Social & Political Sciences
Interest Groups
Select an issue that’s important in America today, and choose an interest group that has taken on that issue. What tactics and methods do they use to influence policy?
Make sure to include a news article from the last eight weeks of this group in action. Do not get sidetracked in discussions about the issue they support. Stay focused on their tactics and methods
Interest Groups
An issue that is a bit sensitive in America today is the lobbying of government officials. Interest groups have tried to be part of the lobby, and their main goal has been to influence government officials to promote specific policies in their favor. An example is how the presidential candidates are provided with financial aid and campaign support by these interest groups in the United States. There are various interest groups, and each has specific strategies to establish stronger ties with the government officials to ensure their plan is fulfilled.
Interest groups’ tactics are testifying at committee hearings, providing the staff with necessary details, and even writing the legislation (Holyoke, 2020). They normally don’t force the senators to vote for the bill with conditions. They are swift professionals who will explain why the bill is important to the constituency and its impact on the state. They use a specific person who is politically connected to get in touch with the senator. The interest groups also influence policies by marshaling the constituents and appealing to support from the public.
The groups urge their members to choose or write their senator and representative or call them a day before making an important vote (Fagan et al., 2021). They use direct mail to reach people who are not members. They solicit their backing for contributions and policies. Some groups like the AFL-CIO, MADD, and NRLC organize protests and demonstrations to get media attention as a platform to publicize their cause. They directly help candidates who support them by giving them campaign workers and sending their people to vote. They publicly endorse candidates for office and give them funds for their campaigns. Generally, the interest groups have to direct a role depending on their relationship with government officials.
References
Holyoke, T. T. (2020). Interest groups and lobbying: pursuing political interests in America. Routledge.
Fagan, E. J., McGee, Z. A., & Thomas, H. F. (2021). The power of the party: Conflict expansion and the agenda diversity of interest groups. Political Research Quarterly, 74(1), 90-102.
