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#1)Interest group- Organizations that try to shape public policy by influencingbehavior or political decision-makers.• Two types of interest groups.A. public interest groups- non-economic groups that are connected to thegeneral welfare of the community.B. Private interest groups- groups with some tangible stake they want toprotect or advance by means of government action. They provide benefitsfor a small portion of community.• 3 inequalities of interest groupsA. Representational inequalities- involve the question of whom interestgroups represent.-2/3 of lobbyists are business, trade, and professional interest groups.-Representational advantage is increasing.-Business and professional groups have more permanency.B. Recourse inequalities- interest groups that represent businesscorporations and the professions represent a substantial recourse (money)advantage over others.-(ROI) Money gets you access.C. Access inequalities- Inequalities of representation and recourses areaccentuated by the ability of some groups to form stable alliances withgovernment institutions and decision makers.d. What is meant by an "iron triangle?”i. A decision making structure dominated by interest groups, congressionalcommittees, and executive agency personnel who create policies that aremutually beneficial.e. What are the primary differences between interest groups and politicalparties?i. Interest groups deal with influencing public policyii. Political Parties are organizations created for the purpose of winningelections and governing once in officef. What is a purposive incentive?i. intangible rewards related to the goals of the organization --- e.g.,working on an election of a supported candidateEasy way to remember Iron triangle (ICE):
I
nterest Groups
C
ongressional Committees
E
xecutive Agencies
 
#2)A. Inside and Outside of political lobbyingi. Inside Game - direct contact of interest group representative andgovernment officials, lobbying executive branch.1. Lobbyists that practice one on one persuasionii. Requires an understanding of the “rules of the game”1. Who are the key actors? How to play? How to be subtle?2. A good lobbyists know who the key players are, the most important staff members3. They also have to understand the pacing of it all, here is what thechairman is likely to do in this case (example). The procedures that have tobe taken and how long it takes. How to navigate that process. Lobbyists area lot of retired legislatures4. The inside game is most effective when the issues: are narrow andtechnicaliii. Doesn’t command much media or public attention1. Persuasion will work if people aren’t looking2. Doesn’t stir up counter activity from other interest groups3. You want to be the only lobbyist to be listened to4. D.C. is lousy with lobbyistiv. Lobbying Congress1. The importance of campaign contributions2. Provides testimony of public hearings of committees and sub committees3. Helping the bureaucracy deflect criticism4. Helps criticism of bureaucracyv. Outside Game1. effects to mobilize public opinion, voters, and important contribution inorder to bring pressure on elected officials example…Like a pool2. Tools of the outside game:a. Mobilizing your interest groups membershipsb. Organizing the district get voters and target messages to get senatordonors etc.c. Shaping opinion: interest groups try to educate public opiniond. Publication of Research results that are always in their favore. Advertising – acts to try to change public opinionf. Forms of a certain issue like health care example...national chamber of commerce – health care3. Maintain working relationship with mediaa. Reporters always looking for sources/journalists friends with lobbyists4. Political Action Committeesa. “Fundraiser” run ads on candidatesb. Blogging and web activism – “Think Process”B. When is one or the other strategy more or less effective?i.C. What are a few of the primary tactics developed by Washington
 
lobbyists?i. The White House may release information beneficial to the cause of members whose support they seek, or the president can accept aninvitation to a fundraising event for a member who is up for reelection.ii. Information and electoral support often in the form of campaigncontributionsiii. Supply creditable and reliable information based on accurate researchD. Who are the most powerful and well-financed interest groups and why?i. The business cooperation’s, they have the most money and numbers andthat is ultimately what it takes to competeE. Explain what is meant by "the revolving door?"i. It refers to the back and forth movement of individuals betweengovernment and interest group employmentF. Describe the functioning of the "lobbyist's loop of deceit."#3)Political parties- a political party is an organization created for the purpose of winning elections and governing once in office. A party coalition is an informalstructure. It is the groups and interest that support a party. There are 2 partycoalitions.• Democratic coalitiono Tend to draw from societies “ underdogs”Blacks, Jews, union members, the poor, urban dwellers, Hispanics.• Republican party coalitiono White, less educated-working classo Upper class protestantso Southern evangelicalso Socially conservative Catholics.Regan coalition• Social conservatives, fiscal conservatives, new conservatives,• Party organizationo The formal organizational apparatus of a political party.Primary purpose of a party organization is to run candidates for electionAggregate interestFacilitate political participationSimplify alternativesStimulate interest in politics n government.Realignment- Periodic changes in party strength, composition, and direction.
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