Ch 12 Groups and Interests 10 25 13 Pluralism Theory that interests are and should be free to compete for influence in government Outcome of this competition is balance and compromise Characteristics of Interest Groups Interest group Organized group of individuals or organizations that makes policy related appeals to government Enhance democracy Free rider problem Organizational components o Attract and keep members o Promote political goals Information benefits to members Material benefits to members Social benefits to members Purposive benefits selective o Build financial structure o Leadership decision making structure o Agency that carries out groups tasks Upper class bias Strategies for Influencing Policy Insider strategy Gaining access to key decision makers Outsider strategy Going public and suing electoral tactics Direct lobbying Attempt to influence policy through persuasion of government officials Using courts Going public Launch media campaign to build popular support Grassroots lobbying Campaign in which a group mobilizes its membership to contact o Bringing suit directly on behalf of group o Financing suits brought by individuals o Filing a companion brief as amiscus curiae government officials in support of group s position PAC s Activism Initiatives
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