Teaching Ideas for Chapter 11:
Interest Groups
Ask your class to distinguish between the problems of honest lobbying and dishonest lobbying. Suggest that they read the beginning segment of the chapter in preparation for this discussion.
As a library assignment, have your class look up early news reports detailing Ralph Nader's fight with General Motors. Ask for an assessment of how they think the public (and Congress) would react to a similar situation today, contrasted with the original reaction. If Nader's Unsafe at Any Speed is still available in your library, place it on reserve so that interested students can examine it.
Ask students what groups they belong to. Are any of these interest groups? Have students who belong to an interest group describe what it is, why they joined, and what benefits they receive from group membership. Then assign students to identify what groups represent their interests as students. Does it matter whether they are members of those groups or not?