Elections, Parties, and Pressure Groups
Session 14: Lobbying and Interest Groups

Materials

• Textbook
• Political Cartoon: How Much Do You Figure This One Will Cost? (Attachment H)

Instructional Activities

1. Vocabulary Quiz: Call out the terms studied to date and ask students to spell them on paper. After all of the words are given, provide time for students to define terms.
   
   
2. Show a transparency of the political cartoon titled “How Much Do You Figure This One Will Cost?” (Attachment H). Ask students to analyze the cartoon, using the guide presented during Session 5.
   
   
3. Discuss what the cartoonist is saying about the actions of lobbyists and interest groups. Explain that this is a pessimistic view of the role of these groups.
   
   
4. Explain the ways individuals influence public policy.
   
   
5. Define the term lobbying as seeking to influence legislators to introduce or vote for or against a bill.
   
   
6. Explain the ways interest groups influence public policy by:
   •    Identifying issues.
   •    Making political contributions.
   •    Lobbying government officials.
   
   
7. Explain the ways individuals influence public policy by:
   •    Participating in politics (voting, campaigning).
   •    Expressing opinions (lobbying, demonstrating, writing letters).
   •    Joining interest groups.