Chapter 2: Interest Groups

What is an interest group?

An organization of people seeking ot influence government and public policy.

What is lobbying?

A political activity that aims to influence government policymaking. The main activity of interest groups.

What is a lobbyist?

A professional who engages in lobbying on behalf of an interest group or organization.

What are private interest groups?

Groups that advocate for economic or professional benefits limited to group members (e.g., AFL-CIO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, AMA).

What are public interest groups?

Groups that advocate for broad issues that benefit the general public (e.g., Sierra Club, NAACP AARP).

What is a 527 organization?

A tax-exempt ‘issue advocacy’ group regulated under the U.S. tax code (not the FEC); cannot coordinate directly with a candidate.

What is an amicus curiae brief?

Meaning ‘friend of the court’; a brief filed by interest groups to provide the Supreme Court with legal arguments supporting their position.

What are the different types of interest groups?

Private, public, governmental, ideological/issue, and religious.

How do interest groups influence government?

By lobbing the legislative branch, lobbying the judicial branch, and engaging in electoral activity.