Question

Summarize the three main effects of third parties on American politics. How is a special issue interest group like the AARP different from an organized labor interest group? Summarize three main things interest groups do to get laws passed in their favor. Members of Congress get benefits from lobbyists. What are they?

Answer 1

Third parties face many obstacles in the United States. In all states, the Democratic and Republican candidates automatically get on the ballot, whereas third-party candidates usually have to get thousands of signatures on petitions just to be listed on the ballot. The state and federal governments, which make rules governing elections, are composed of elected Democratic and Republican officials, who have a strong incentive to protect the existing duopoly. Also, third-party candidates often face financial difficulties because a party must have received at least 5 percent of the vote in the previous election in order to qualify for federal funds.

Answer 2

1. Third parties offer an alternative to voters who don’t want to support either of the major parties. They’ve given political leaders insight into the real concerns of voters. Finally, they’ve sometimes affected the outcome of national elections.

2. Generally, special issues groups address issues of broad public concern. For example, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) addresses the concerns of older people. The National Rifle Association addresses the public's right to bear arms. Organized labor interest groups, on the other hand, are focused on getting a fair slice of the economic pie. They first formed to oppose the power of business owners and managers. Teacher and government worker unions try to get a fair deal from governments that own and manage their labor.

3. Interest groups try to get laws passed in their favor through member education, using the media, and hiring lobbyists.

4. Senators and representatives use lobbyists as a source of information. Lobbyists help them know what voters are interested in. They also help explain some of the many bills that legislators must read and understand.