- 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)
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