AP US Government Unit Term Sheet

Chapter 15: Interest Groups and Social Movements

Learning Targets:

15.1 Describe the factors that impact whether or not interest groups will be effective in
reaching their policy objectives.
Basically:
Size of the interest group (member #), wealth of the interest group ($ it can spend on
advertising, hiring lobbyists, etc.), allies, political backing and ideology, connections to
politicians, public perception.
15.2 Explain how political parties have developed and adapted to new circumstances.
Political parties have
15.3 Explain the role of political parties in nominating candidates.

Essential Questions:

1. Which theory of interest group existence best explains the proliferation and power of interest
groups in today’s society?
The pluralism theory, because it states that multiple groups sharing power and fighting for
influence will lead to the most fair and democratic result in government.
2. What does the number, type, and annual monetary spending tell us about which groups have
the most power and influence in America today?
The amount of spending tells us that the highest spendesr have greater influence or can use
their money to influence others. The number in the group (size) tells us how many people the
group can call on to either influence others through grassroots or social campaigning like
protesting or civil disobedience. The type of group (corporate/trade, professional, or public
advocacy) determines their policies they try to enact and how many people they reach (how
many people join and pay fees, not free riders but for their member benefits only).
3. How might the revolving door and close ties between the private and public sectors in certain
industries benefit some to the detriment of others?
The revolving door means that retired politicians or previous officials in government can take
advantage of their influence and connections developed from their prior careers to become
lobbyists, and be hired out to interest groups for lots of money to get their policies passed and
approved. The revolving door benefits politicians a great deal by providing them with a steady
source of income while also benefitting the interest groups with access to lots of capital and
wealth, while being a detriment to smaller interest groups or those with more people but less
wealth as they don’t have as much access to the revolving door and thus the connections
lobbying that comes with it.
4. What are the specific actions that interest groups can take directly and indirectly to influence
public policy?
Interest groups can take actions like incorporating incentives (solidary – people, material -
money or merch, purposive – draw on their conscious) to attract more members, and using their
members for grassroots lobbying and attracting other people to their cause. They are also able
to use their capital, perhaps to hire lobbyists through the revolving door (a direct method) and
using them to persuade politicians through a direct source telling them to do this or that. Direct
is correspondence with the lawmaker, gov official or regulatory body.
 Direct
Personal outreach to lawmakers, gov officials or regulatory bodies ON BEHALF of individual or
organization. TELL people specifically, face to face

Not direct

Sway public opinion or policymakers indirectly

They are also able to provide politicians with info and studies that will support their policy, or
take surveys/gather data and testimonials on how the public support sthe decision and make
the decision easier for the politician (this is not direct). They can discuss broad social/econ
topics, share info, research or analysis, and provide administrative help about interest group
activities.
Grassroots is indirect (having the members do this) but CAN’T have the campaign organizer
state position on speicifc legislature or tell the supporters directly to do so (that’s direct).
Members do it of their own volition.
- Conctatcing officaisl about issue
- Taking signatures and petition
- Attending public hearings or rallies
- Organizing letter writing and phone calls
- Social media or media outreach
- Door to doors.

As you read and take notes on the chapter, be sure to focus on the following terms. These terms are not
the only information that must be covered from the chapter, but serve as focal points for
comprehension. You might find that some of the terms below are introduced, defined, and applied
through class activities, lectures, readings, and discussions. Along with that, feel free to add additional
terms / ideas to the list as you see fit. Some terms may need only a brief phrase to summarize, while
some may require more detailed explanations.

#MeToo movement – pluralist theory –

social movement, political power is
women who were spread among many
sexually abused in film GOTV – Get out the vote – grassroots, telling ppl competing interest
industry and beyond to vote and convincing ppl to vote by reminding groups. Many groups
spoke out (after them, door to door, calling. not general public
Weinstein). Increase voter turnout govern a soceity
policy agenda – what
issues and policies are
discussed or gone over
by
advocacy groups – politicians/lawmakers.
organization that Can be influenced by
advoctaes for a specific lobbying (interest
issue or group, unites government interest groups – interest groups for groups), media
members w/ common governemnts (states), get funds from national (coverage of sisues),
interest to get their gov grants and help local or state government events (bringing shit to
policies enacted. officials. light)
amicus curiae brief – grassroots lobbying – members indirectly do shit political action
friend of the court brief,
can be filed by interest
group or
individual/organization
with expertise on the committee (PAC) –
situation to give donations directly to
context, expertise, campaign are limited
insight to help court to campaign, not directly told by the campaign per candidate per
decide. Also give legal organizer or the mission is not directly stated by election cycle. Raise
evidence and the organizer or in interest group statement. money and spend it to
recommendations and Kinda unofficial where ppl go door to door, use help or defeat other
data. Doesn’t have to media, do all sorts of shit to convince public political candidates.
be considered by the opinion and get lobbying in (common people). $5k per candiate
court. Shows public support, influence public opinion. /election.
astroturf lobbying –
fake grassroots. Big
money corporations or
sum shi can use their
money or influence to
make bot accounts, fake
having lots of members political strategists –
and people behind their people who use
campaign. Paying ppl to Honest Leadership and Open Government Act political strategy to
write letters or attend (2007) – federal law that increased transparency influence political
rallies. Ex: citizen for a in legislative process. Signed into law by Bush, issues, public, etc.
sound economy (Koch requires:
family mouthpiece for Quarterly filing of lobbying reports Tailor approaches to
political views and Electronic filing target demographics,
business interest), Disclosure of registered lobbyists use public opinion to
denied global warming Disclosure of lobbyists who were executive assess, use social
and mislead lawmakers, /congressional officials before media, etc.
public about others
views and shit. Nerfs revolving door. Marketing
campaign contributions Hyperpluralism – too many interest groups, too pressure system –
– donations made to much chaos, not what we want. Brutus – against theory where
political too strong gov (tyranny and oppression), but organized special
candidate/party to hyperpluralism is gridlock and ineffective interest groups
support campaign. governance, like the articles of confederation. dominate government.
Limits on how much an Apply pressure on
individual can donate or officials, then get stuff
PAC can donate but passed. Elites tend to
SUPERPACS dominate w/ more
(independent stuff
expenditure only PAC)
can do unlimited
donations if they don’t
coordinate with
campaign. Campaign
finance, FEC regulates
tehse. These are clutch
for advertising,
analyzing for data or
studies, public poll,s
etc.
candidate ratings –
public ratings of
candidates in polls. High Protest – public
candidate ratings inside/direct lobbying – efforts to influence demonstration voicing
means public likes you, policy through DM or direct contact with discontent. May not
more influence and get policymakers/staff, talking, doing favors, giving break the law (civil
more stuff passed. info, shit like that disobedience might)
Citizens United v. FEC –
Ad shading Hilary, CU
sued bc its free speech
to shit on hilary
(violated mccain
finegold or BCRA act bc
30 to 60 days before
electioneering). Buckly
V. Valeo – spending
money is free speech,
can’t limit free speech
through ad spending by
independents, so split
decision is CU is right,
unlimited
uncoordinated
contributions by
SUPERPACS but limited
PACS still.

Problem: $$ will public good – every

dominate, elitism not member of society can
good! Interest group – see advocacy group. use and benefit from.
civil disobedience – iron triangle – bureaucracy (exec), interest public interest groups
peacefully breaking groups, congress do favors for each other and – organization of ppl
laws, part of social benefit each other to collaborate. sharing common
movements interest/goal trying to
influence public policy

Benefit SOCIETTY as a
whole. Collective good
civil society – non
government
organization or group,
has values.
issue network – web of relationships with radical activism –
Like church, hoods, interest groups, gov officials, etc. ALLIED over direct action and
NGOs (red cross), public policy issue. protest that uses high
professionals risk and direct action.
SHARED interests and Fluid, not rigid membership, broader collab and Like: throwing soup on
values more diverse. Can be more effective. paintings.
collective action – group
efforts to achieve goal,
members collaborating
to get something done
for policy or their revolving door – where
interest group, etc. (get former politicians get
someone elected, etc) Lobbying – trying to influence politicians to get the bag by becoming
ur policies through lobbyists
Mobilization – rallying or organizing
Collective good – for inidvidauls/groups, for advocacy. Can use media selective/incentive
the good of society and or other shit to get passive to active participatns benefits – benefits
everyone, interest who do stuff. given to members of
group policy thing that the interest group only
helps non members too Rallies help to stop free riding.
Narrowcasting – using algorithms and target
media to target small audience, show them what
they wanna see to get them on ur side. Rather
than broadcasting same message to everyone.
disturbance theory –
interest groups form Tailoring content through cable news, channels single-issue groups –
partly to counteract or platforms, for specific demographics or only focus on one issue
other group efforts poulation like gun rights.
economic interest net neutrality – not a thing anymore bc trump, social capital – value of
groups – interest groups was when internet service providers could not network of
 whose members want relationships and
economic change, like resources to help ppl
tax cuts, lower tariffs show preference based on bandwith charge to work together.
etc. benefitting different sites and make them load faster. All Connections u have
members ISPS should treat all traffic equally. with others.
elitist theory – small social movements –
amount of elites with $ collective effort by
$ amek majority of group of ppl to enact
deciisons, not nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) – private change in society,
democratic elite groups independent of gov. Address various advocate for policies
controls everything issues. Any non gov organization ig and shit.
equal opportunity
groups – organizations
that advocate for fair Occupy Wall Street – social movement failed, solidarity/unity –
just treatment of where ppl wanted to blame wall street for meeting and
everyone. Civil rights, economic crash but didn’t spread the word right, connecting with other
BLM, Women, etc. too confusing for ppl. Left wing populist. Gov ppl like u, alliance in a
Disabled, Labor Unions, failed to do anything but bailed out wealthy and group. Mutual support
Social justice, etc. coporations, screwed over poor to get common goal.
trade associations –
interest
Factions – groups that group/economic group
form and fight against of businesses in a
each other. Fed 10 specific industry or
things strong central trade. Farmers
gov and lots of factions outside/indirect action – lobbying to influence association, bankers
will regulate this public opinion and grassroots, rather than direct association
problem. contact w policymakers (professionals)
free rider problem – ppl
don’t need to join transactions theory –
interest groups if interest groups need
everyone gets benefits to accomplish goal,
(collective good), so ppl make transactions with
free ride and get free others to do so.
stuff while other participatory democracy – citizens participate
members of interest individually and vote for their preferred policies, Policies are results of
groups pay for public no representatives. Just where citizens transactions of political
good. participate and engage in politics. actors.
Watchdog – role
played by media,
investigating and
keeping politicians
accountable
Essential Documents and Cases from this chapter:
Citizens United v. FEC, Federalist 10

Test Yourself: Review the practice questions on pages 500-506.