Gov 11.txt

• People with shared policy goals who try and achieve these goals through several means
• Pursue their goals in many arenas

Politics is a competition among groups

Societies divide along class lines and the elite class will rule

• Groups are too strong so govt is weakened
• Exaggerated pluralism

• Great deal of control over certain areas
• Iron triangles- consist of interest group leaders, the corresponding gov't agency, and members of Congress that handle the policy the interest group deals in

All the people who might be in an interest group because of shared interests

The members who actually join an interest group

• Clean air, better working conditions, higher wages
• Something of value that can't be withheld from a potential group member

When people don't join a union or interest group but still benefit

• Mancur Olson
• The larger a group, the further it falls short of its goals

• Goods that can be restricted to include only actual group members
• Discounts, group insurance rates, etc.

Narrow interests, dislike compromise, get members that are new to politics

Communication not in ones own interest directed at a gov't official to try and influence their decision

• Direct group involvement in the electoral process
• PACs
• Fund campaigns, get members to work for candidates

• PACs
• Corporation, union or other interest group can create and register a PAC
• Monitored closely

• Legal briefs submitted for an additional point of view
• Submitted by those that aren't formal parties

A small number of people sue on behalf of all other people that are in similar situations

Require employees to join a union and stay in it to keep their jobs

• Forbids union shops
• Taft-Hartley Act of 1947

Seek a collective good that won't give the organizations material benefits