1. What are
they?
INTEREST What do they
do?
GROUPS
Why are they
important?
What are
some major
interest
groups?
2. WHAT IS AN “INTEREST GROUP”?
Organizations whose members have shared views
and objectives and work to affect public policy.
Pressure Groups
Special Interest Groups
Are they evil?
Do they have too much influence?
3. WHAT DO INTEREST GROUPS DO?
Lobbying
Letter Writing
Phone Calls
Raise Money
Contribute Money
Testify
Educate and Inform
the Public
Engage in Public
Debate
4.
5. WHY ARE INTEREST GROUPS
IMPORTANT?
Their interests are dif ferent from the interests of the
American people as a whole
Can shape public opinion
Can mobilize at a “ grass roots” level
Influential in Congress
Iron Triangle
6. WHAT ARE SOME MAJOR
INTEREST GROUPS?
Business Groups Causes
National Restaurant - ACLU
Association
- Sierra Club
Chamber of Commerce
Promote Specific Groups
Labor Groups
- NAACP
AFL-CIO
- AARP
NEA
Religious Organizations
Agricultural Groups
- Anti-Defamation League
The Farm Bureau
- Christian Coalition
National Farmers Union
Public Interest Groups
Professional Groups
- League of Women Voters
American Medical
Association - Common Cause
American Bar Association