CH 11 - INTEREST GROUPS

direct mail

a high-tech method of raising money and mobilizing supporters for a political cause or candidate by sending targeted information and donation requests directly to people whose names appear on specialized lists

environmental movement

a grassroots social and political movement focused on influencing public policy to protect the natural environment, conserve resources, and mitigate pollution, climate change, and habitat destruction

feminist movement

a social and political effort aimed at establishing, defending, and expanding equal rights, opportunities, and protections for women across all spheres of society—political, legal, economic, and social.

grassroots lobbying

an "outside" strategy where interest groups mobilize ordinary citizens to pressure policymakers, rather than directly contacting them

institutional interests

are individuals or organizations that represent other organizations (such as corporations, governments, foundations, or universities) rather than a mass membership of individual citizens

interest groups

an organized association of individuals or organizations sharing common goals that seeks to influence public policy, legislation, and government decision-making without directly running for office

Lobbyist

a professional, often representing an interest group or corporation, who is paid to influence government policy, legislation, or administrative decisions by directly contacting lawmakers, offering research, and testifying at hearings

membership interests

interest groups that represent the specific, shared policy preferences, beliefs, or economic goals of their actual dues-paying members

political action committee

an organization that pools campaign contributions from members or donors to donate to candidates, parties, or legislation, acting as the fundraising arm of interest groups

social movement

an organized, collective effort by a large group of people to influence public opinion, policy, or societal norms, often in response to perceived injustices

Unions

a type of economic interest group that represents organized workers, seeking to influence public policy regarding wages, working hours, benefits, and workplace safety

How do interest groups use PACs to advance their causes?

Interest groups use a PAC to help fund the candidate they want that could help their specific issue and being able to give good profit to the candidate can give opportunities to interest groups to be able to meet up with lawmakers to push their policy agenda further.

What is the benefit of funding an incumbent for an interest group?

It's beneficial to those groups especially if they're funding an incumbent.

What is one way interest groups attempt to influence the policy-making process?

litigation

What is a second way interest groups attempt to influence the policy-making process?

donating money through PACs

What is a third way interest groups attempt to influence the policy-making process?

grassroots lobbying

What is the primary goal of interest groups regarding policy?

seeks to influence public policy, legislation, and government decision-making without directly running for office

What do institutional interests represent?

individuals or organizations that represent other organizations (such as corporations, governments, foundations, or universities) rather than a mass membership of individual citizens

What is the focus of the environmental movement?

influencing public policy to protect the natural environment, conserve resources, and mitigate pollution, climate change, and habitat destruction

What is the focus of the feminist movement?

establishing, defending, and expanding equal rights, opportunities, and protections for women across all spheres of society—political, legal, economic, and social.

What do unions seek to influence?

public policy regarding wages, working hours, benefits, and workplace safety