2305+-+Interest+Groups

Power Points



Description: We've hit on the subject of interest groups previously, for example during our discussion of factions when we read through Federalist #10. They are groups of individuals united around a common interest that seek to have that need redressed. In this section we explore them more thoroughly.

Goals: After reading through the material above, you should be able to address the following questions:

- What constitutional language guarantees the right of people to form interest groups? What limits can be placed on these groups? - Be familiar with the rights of assembly and petition. Be especially familiar with the history of the right to petition for grievances. - What did Madison state about factions and why they form? What have more recent commentators argued about the factors that enable groups to effectively form? - Are all interests easily converted into groups? Why might some be able to do so more easily than others? - What is the Free Rider Problem? How does it inhibit group formation? How are some groups able to overcome it? - What are the principle goals of interest groups? How do they attempt to achieve them? - What is a subgovernment? What is an iron triangle? - What is a lobbyist? What do they do? What makes an effective lobbyist?