Types of Interest Groups

Section 2

Pgs 215-220

An American Tradition

• Many interest groups have been founded on basis of economic interests such as business, labor, agriculture

• Interest groups share members• Interest groups take conflicting

stands on political issues• Members could be in millions

or just a few

Economic Interest Groups

• Business Groups- United States Brewers’ Assoc. , National Association of Manufacturers

• Labor Groups- (labor unions) very influential in politics. AFL-CIO, United Mine Workers

• Agricultural Groups- National Grange, American Farmers Bureau

• Professional Groups- American Medical Assoc (AMA), American Bar Assoc (ABA), National Education Assoc. (NEA)

Other Groups• Promote Special Causes- American

Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

• Promote Welfare of Certain Groups- American Legion (veterans), National Assoc for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), NRA, PETA

• Religious Organizations- Christian Voice & Christian Coalition

Public Interest Groups

• Work for all people, regardless of their affiliations.

• Ex: Common Cause- everything from pollution, recycling to voting

• Ex: League of Women Voters