INTEREST GROUPS

Bellwork (3/8/2010) What types of groups/teams/clubs do

you belong to? Do any of these seek to influence the

government in any way?

Terms Special interest groups Political Action Committees (PACs) Pluralism Lobbying

Special interest groups particular goal or set of goals that unites

the members of a group to appeal to government for help

Why? Can you name any interest groups?

Political Action Committees (PACs) In order for unions, corporations, or

interest groups to contribute money towards a candidate/political party, they must do so through a recognized PAC.

Pluralism Idea that political

power should be distributed and shared among various groups in society.

Federalist #10, written by James Madison as it appeared in the New York Daily Advertiser, 11/22/1787

Lobbying organized attempt to influence policy

making by persuading elected officials to agree or disagree with action on a specific issue

So how do people influence the elected officials? Lobbying Research and policy proposals Litigation – Brown v. Board of Education Grassroots

Expenditures

Source: http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/index.php