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== What is an Interest Group? ==

== What is an Interest Group? ==

The [[term]] “[[interest group]]” is [[define]]d in your [[glossary]], p. 309.  It is an [[organization]] of [[people]] who agree on an [[issue]], and try to [[influence]] [[government policy]] on that [[issue]].  [[Example]]s are [[pro-life]] groups, [[pro-environment]] groups, pro-[[gun rights]] groups, pro-[[gun control]] groups, and so on.  How many can you name?

The term “[[interest group]]” is defined in your glossary, p. 309.  It is an organization of [[people]] who agree on an [[issue]], and try to influence [[government]] policy on that [[issue]].  Examples are [[pro-life]] groups, pro-[[environment]] groups, pro-[[gun rights]] groups, pro-[[gun control]] groups, and so on.  How many can you name?

Interest groups are very different from political parties.  Members of interest groups usually come from [[multiple]] parties and [[independent]]s.  Interest groups cut across party lines.  Both [[Democrat]]s and [[Republican]]s belong to [[pro-life]] groups, for example.  The same is true for virtually every other [[interest group]].

Interest groups are very different from [[politics|political]] [[party|parties]].  Members of [[interest group]]s usually come from multiple [[party|parties]] and [[independent party|independent]]s.  [[Interest groups]] cut across [[party]] lines.  Both [[Democrat]]s and [[Republican]]s belong to [[pro-life]] groups, for example.  The same is true for virtually every other [[interest group]].

The [[motivation]] for an [[interest group]] is to work with both parties towards a specific [[goal]].  It [[focus]]es on only one [[issue]], or a small [[number]] of connected [[issue]]s, and thus [[channel]]s all its [[energy]] towards that end.  It is unconcerned with many other [[issue]]s affecting political parties.

The motivation for an [[interest group]] is to work with both [[party|parties]] towards a specific goal.  It [[focus]]es on only one [[issue]], or a small [[number]] of connected [[issue]]s, and thus [[channel]]s all its [[energy]] towards that end.  It is unconcerned with many other [[issue]]s affecting [[politics|political]] [[party|parties]].

For example, the [[National Right to Life Committee|National Right to Life]] does not take a position on [[tax]]es, [[immigration]], the [[environment]], [[Social Security]], etc.  When asked whether it supports the [[Equal Rights Amendment]] (ERA), it responded that it would if the [[Amendment]] were changed to make sure it did not authorize [[abortion]] or funding of [[abortion]].  That is its [[issue]], while others oppose ERA for many other [[issue]]s, too.

For example, the [[National Right to Life Committee|National Right to Life]] does not take a position on [[tax]]es, [[immigration]], the [[environment]], [[Social Security]], etc.  When asked whether it supports the [[Equal Rights Amendment]] (ERA), it responded that it would if the [[Amendment]] were changed to make sure it did not authorize [[abortion]] or funding of [[abortion]].  That is its [[issue]], while others oppose [[ERA]] for many other [[issue]]s, too.

Both [[Democratic]] and [[Republican]] candidates can seek the support of the [[National Rifle Association]] (NRA), which is a large and particularly [[powerful]] [[interest group]].  It sends a [[questionnaire]] to [[candidate]]s to see if they agree with [[gun rights]].  It can help [[candidate]]s become [[election|elected]] by endorsing them or raising [[campaign money]] for them.

Both [[Democratic]] and [[Republican]] candidates can seek the support of the [[National Rifle Association]] (NRA), which is a large and particularly [[power]]ful [[interest group]].  It sends a [[questionnaire]] to [[candidate]]s to see if they agree with [[gun rights]].  It can help [[candidate]]s become [[election|elected]] by endorsing them or raising campaign [[money]] for them.

The [[Sierra Group]] is a famous [[pro-environment]] [[interest group]].  There are also [[pro-abortion]] [[interest group]]s and other [[interest group]]s for just about any [[issue]] imaginable.

The [[Sierra Group]] is a famous pro-[[environment]] [[interest group]].  There are also [[pro-abortion]] [[interest group]]s and other [[interest group]]s for just about any [[issue]] imaginable.

About a [[hundred]] [[year]]s ago, there was an [[interest group]] that grew so powerful that its single issue was inserted into the [[Constitution]] by [[amendment]].  Can you name that issue?  ([[Prohibition]] – abolishing all [[alcohol]].  It was passed as the [[18th Amendment]], and later repealed during the [[Great Depression|Depression]] as the [[21st Amendment]].)

About a hundred [[year]]s ago, there was an [[interest group]] that grew so powerful that its single [[issue]] was inserted into the [[Constitution]] by [[amendment]].  Can you name that [[issue]]?  ([[Prohibition]] – abolishing all [[alcohol]].  It was passed as the [[Eighteenth Amendment|18th Amendment]], and later repealed during the [[Great Depression|Depression]] as the [[Twenty-First Amendment|21st Amendment]].)

== Comparing Interest Groups to Political Parties ==

== Comparing Interest Groups to Political Parties ==