1. What are
they?
INTEREST What do they
do?
GROUPS
Why are they
important?
What are
some major
interest
groups?

2. WHAT IS AN “INTEREST GROUP”?
 Organizations whose members have shared views
and objectives and work to affect public policy.
 Pressure Groups
 Special Interest Groups
 Are they evil?
 Do they have too much influence?

3. WHAT DO INTEREST GROUPS DO?
Lobbying
 Letter Writing
 Phone Calls
 Raise Money
 Contribute Money
 Testify
 Educate and Inform
the Public
 Engage in Public
Debate

5. WHY ARE INTEREST GROUPS
IMPORTANT?
 Their interests are dif ferent from the interests of the
American people as a whole
 Can shape public opinion
 Can mobilize at a “ grass roots” level
 Influential in Congress
 Iron Triangle

6. WHAT ARE SOME MAJOR
INTEREST GROUPS?
Business Groups Causes
 National Restaurant - ACLU
Association
- Sierra Club
 Chamber of Commerce
Promote Specific Groups
Labor Groups
- NAACP
 AFL-CIO
- AARP
 NEA
Religious Organizations
Agricultural Groups
- Anti-Defamation League
 The Farm Bureau
- Christian Coalition
 National Farmers Union
Public Interest Groups
Professional Groups
- League of Women Voters
 American Medical
Association - Common Cause
 American Bar Association

7.  https://www.youtube.com/watc h? v=o DeBuhIQdYk