Classwork: Interest Groups

a) The fundamental goal of interest groups is to influence policy by influencing policy-makers such as congress.

b) The fundamental goal of political parties is to elect representatives to office and to gain power in government.

c) Interest groups support the fundamental goals of political parties by promoting and endorsing candidates. An interest group has members who will be influenced by the group's support of a certain candidate. This will help the political party to get representatives elected. In addition, interest groups can also run ads and favorable media coverage to support an elected official, which will help that official to gain power and public support.

d) Endorsing a candidate will ensure that those who are elected support the goals of the interest groups. The interest group wants to ensure that the victorious candidate will have similar values to its members. Also, endorsement of a candidate will give an interest group access to them once they are elected. The interest group may be able to gain favors and support of favorable policies once they have the ear of someone in office.