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10.7 Understanding Interest Groups
Text 1: What Are Interest Groups? (Txtbook 480-482 Etext 279)
1. Why are interest groups sometimes called “pressure groups” or “special interests”?
2. Define Public Policy:
3. List and describe the 3 main areas in which political parties and interest groups differ.
Text 2: Different Views of Interest Groups (Txtbook 482-484 Etext 279)
4.
James Madison warned the new nation against the dangers of what he called “factions”.
Although he opposed them, explain why he was opposed to any attempt to abolish them. How
did he hope to moderate the power of interest groups in the new government?
5. List 6 valuable functions of interest groups in American society.
Interactive Reading Notepad • Lesson 10.7
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6. Define Public Affairs:
7. On what bases are interest groups often criticized? List 4 reasons
Text 3: Why Do Individuals Join Interest Groups? (Txtbook 485-487 Etext 281)
8. What has been the purpose for the founding of most of the labor groups in our country? List
several other reasons why interest groups have developed.
9. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the League of
United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) are two popular interest groups that seek to promote
the interest of particular parts of the population. Give an example for each group how they have
worked to benefit the people they are representing.
10. Summarize three reasons why interest groups grew in number in the 1960s and 1970s.
Text 4: Processes Used by Interest Groups—The Direct Approach (Txtbook 487490 Etext 282)
11. Define Lobbying:
12. Define Lobbyist:
Interactive Reading Notepad • Lesson 10.7
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13. List several locations that you expect to find lobbyists working.
14. Because of the Abramoff scandal, Congress tightened the rules pertaining to lobbyists.
Explain what lobbyists are required to do, as well as the restrictions placed on
top-level executive branch officials and ex-House members.
15. Describe 3 ways that lobbyists try to persuade members of Congress (Legislative Branch).
16. Describe 2 ways that lobbyists try to persuade members of the Executive Branch.
17. Describe 2 ways that lobbyists try to persuade the Courts.
18. Define Amicus Curiae:
Text 5: Processes Used by Interest Groups—The Indirect Approach (Txtbook
491-495 Etext 283)
19. Summarize the 4 ways listed below that interest groups use to indirectly influence government
and public opinion.
Grass-Roots Lobbying
Interactive Reading Notepad • Lesson 10.7
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The Internet
Public Opinion
Mass Media
20. Describe how interest groups use propaganda to help them reach their goals.
21. Why do interest groups focus much of their attention on getting people elected to office?
Describe how PAC’s (Political Action Committees) assist in this process.
Interactive Reading Notepad • Lesson 10.7
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