Final answer:
Wealthy individuals influence politicians mainly through campaign funding and lobbying, where they provide financial support and attempt to sway decision-making on policies that could benefit them. Interest groups also use various strategies, including media influence and legal approaches, to affect public policy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rich men have historically influenced politicians in a few different ways, including campaign funding and lobbying. Campaign funding allows the wealthy to contribute financially to political campaigns, which can grant them access or favor with politicians. Lobbying refers to attempts to influence legislators directly on an issue, often through interactions with lawmakers or their staff.
Interest groups, which can include wealthy individuals, corporations, and other organizations, also use methods such as direct and indirect lobbying, electioneering, litigation, and shaping public opinion through the media to influence government policy. These tactics can help push their agendas and affect the making of laws and regulations that might benefit them.