The Special Relation with Israel - part I

But first the news:

Two years ago

Israel: Strategic Asset or Liability?

A look at interest groups after Video 3 (showing 1:30-3 and 16:30-32 in class) of the Power Game

This video was concerned in part with pressure groups and lobbies which are unelected but which wield significant influence. Recall our concentric circles of influential foreign policy actors. In an earlier video you saw how a powerful lobby, the American Medical Association, was foiled in its efforts to prevent a congressman from being reelected. In the present vidoe, however, you see other major lobbies, such as AARP (American Association of Retired People) and AIPAC (American Israel Oublic Affairs Committee).

You can also check out a whole host of other NGOs (non government organizations) which advocate various policy positions. Some of them, like the Council on Foreign Relations, which publishes Foreign Affairs, are civic public interest bodies, while others may advocate their special interests but usually in the name of the public interest (even if you and I might disagree on what that means). You may find a small sample of NGOs relating to and attempting to influence US foreign policy on my website mena-politics
 
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Feb 24, 2009
Department of Government, College of Liberal Arts, University of Texas at Austin.
Questions, Comments, and Suggestions to chenry@mail.utexas.edu