This document discusses interest groups and their activities. It defines interest groups as groups of citizens who share common interests and try to influence policy. It describes different types of interest groups and their purposes, which include representation, participation, education, and agenda building. The document also discusses factors that motivate group formation, such as common problems or threats. It provides examples of influential interest group leaders and the types of benefits groups provide their members, such as material, solidary, and expressive benefits. Finally, it outlines different lobbying strategies used by interest groups, including direct and indirect lobbying.

1. POL 140-07
Fall 2015

4.  Interest groups are groups of citizens who:
 (1) Share common interest
 (2)Try to influence policy
 What are some types of interest groups?
 Proactive Interest Groups
 Reactive Interest Groups
 Homogeneous vs. Heterogeneous Groups

6.  Representation
 Participation
 Education
 Agenda Building
 Provision of Program Alternatives
 Program Monitoring

8.  Common Problem orThreat
 “There is a disturbance in the Force…”
 Example: NSF Funding for My Research!
 Resource Advantage
 Money, Membership Size, Leadership, Information
 Effective Leadership
 Importance of interest group entrepreneurs

9. Cesar Chavez
United FruitWorkers
Ralph Nader
Consumer
Protection
Candy Lightner
Mothers Against
Drunk Driving
(MADD)

10. “Nate’s Lighthouse Story”

11.  Material Benefits
 Tangible rewards that members can actually use
 Solidary Benefits
 Derived from interaction and bonding with others
 Expressive Benefits
 Internal rewards; Being a part of worthy cause

14. AGE RACE AND ETHNICITY

15. GENDER SEXUAL ORIENTATION

17. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSUMER

18. RELIGIOUS SECOND AMENDMENT

19. REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS OTHER GROUPS

20. DIRECT LOBBYING
 “Inside Lobbying”
 Interaction with
decision makers in
government
INDIRECT LOBBYING
 “Outside Lobbying”
 Mobilizes general
public to contact govt.
officials on given issue

22. DIRECT LOBBYING
 “Inside Lobbying”
 Interaction with actual
decision makers in
government
INDIRECT LOBBYING
 “Outside Lobbying”
 Mobilizes general
public to contact
officials on given issue