Interest Groups and Parties

1
Interest Groups and Parties

• Interest Groups PACs
• Political Science 420
• Mark Stephan

2
Last two classes, this one

• Interest Groups and Parties where worlds
  collide
• The Rise of PACs
• IGs and PACs
• Buying influence?

3
The Rise of PACs

• What are PACs basically?
• Whats good about them, broadly speaking?
• Whats bad about them, broadly speaking?
• Why do they exist at all?
• Reforms and the impacts (intended and unintended)
• Labors Folly

4
More on PACs

• Links with parties?
• Soft money
• Talking to politicians is fine, but with a
  little money they hear you better huh?
• One-way street
• Citizen PACs and overhead.

5
Having an Impact, Buying Influence

• PACs and incumbency a closed loop?
• Does money buy votes?
• Following the packLead PACs
• FEC Website what did you find?

6
News Flash!!!!!

• 527s what are they and why are they important?
• Americas relationship with Israel where
  domestic electoral politics and foreign policy
  meet

7
Preview of Next Class

• What are social/political movements? Hint not
  parties, not interest groups..
• Pick up handout for next class
• Civil rights movement, interest groups, and
  parties