Name: ______Date: ______Period: ______

Chapter 19: Interest Groups

Section 1: The Nature of Interest Groups

Main Idea: If you ever joined with others who share your views on an issue, you have probably been a part of an interest group. You almost surely will be part of one or more interest groups in the future. Interest groups provide an important way for Americans to influence government policies.

What is an interest group?

The Role of Interest Groups

How do interest groups try to influence public policy?

Political Parties and Interest Groups

Identify and describe the three major differences between political parties and interest groups.

Interest Groups: Good or Bad?

Describe the valuable functions of interest groups.

Describe the criticisms of interest groups.

Chapter 19: Interest Groups

Section 2: Types of Interest Groups

Main Idea: Most Americans are “a nation of joiners” – including joiners of interest groups. Some of these groups are based on economic interests, some on other issues. Some are public-interest groups, which seek to benefit all Americans.

Groups Based on Economic Interest

What is a business group, give examples?

Define trade association:

Define labor union:

Give modern examples of labor unions.

What is an agricultural group, give examples?

What is a professional group, give examples?

Other Interest Groups

Give examples of groups that promote specific causes.

Give examples of groups that promote the welfare of certain groups.

Give examples of religious organizations.

Public Interest Groups

Define public-interest group:

Give examples of public interest groups.

Chapter 19: Interest Groups

Section 3: Interest Groups at Work

Main Idea: Flip through a newspaper or magazine and you will no doubt see examples of interest groups at work – that is, using propaganda aimed at influencing public attitudes. Interest groups also work through political action committees and lobbyists to influence political parties and public policy.

Influencing Public Policy

Identify and describe the three major goals of interest groups

Propaganda

Define propaganda:

How do interest groups use propaganda to persuade people to their point of view?

Affecting Public Policy

How do interest groups try to sway the decisions of political parties?

Define single-interest group:

Lobbying

Define lobbying:

What is the major task of lobbyists?

What techniques do lobbyists use as they try to persuade legislators and other policy makers to share their points of view?

Identify the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act:

Why was the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act ineffective?

Identify the Lobbying Disclosure Act: