PSC 113 Chapter Notes - Chapter 9: Bureaucracy, Political Philosophy
Document Summary
Interest groups: organizations that, on behalf of an interest or ideal, try to influence politics and public policies. Intermediaries linking people to government, often through lobbyists. These groups make demands on government and try to influence public policies in their favor. Their most important difference from political parties is that they do not seek elective office. Interest groups can be single entities, join associations, and have individual members. Economic: represent businesses, labor unions, and professions. Business interest groups consist of industries, corporations, and trade associations. Economic interest groups represent every aspect of our economy, including agriculture, the arts, automobiles, banking, beverages, construction, defense, education, energy, finance, food, health, housing, insurance, law, media, medicine, pharmaceuticals, sports, telecommunications, transportation, travel, and utilities. Societal: focus on interests based on people"s characteristics, such as age, gender, race, and ethnicity, as well as religion and sexual preference. Ideological/partisan: promote a reactionary, conservative, liberal, or a radical political philosophy.
