CH 8
Political Party: Coalitions of people who form a united front to win control of government and implement policy.
Proportional representation: a multi-member district system that allows each political party representation in proportion to its percentage of the total vote.
Lobbying: a strategy by which organized interests seek to influence the passage of legislation by exerting direct pressure on government officials.
Lobbyists attempt to influence the policy process in various ways, the most important of which is providing information to lawmakers, administrators, and committee staff about their interests and the legislation and regulations that they seek to promote, amend, or defeat.
They often testify on behalf of their clients at congressional committee and agency hearings, talk to reporters, place ads in newspapers, and organize letter writing, phone calls, emails, and social media campaigns.
Many lobbying efforts occur in private meetings with lawmakers and campaign leaders.
They also play an important role in fundraising, helping to direct client's contributions to certain members of Congress and presidential candidates.
Things political parties do:
They nominate candidates, electing them to public office, and winning elections.
They organize government lawmaking and seek to change government policy.
Common Interest Groups:
AFL-CIO: strive to ensure all working people are treated fairly, with decent paychecks and benefits, safe jobs, dignity, and equal opportunities. They help people acquire valuable skills and job-readiness for the 21st century economy.
National Organization for Women (NOW): "Since its founding in 1966, National Organization for Women's goal has been to take action to bring about equality for all women. NOW works to eliminate discrimination and harassment in the workplace, schools, the justice system, and all other sectors of society; secure abortion, birth control and reproductive rights for all women; end all forms of violence against women; eradicate racism, sexism and homophobia; and promote equality and justice in our society."
National Rifle Association: The primary goal of the association would be to "promote and encourage rifle shooting on a scientific basis," according to a magazine editorial written by Church.
What role to interest groups play in congressional decision making?: Speak of behalf of members, mobilize the population, provide important info, hold officials accountable, litigate on behalf of individuals.
What are PACs? Who is involved with PACs?: Groups that raise and distribute money for use in election campaigns. Many interest groups creates PACs in their name to be the money giving arm of the interest group. The NRA Political Victory Fund donates money to political candidates and officeholders on behalf of the NRA, which represents the interest of gun holders.