratic process because they influ- ence public policy. Civics & You If you wanted to change a policy at your school, do you think you would have more influ- ence as an individual or as a part of a large group? Read to see how many Americans have answered this question on the national level. A s you learned earlier, interest groups are organizations of people who unite to promote their ideas. People form, join, or support interest groups, also called special- interest groups, because they believe that by pooling their resources, they can increase their influence on decision makers. The First Amendment protects your right to belong to interest groups by guaranteeing “the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government.” Economic Interest Groups Some of the most powerful interest groups Energy Protest Demonstrators protest President are based on economic interests. The U.S. Bush’s energy policy in 2003. Comparing How are Chamber of Commerce, which promotes free public interest groups different than economic interest groups who protest? enterprise, is one of the largest. Others repre- sent specific types of businesses, such as the Tobacco Institute, which represents cigarette manufacturers. Such groups try to influence Other Interest Groups government decisions on issues that affect People have also organized to promote their industries. an ethnic group, age group, religious group, Interest groups representing workers or gender. The National Association for the have been some of the most influential. Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) They are concerned with wages, working works to improve the lives of African Ameri- conditions, and benefits. The American cans. The National Organization for Women Federation of Labor and Congress of (NOW) represents women’s interests. AARP Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), an alli- promotes the interests of older Americans. ance of labor unions, is the largest of these Another category of interest groups work groups. Professionals such as lawyers, doc- for special causes. For example, the Sierra tors, and accountants have their own interest Club is concerned with protecting nature. groups. The American Medical Association, The National Rifle Association (NRA) looks for instance, represents doctors. after the interests of gun owners. Chapter 11 333 Alex Wong/Getty Images  William Thomas Cain/Getty Images Public Interest Groups All the interest Elections Some interest groups use politi- groups described earlier are private groups cal resources to support certain candidates because they promote only the special inter- at election time. For example, the Sierra Club ests of their own members. Some groups, might back candidates who support laws to however, work to benefit all, or at least most, protect nature and oppose those who dis- of society. These are public interest groups. agree with its beliefs. Many interest groups, These groups support causes that affect the including most labor unions and many lives of Americans in general. For example, corporations and trade associations, have the League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, formed political action committees (PACs). or impartial, group that educates voters about PACs collect money from the members of candidates and issues. Other public interest their groups and use it to support some can- groups have worked for consumer rights and didates and oppose others. the rights of the disabled. Going to Court Trying to influence public policy by bringing cases to court is another Interest Groups and Government option. For example, when a law—in the Interest groups are an important part of our opinion of an interest group—is not being democratic process because their primary, properly enforced, the group may sue the or first, goal is to influence public policy. To party who is breaking the law. A group may do this, interest groups focus their efforts on also use the courts to argue that a law or gov- elections, the courts, and lawmakers. ernment policy is unconstitutional. Peaceful Demonstrations Many special-interest groups protest peacefully, just asking citizens to read materials or sign petitions. Describing What kinds of actions by the government are special-interest groups hoping for? 334  In this cartoon, Steve Breen comments on the relationship between spe- cial interests and Congress by making reference to the movie King Kong. 1. Define special interests. 2. Why do you think the cartoonist represents special interests as a giant? 3. How does Breen portray Congress? 4. Do you think Breen views this relationship as positive or nega- tive? Explain. —Steve Breen/Copley News Service Lobbying Government useful information that helps their own cases. They suggest solutions to problems and Interest groups use lobbyists to help them issues. Lobbyists sometimes prepare their influence government officials, especially at own drafts of bills for lawmakers to consider the national and state levels. Lobbyists are and even testify in legislative hearings on representatives of interest groups who con- bills. All of these activities provide lawmak- tact lawmakers or other government officials ers with a tremendous amount of informa- directly. Lobbyists operate at all levels of tion. This is important because lawmakers government—local, state, and national. deal with thousands of bills each year. The term lobbyist was first used in the The work of lobbyists does not end once a 1830s to describe people who waited in the law is passed. Their interest groups also try to lobbies of statehouses to ask politicians for make sure the laws are enforced and upheld favors. Today lobbyists use a variety of strat- in court. For example, if an oil exploration bill egies to influence lawmakers. Lobbyists have is approved, environmental groups are likely a good understanding of how the govern- to watch the whole operation carefully. If oil ment functions. Good lobbyists know which companies do not observe provisions aimed government department to contact about a at protecting the environment, lobbyists for particular concern. They are also talented the environmental groups will lobby various public relations agents who know how to government departments or agencies to see make friends and talk persuasively. that the law is enforced. One of the lobbyist’s most important resources is information. The most effective Explaining Why do some people lobbyists are able to supply to lawmakers form interest groups? Chapter 11 335 Steve Breen/Copley News Service