Interest Groups of the U.S. Government
An interest group is an organization that provides information for and pressures government policymakers about their cause and to enact legislation that is favorable to the interest groups. Interest groups have been a large part of U.S. Government policy making primarily since FDR's "New Deal" in the 1930's and continue to play a significant role to this day. There are generally three types of interest groups involved in the U.S. Government. The three types are Public-Interest Groups, Labor Unions, and Business Groups.
Public-Interest Groups
Public Interest Groups are interest groups that claim to work for the better of the public and not self-interest. They lobby for legislation that will benefit the general public and no a small group of individuals. Some examples of Public-Interest Groups are animal rights groups such as PETA, which does not take any official political stance, and works with all types of legislative members. Another example is the environmental group Greenpeace which operates in a similar but more vocally and politically orientated manner.
Public-Interest Groups
Public Interest Groups are interest groups that claim to work for the better of the public and not self-interest. They lobby for legislation that will benefit the general public and no a small group of individuals. Some examples of Public-Interest Groups are animal rights groups such as PETA, which does not take any official political stance, and works with all types of legislative members. Another example is the environmental group Greenpeace which operates in a similar but more vocally and politically orientated manner.
Labor Unions
Labor Unions are organizations of professional workers that are formed in order to protect their own rights and benefits. A prominent example of a Labor Union interest group is the American Federation of Teachers, which is arguably one of the most powerful political forces in the nation, and tends to support liberal legislators. Another considerable example is the American Medical Association, which has a Republican leaning history but now is beginning to favor a liberal leaning.
Labor Unions are organizations of professional workers that are formed in order to protect their own rights and benefits. A prominent example of a Labor Union interest group is the American Federation of Teachers, which is arguably one of the most powerful political forces in the nation, and tends to support liberal legislators. Another considerable example is the American Medical Association, which has a Republican leaning history but now is beginning to favor a liberal leaning.
Business Groups
Business Groups are the most common type of interest group in the U.S.These groups are formed around businesses, corporations, and trade associations who promote their own self-interests in legislature. An important Business Group is the US Chambers of Commerce, which is an interest group that supports general business interests and represents numerous business and trade organizations in legislature. USCC is at times more partisan, and tends to support a specific candidate.
Business Groups are the most common type of interest group in the U.S.These groups are formed around businesses, corporations, and trade associations who promote their own self-interests in legislature. An important Business Group is the US Chambers of Commerce, which is an interest group that supports general business interests and represents numerous business and trade organizations in legislature. USCC is at times more partisan, and tends to support a specific candidate.
SOURCES:
- https://www.boundless.com/political-science/textbooks/boundless-political-science-textbook/interest-groups-7/types-of-interest-groups-49/public-interest-groups-295-10725/
- http://www.ushistory.org/gov/5c.asp
- https://www.boundless.com/political-science/textbooks/boundless-political-science-textbook/interest-groups-7/types-of-interest-groups-49/business-and-economic-interest-groups-288-10870/