Interest Groups

Lobbying

Direct interaction with government officials to influence policy decisions

Electioneering

Supporting candidates through endorsements, donations (via PACs), and mobilizing voters

Litigation

Using the courts to advance policy goals (e.g., amicus curiae briefs, lawsuits like Brown v. Board of Education).

Grassroots Mobilization

Encouraging citizens to contact legislators or participate in protests.

Providing Information

Supplying policymakers and the public with research, reports, and analysis on key issues

Economic Interest Groups

Represent business, labor unions, agricultural organizations (e.g., Chamber of Commerce, AFL-CIO).

Public Interest Groups

Advocate for issues that affect the general public (e.g., Sierra Club, ACLU).

Government Interest Groups

State and local governments lobbying the federal government (e.g., National Governors Association).

Professional Associations

Represent specific professions (e.g., American Medical Association, American Bar Association).

Single-Issue Groups

Focus on a narrow set of policies (e.g., NRA, Planned Parenthood).

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

Allowed unlimited independent expenditures by corporations and unions.

Brown v. The Board of Education

The decision overturned the "separate but equal" doctrine established in the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson case. 

class action lawsuit and interest group lawsuit

Lobbying

The act of attempting to influence government officials and policies.

Influence Peddling

Using personal connections for political gain. (ILLEGAL)

Interest Group

A group of individuals sharing common interests who work to influence public policy

PAC (Political Action Committee)

Organizations that collect and distribute funds to influence elections. A group that raises and spends money for candidates aligned with their interests.

Issue Networks

Broader coalitions that form around specific policy issues.

Super PACs

PACs that can raise unlimited funds but cannot coordinate directly with candidates.

Iron Triangle

A policymaking relationship between a congressional committee, a bureaucratic agency, and an interest group.

Amicus Curiae Brief

A "friend of the court" brief submitted to influence Supreme Court decisions.

Grassroots Lobbying

Encouraging citizens to contact legislators to influence policy

Revolving Door

The movement of individuals between government positions and lobbying jobs (LEGAL)

Pluralism

The idea that multiple interest groups compete to influence policy, promoting democracy.

Free Rider Problem

When individuals benefit from an interest group's efforts without contributing.

Interest group

-An organization of people with shared policy goals who work to influence public policy at various levels of government.

-Unlike political parties, interest groups do not run candidates for office but rather seek to influence those in power.