Interest Groups Flashcards
What are special interest groups?
Special interest groups are organizations that aim to influence public policy and decision-making processes to benefit their specific interests or causes.
How do interest groups influence public policy?
Interest groups influence public policy through lobbying, information campaigns, and protests.
What is lobbying?
Lobbying is when special interest groups engage directly with EU officials to influence legislation and policy decisions.
What are information campaigns?
Information campaigns are public relations efforts run by interest groups to educate the public and EU policymakers about their issues.
What role do protests play for interest groups?
Protests are organized demonstrations and events to create visible public pressure and raise awareness about issues, influencing policymakers.
Can interest groups hold government offices?
No, interest groups are not part of the official political process; they aim to influence policy without holding government offices.
Give an example of an interest group that lobbies the European Commission.
Ryanair is an example of a company that lobbies the European Commission to influence its decisions, such as advocating against French strike action impacting overflights.
