Wednesday, October 29, 2008

29 October BLOG

  • Interest groups have resources:

large politically active membership, lobbyists, and political action committees ($$$)

  • Large membership is very important because it gives a group more power
  • many people join interest groups because they like the benefits
  • Interest groups can offer disciounts, insurance, etc.
  • #1 thing that a congressman can get from a lobbyist is up to date, well researched information
  • if congressman vote with an interest group, the interest group might give him support during his reelection campaign ($$$)
  • Interest groups use PAC's to donate money.
  • Corporate PACs- formed by businesses
  • idealogical PACs-formed over an issue
  • access- ability of an interest gruop to communicate with a congressman
  • Interest groups are usually made up of wealthy, educated people.
  • This creates controversy because some argue that the less wealthy and less educated people lose out.
  • Proponents of interest groups say that itnerest groups rae good and part of pluralist democracy, allowing citizen partcipation.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF LOBBYING:

  • Dirrect Lobbying- face to face, email, or telephone communication between lobbyist and law maker.
  • Grass roots lobbying- asking memebers to emial a congressman, mail a letter, etc. Also protests and such are grass roots lobbying.

  • Electioneering-Interest grups helping people who support them get elected to office.
  • PACs overwhelmingly support incumbents
  • Litigation- law suits filed by interest groups (NAACP during 1950's)

No comments: