Evaluating interest groups:

find one economic interest group and one public interest group. Identify the structure of the interest group. Who compromises the membership and what tactics did they employ? then reflect on the benefits and drawbacks of interest group power.

EXAMPLE: For example, the California small business Association is an economic interest group compromise and small business owners in California. In order to affect policy in their favor, they have a team of hired lobbyists that direct lobby the California assembly and Senate for favorable tax policies. The sierra club is a public interest group focused on natural preservation and environmental policy. They are a grassroots organization of activist. In order to affect policy, they use a combination of direct and indirect lobbying efforts. They lobby Congress directly in Washington DC and place advertisements on television to affect public opinion. interest group activity can be used to harness power for both business and public benefit.

The Point of the assignment is to analyze the power and functions of different types of interest groups in modern politics.

Skills: Identify different types of interest groups, explain trends in interest group participation and identify interest group tactics