Types of Interest Groups

• Business and labor groups
o Concerned about taxes, prices of food, housing, inflation, unemployment, etc.
o Try to convince lawmakers of policies that will they feel will strengthen the economy.
o Among the oldest and largest in the United States
• The NAM (National Association of Manufacturers) - lower individual taxes, raise tariffs, limit government control of business
• COPE (Committee on Political Education)- fund-raising, voter registration, support political candidates
• Agricultural Groups
o Represent almost 4 million American farmers
 American Farm Bureau Federation-speaks for more successful farmers
 National Farmers' Union (NFU)- smaller farmers and favors higher prices for crops
• Other Interest Groups
o Professional Interest Groups- influence licensing and training of lawyers and doctors. Represent bankers, teachers, professors, etc.
o Environmental Interest Groups-goals range from conserving natural resources to protecting endangered species.
o Public Interest Groups- goal is to seek policies that will benefit the American society.
o Government Interest Groups- groups formed within the American government that wants policies that will benefit cities and states.
 National Governors Association
o Additional Interest Groups
 Thousands of interest groups have been formed.