4.4 Interest Groups

Do Now:

What are some ways in which you exert your power?

Interest Groups

A group or an organization which tries to influence the

government but does not hold official position in the

government

Techniques

Interest Group techniques are largely aimed at lobbying government bureaucracy, where most decisions are

made. Congress (federal and state) bears the brunt of the

lobbying.

Lobbying

Video 1Jack Abramoff: The Lobbyists Playbook

60 Minutes

Video 2What is Lobbying and Why is it

Important?The American League of Lobbyists (Pro-

Lobby)

TechniquesMany interest groups also use mass media as an important,

albeit less direct, way of affecting public policy

These grass-roots campaigns get the average Joe to do the

work.

Techniques

Some interest groups are affiliated with Political Action

Committees. These groups raise funds and support

candidates with like interests.

Techniques

When public and congressional lobbying don’t work, and PACs

just aren’t making the difference, interest groups often

turn to litigation

United States of ALEC

By Bill Moyers

National Rifle Association (NRA)

•World’s pre-eminent gun rights organization

•Fights for hunting and self-protection rights

•Provides gun ownership education

•Congressional staffers consider it the “most influential lobbying group” (Fortune, 1999)

Techniques

•Lobbying congress in regards to the 2nd amendment and gun laws using their own lobbying branch- NRA-ILA (Institute for Legislative Action)

•Huge mass media presence supporting all things arms (has the NRA done more constitutional education than our education system?)

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)

•Started by the mother of a drunk driving victim

•Early attempts at change proved that drunk driving was not even an issue that the public or govt was conscious of

Techniques

•Lobbying congress and other governmental bodies in regards to drunk driving legislation

•Education: mass media, schools, etc.

•Policy briefings with judges

•Victim’s Services: provides legal and emotional services to victims of drunk driving

National Potato Council

•Environment (looks good, don’t it?)•Trade (keep us growers competitive)•Health and Nutrition (public (mis)education)•Farm Bill (reduce regulation, provide subsidies)•Transportation (keeping costs and spoilage down)•Research (GMO, Hybrids, Breeding)

The National Potato Council is the advocate for the economic well-being of U.S. potato growers on

federal legislative, regulatory, environmental, and trade issues.

Techniques

•Lobbying congress (especially the Committee on Agriculture) in regards to the farm bill

•Providing information to the public in order to sway public opinion

•Lobbying the FDA for approval of new varieties and possible GMO in the future

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

Goals•Ensure political, education, social and economic equality•Eliminate Racial Prejudice in the workplace•Remove barriers of racial discrimination in politics•Seek to enforce laws regarding racial discrimination•Educate people about racial discrimination

The mission of the NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights

of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.

Techniques

•Increasing the African American vote•Educating the public about discrimination•Lobbying congress in regards to anti-discrimination legislation•Using their “Urgent Action Alert System” the NAACP encourages Grass-Roots activism

4.4 Assignment

Use the worksheet to create your own interest group.