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Madd

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Submitted By pam123
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What tools do grassroots organizations have that enable them to successfully influence policy? Political influence backed by influential leaders with the financial capital is how “grassroots” organization are so successful, in influencing policies. An organization is a group of people who have the same views on an issue or policy. Any time someone sees something wrong with our society they grab themselves a group of peoples and form an organization. Then they will go to the government and demand something be done to rectify the injustice, inequity and from there the government make laws to do so.
To what degree do you think MADD has changed over its history from a grassroots organization to a more institutional stakeholder? “MADD went from nothing to a major group and everyone across the world knows about it and participates.” (Theodolou, 2012). This all started when a brokenhearted mother made a pledge to her deceased daughter. She was incensed and outraged and decided to form MADD to bring attention to the growing problem and to make stiffer penalties for drivers driving while under the influence. As a result, drunk driving was put on top of the political agenda, and laws against drunk drivers were set nationwide. No longer were the police, judges, and prosecutors allowed to be lenient on drunk driving offenders. Because there are still problems with drunk drivers the laws are getting stiffer. Isn’t it ironic that the same lady that brought these laws into play turned around and broke the very same law herself?
How does this change what it does or how it function? Well in the beginning this was a non-profit organization so therefore they were able to keep all the fund that were raised. And because of this they can lobby for changes and get them brought about.

Reference
Stella Z, Theodolou & Kofinis, 2012). The Policy Game: Understanding

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