Edgardo Cruz
Professor Lloyd Gaddis

04/03/14
Govt. 2306
Chapter 5: The Politics of Interest Groups

Models of Democracies;
A. The majoritarian model holds that the government should do what the majority of the public wants; B. Pluralistic model argues that the public as a whole seldom shows clear, consistent opinions on public issues;
Democracy is at work when the opinions of these groups clash openly and fairly over government policies; This model is more relevant to the United States;
a. This is because we have a pluralistic society;
b. The United States is a nation of nations and is made up of racial, religious, political, economic, and professional groups;
Definition
Interest groups are an organized group of people in which members share common views and objectives and carry on programs to influence public officials and policies
Contributing factors to the effectiveness of interest groups
1. Size
a. The larger the group the better the chance to make its influence felt
b. One example is the AFL-CIO
2. Degree of unity
a. If there is considerable unity in the group, it can act decisively even if it is small
b. One example is the NRA
3. Organization
4. Money
5. Leadership
a. Characteristics of a good leader are a brilliant mind, charismatic, reputation for getting things done, giving and receiving favors, and make friends easily; self-confidence, integrity, vision, optimism, stamina b. Having a good leader is very important
6. Well defined goals
a. If the goals are poorly defined, the above mentioned will be useless
b. Goals give direction to activities

Edgardo Cruz
Professor Lloyd Gaddis

04/03/14
Govt. 2306

B. Interest groups serve several important roles
1. Representation
a. Represent people before their government
b. Articulate their members' concerns, presenting them directly and forcefully in political forum
2. Preparation
a. They provide a means by which like-minded citizens can pool their resources and channel their energies into collective political action
b. People band together because government listens more to a group than an individual
3. Education
a. Give only their side of the "facts"
b. They do bring more information out into the open for digestion and evaluation by the people
4. Agenda building
a. Use this process to bring new issues into political limelight
b. Make government aware of problems through their advocacy, then try to see to it that something is done to solve them
5. Program monitoring
a. They follow government programs important to their constituents, keeping abreast of developments in Washington and in the local communities where policies are implemented
b. When problems arise, push administrators to resolve in ways that promote the group's goals
The classification of interest groups
1. Economic interest groups (business, labor, agriculture) the most important, powerful group in
American Politics;
a. Business protects, promotes, and represents the interests of business
1). Chamber of Commerce promotes small business
2). National Association of Manufacturers promotes large business
b. Labor favors laws that favor workers
1). The AFL-CIO is the dominant spokesman for labor groups
2). Teamsters
3). United Auto Workers
c. Agricultural tries to protect farmers

Edgardo Cruz
Professor Lloyd Gaddis

04/03/14
Govt. 2306

1). National Grange
2). American Farm Bureau Federation (Texas Farm Bureau)
3). National Farmers Union (Texas Farmers Union)
2. Professional - there are over 500 at the national level
a. All different professions have interest groups that protect them
b. American Medical Association has succeeded at defeating any bill that tries to provide public insurance programs
c. American Bar Association is strong because of the quality of members and their money
d. National Education Association
3. Religious and racial
a. Religious groups favor Protestants, Catholics, and Jews especially
1). National Council of Churches of Christ
2). Knights of Colombus
3). American Jewish Committee
b.