1	"Interest Groups" Interest Groups
2	The Evils of Factions Interest groups – (narrow / self-interested) James Madison warned of dangers of factions in The Federalist, No. 10
3	Limiting Factions Tools to control factions Disclosure Regulation
4	What Interest Groups Do People with common goals / influence government Two basic types – inside game and outside game
5	The Inside Game Inside game - direct contact with officials Good old-boy network One-on-one persuasion (Skilled lobbyists try to persuade a decision maker to accept the interest group’s view)
6	The Outside Game Outside game – Indirect influence Mobilize / shape public opinion / voters contributors (Involved in campaigns / elections)
7	Constitution Encourages Creation of Interest Groups 1^st Amendment - freedom of assembly Decision makers accessible to lobbyists Government fragmented – Federalism Checks and balances Separation of powers (accessible)
8	What Interests Are Represented Interest groups classified by type represented Public interests groups – represent the general welfare of the community Private interests groups represent small fraction of the community
9	Incentives People form groups when their interests are threatened Material benefit - tangible benefit to members only
10	Private Interest Groups Professional groups Unions
11	Public Interest Groups Try to get government to do things to benefit general public Explosion in public interest groups since late 1960s
12	Interest Groups in a Democratic Society Interest groups - private organizations that shape public policy Interest groups - influence decision makers
13	Interest Group Democracy Serve public interest People can join / organize groups that reflect their interests
14	Disturbance Theory Proliferation of interests groups promotes formation of even more new groups as others become disturbed Christian Coalition (evangelical Christians threatened by family breakdown / increase in abortions / sexual revolution)
15	Free-Riders When benefits available without joining the group (free-rider) / no reason to join