Video and Multimedia

Click on the following links. Please note these will open in a new window.

Lobbying Timeline
Learning Objective: 13-2: Summarize the historical development of organized lobbying in the United States.
 

Video

What Is Lobbying and Can It Be Good?
Learning Objective: 13-1: Define lobbying and its role in the political process.

Public Broadcasting PBS Frontline: Gunned Down: The Power of the National Rifle Association (NRA)
Learning Objective: 13-3: Explain why contemporary interest groups have proliferated.

Questions to consider:

  1. Why is the NRA so successful in influencing Congress on the issue of gun control?
     

The Daily Show: Division of Power, Interest Groups
Learning Objective: 13-4: Distinguish between different types of interest group activities.

John Oliver Takes on the American Legislative Exchange Council
Learning Objective: 13-5: Debate the role of interest groups in American politics.

Questions to consider:

  1. What do you think? As John Oliver explains in the video the American Legislative Exchange Council has become increasingly influential, particularly at the state level. Is the use of this interest group to promote “model bills” good or bad for democracy?
     

The Colbert Report Creates, Runs, and Closes a Super PAC
Learning Objective: 13-4: Distinguish among different types of interest group activities.

  1. http://www.cc.com/video-clips/dtl1ew/the-colbert-report-colbert-pac---trevor-potter
  2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-kOFpj-geQ
  3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoTCM2Gd_MQ
  4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUYzsO8dNbY&feature=related (1 min 40 s)
  5. http://www.cc.com/video-clips/66y7dx/the-colbert-report-colbert-super-pac-shh----secret-second-501c4---trevor-potter

Questions to consider:

  1. In these clips from the Colbert Report, Stephen Colbert uses satire to explore the proliferation of Super PACs after the Citizens United v. FEC (2010) decision. Based on these videos, do you think PACs have undue influence on our political system? Why or why not? What is the probability of reform?

Backlash Grows to Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act
Learning Objective: 13-5: Debate the role of interest groups in American politics.
 

Web Resources

Lobbying History
Learning Objective: 13-2: Summarize the historical development of organized lobbying in the United States.

This Is How Uber Takes Over a City
Learning Objective: 13-3: Explain why contemporary interest groups have proliferated.

“Good Food” Versus “Big Food”
Learning Objective: 13-4: Distinguish among different types of interest group activities.

How Loaded Is the Gun Lobby?
Learning Objective: 13-4: Distinguish among different types of interest group activities.

OpenSecrets
Learning Objective: 13-4: Distinguish among different types of interest group activities.