...WEEK 8 ASSIGNMENT Interest Groups Professor Karina Arzumanova U.S. Goverment An Interests Group is defined as an organization of people or a letterhead organization, sharing a common interest or goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy. In the American political system, there are a wide variety of interest groups that are organized for the sole purpose of exerting influence on the political and legal systems. These groups play a central role in deciding who gets what, when, where and how in legislative and budget processes. They also play a significant role in deciding which values will be promoted and enforced by the government. When individuals have common interests, it often makes sense for them to join together in pursuit of those interests. When this happens, a special interest group is formed. These groups then compete for a share of the limited resources distributed through the political process. While many groups are formed to compete for economic resources, others are formed to support their positions on issues like abortion and gun control. The limited resource these groups compete for is not money or real estate but rather the use of governmental power to enforce a particular set of values. At the group level, it makes sense for groups to form and do the things they do. However, at the individual level, there are powerful incentives to be a free rider. If a group is pursuing your interests even though you, as an individual, are...
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...Erin Rocker AP Gov Per 4 10/30/13 Interest Groups Litigation- the act or process of bringing or contesting a legal action in court. Litigation is used to put pressure on officials in order to achieve their goals. Legal strategies are used to affect public opinion on certain issues that the interest group is advocating. In addition to litigation, interest groups also use the media to make their stand on certain issues known to the general public. Campaign Contributions-refers to all funds raised in order to promote candidates, political parties, or policies in elections, referendums, initiatives, party activities, and party organizations. Interest groups use campaign contributors because they give faster results than lawsuits or mass mobilization- you are dealing with one person (the politician you are funding); it buys the candidate's loyalty and support; it provides access when the interest group needs assistance; it is more effective on a single, focused issue; you don't need a large group of people to back you up (as with mass mobilization). Grassroots Lobbying- asking the public to contact legislators concerning the issue at had, as opposed to going to the legislators directly. A grassroots lobby puts pressure on the legislature to address the concerns of a particular group by mobilizing that group, usually through raising public awareness and running advocacy campaigns. A group or individual classified as a lobbyist must submit regular disclosure reports; however,...
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...Define an Interest Group: Through my research I found that there are many definitions of an Interest Group. For example one is from out text book the definition is; An Interest Group is an organization of people or a letterhead organization sharing a common interest or goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy. (Wilson J. Q. (2008) American Government) The term 'interest group' describes the nature of association this work is concerned with. According to Truman, interest groups can be defined as groups that based on one or more shared attitudes, engage in influencing political decision-making, in order to successfully implement certain political goals or values (Truman, 33). They usually, but not always, are formally organized. The relation between interest groups and government and society is an affirmative one, although groups may at times employ destructive methods in order to accomplish their goals. The existing social order is accepted by interest groups, and governmental power and its institutions are utilized to attain advantages, protect members, and to fight political opponents. As you see they all relate to political decision making, political goals, and organization of people. In Washington DC there are nearly seven thousand organizations that are represented by politics. These interest groups are also referred to as Lobby’s or Lobbyists. The textbook we use gives the opinion that interest groups are a group of people with shared ideas...
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...An interest group, also known as lobbies group, or special group; is an organized group that is determined to encourage or prevent changes in public policy without any interest or attempts to be elected. Such groups are formed among individuals who share common ideas, views, beliefs, and commands; where they work hard in trying to influence government officials' decision making by presenting their ideas and beliefs directly to them (Wilson, 2009). There are countless interest groups that exist in the United States today, and there are several reasons behind their rapid growth and existence. One is the diversity of our nation and large amounts of immigrants from all over the world; having different cultures and backgrounds which lead to different views and expectations of the government. Another factor playing a role in the ability for interest groups to form is the nature of our decentralized political system and the manner in which the Constitution was written; giving citizens the freedom and many rights that other countries do not have. Since the Constitution gives people the power to choose who and how the nation should be governed, it gives them access to politicians and those holding seats in office, to demand and have the freedom to speak up about their expectations of their leaders. And lastly, the weakness of our political parties help set the stage for more and more interest groups to arise; using both areas of strength and weakness of each political party to influence...
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...The Role of Special Interest Groups in U.S. Elections INTRODUCTION According to Jeffrey Berry of The Interest Group Society, "an interest group is an organized body of individuals who share some goals and who try to influence public policy" (Hays). These groups allow citizens to make their ideas, needs, and views known to elected officials, and with more than 23,000 special interest groups nationwide, citizens can usually find an interest group that focuses on their concerns, no matter how specialized they may be (Encyclopedia of Associations). This paper will explore different types of interest groups, their influence, the methods and tactics they employ, and Citizens United’s effects on elections in the United States. TYPES OF INTEREST GROUPS Special interest groups can be classified into numerous categories. Though not an empirical list, these groups generally belong to at least one of the following categories: Economic interest groups are the largest category. These organization represent big business, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and labor unions like the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organization and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. These corporations and unions usually have offices in Washington, D.C., and represent entire industries (Types of Interest Groups). Government interest groups such as the National League of Cities, the National Conference of Mayors, and the National Governors Association, bring the issues...
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...Lobbyist and interest groups have a huge impact in law making. These people try to lure political officials to change their opinion on votes that would benefit these interest groups. These people use money to take these political officials out for dinner and to buy them gifts. Based on government laws this practice is not illegal and it is only legal when the house or the senate is not in session. But overall “lobbyist are salespeople hired to persuade decision makers in the Legislature and in the agencies of the executive branch” (Ramsey 2). There are not many restrictions on interest groups or lobbyist are doing. These interest groups invest millions of dollars into these lobbyist to persuade government officials to get their vote on certain...
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...Context of the Problem” The History of Powerful Interests Groups and Their influence in Policy Implementation and why it’s Important. In order for the reader to gather a complete understanding of the actual role of powerful interests groups and their influence in policy implementation you first have to understand what and interest group does and how the group works internally. Interest groups are individuals who share the same common purpose and goal. These individuals share the same common interest for their causes; there are many examples present in society and your workplace many examples range from labor unions, religious groups and professional athletic associations. Many economists believe that the interest groups are motivated by two things political power and economic rent. In my opinion I believe that interest groups are formed from the people’s view of a major group representing an individual’s point of view of what’s right and what’s wrong; these organizations are made up of individuals who share the same interest and of individuals who wants to accomplish a political agenda, social agenda, or to celebrate a common heritage within the group. The history of interest groups and their roles in policy making stem back as far as President James Madison and the other framer’s of the Constitution when “they developed a constitutional system of republican government that takes organized interests as a given, and thus allows interests to weigh in on policy-making in various ways...
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...Interest groups are diverse organizations formed to protect and promote the shared political objectives of their members. Interest groups have become important than political parties in some ways. Interest groups influence campaign assistance and direct democracy as well as legislatures in the lobby's beneath the capitol dome. Interest group influence is found throughout California's link the constitution. Such protections are often written into the Constitution making alteration difficult because of constitutional amendments require the approval of the electorate. Different interest have benefited throughout California's current full history. Agriculture interest have remain strong through all these periods. Banking and service businesses tower over manufacturing well high-tech industries have surpassed defense and aerospace. Vocation related associations are routinely lobby stay government. Public interest groups are also part of the ever-growing a mix. California politicians often find themselves in responding to the demands of interest groups rather than governing them. Interest groups vary in size, resources, and goals. Economic groups seek various financial gains our hope to prevent loss is dominate the state interest group environment. Often individual corporations or businesses with similar goals...
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...The National Rifle Association The National Rifle Association or NRA was founded and granted a charter on November 17th, 1871. The NRA was originally founded by Col. William C. Church and Gen. George Wingate to “promote and encourage rifle shooting on a scientific basis (nra.org).” The original intent and purpose of the association was to set up a rifle range and to have annual competitions. The founders hoped that the competitions would promote marksmanship among soldiers. Another facet of the organization branched out into was the creation youth programs and sporting events. New firing ranges were opened and more competitions added over the years. The NRA created and published a magazine, The American Rifleman for members and became more politically involved. In 1934, the NRA established the Legislative Affairs Division that disseminated information to members and asked them to get involved with local and national government. The NRA was specifically interested in laws that included gun rights and the Second Amendment. The NRA established the Institute for Legislative Action, or ILA in 1975, citing a need to defend the Second Amendment from political attacks. The NRA publishes multiple magazines; the most recent addition is named America's 1st Freedom. It was created to “cater to a more mainstream audience, with less emphasis on the technicalities of firearms and a more general focus on self-defense and recreational use of firearms(nra.org).” In 1990, the...
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...Ameer 2 SLO#2: 1 Lobbyist and Interest Groups in Texas Lobbying is widely carried out in the state government of Texas these days. Lobbyists are a group of individuals that make efforts to influence the elected government legislators to divert decisions in their favor. Interest groups are specialized group that support a certain legislation and they succeed in their goal with the help of lobbyist. After carefully analyzing both the articles I believe that there should definitely be more strict observance of the actions of interest groups and the activities of lobbyists as a single association with immense amount of wealth can alter the decision in their favor contradicting the norms and values of the society. eg Texas State Rifle Association (TSRA) is an old running organization with thousands of members and millions in funds, can easily turn the tables in their desired way by buying off legislators. (Legislation 1) This can result in a gun law being passed that can cause a sense of unsafety in the region of Texas giving air and free space to terrorism. On the other hand, interest groups and lobbying may play a positive role as it unites a community with same voice under one flag and can easily provide access to elected leaders with professional services which otherwise would have been nearly impossible. But this can still prove more beneficial for...
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...The informal actors in the policymaking process are usually outside of government, and do not have formal authority granted by statute or the constitution. These include interest groups, academics/researchers/consultants, the media, election-related participants, and public opinion (Kingdon). An explanation of each actor’s general role in health care and specifically in Medicaid expansion is as follows: Interest groups have been a part of the political scene since the beginning of the United States, but have greatly expanded since the 1960s. These groups can be business and industry, labor, professional, consumer, environmental, social, or religious. They play an important role in agenda setting, but their activity revolves around negative...
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...Special interest groups have a lot of influence on citizens and politicians in society. Special interest groups by definition are a group of people or an organization seeking or receiving special advantages, typically through political lobbying. These groups come in just about every category you can think of and play a factor in electing officials, getting laws passed, and influencing society around them. NARAL is one interest group that fights for the rights of women when it comes to abortions, birth control, healthy pregnancies, and sex education. Since 1969 when first founded, they have continued to fight for women’s rights throughout the years. NARAL Pro-Choice America is an interest group that lobbies for several issues related to reproductive...
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...Relationship between interest groups and government: Bangladesh perspective in the light of FBCCI, BGMEA and DCCI Introduction Interest group, also called special interest group or pressure group, any association of individuals or organizations, usually formally organized, that, on the basis of one or more shared concerns, attempts to influence public policy in its favor. All interest groups share a desire to affect government policy to benefit themselves or their causes. Their goal could be a policy that exclusively benefits group members or one segment of society (e.g., government subsidies for farmers) or a policy that advances a broader public purpose (e.g., improving air quality). They attempt to achieve their goals by lobbying—that is, by attempting to bring pressure to bear on policy makers to gain policy outcomes in their favor. Interest groups are a natural outgrowth of the communities of interest that exist in all societies, from narrow groups such as the Japan Eraser Manufacturers Association to broad groups such as the American (AFL–CIO) and to even broader organizations such as the military. Politics and interests are inseparable. Interests are a prevalent, permanent, and essential aspect of all political systems—democratic, authoritarian, and totalitarian regimes alike. Definition According to Wikipedia, ‘The term interest group refers to virtually any voluntary association that seeks to publicly promote and create advantages for its cause. It applies...
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...Lobbyists and Interest Groups in Texas I think there should be tougher restriction and rules for interest groups in Texas because of their freedom to influence the legislature in Texas. Interest groups in Texas have a huge amount of money to spend on political affairs and they can easily control the policy making process. Due to that, the voice of the general public is suppressed as lobbyist spend a huge amount of money on members of the legislator to influence them and make the law in favor of what they wanted. This ultimately means those groups who can spend more money can influence the government to adopt the policies that the group members wanted. The general public cannot fund enough to the member’s campaign so their views and interest are not given priority due to the influence of the big interest groups. There should be tougher rules on what lobbyist can do and their funding so that the policies favored by the general public are also adopted. Lobbyist groups have a huge amount of money. If we people are limited on what we...
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...Interest groups are created for the purpose of putting more political power and influence into the hands of the people. In recent years, however, these groups have increased their size and level of influence exponentially, to the point that many question whether or not they have accrued too much power. As an American, I tend to believe that the ability to participate in the political process is a valuable and unparalleled privilege, but upon closer examination of the extent of the sway of interest groups, I feel that Americans should be wary of such extraconstitutional groups with such immense political leverage. Further, interest groups’ leadership is comprised not of elected officials and civil servants, but of lobbyists whose sole intentions...
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