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Interest groups play a crucial role in American democracy by influencing public policy and advocating for various causes. These organizations feature structured leadership and shared perspectives among members, allowing for cohesive action. Economic interest groups aim to shape government economic policies, while social action groups work to reform society and protect marginalized communities. Key examples include the AARP, NAACP, and NRA. Additionally, tactics like lobbying and grassroots campaigns are utilized to engage policymakers and the public, ensuring that diverse voices contribute to the legislative process. ###
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Interest Groups American Democracy in Action
Characteristics • Organization with a structure that provides for leadership & guidelines • Members share certain ideas or have a similar perspective that unites them in a common cause • Seeks to influence public policy by lobbying for change by affecting the actions of government
Group Effectiveness • Size of organization (AARP) • American Association of Retired Persons • Geographic distribution (AAA) • American Automobile Association • Cohesion (AFL - CIO) • American Federation of Labor & Congress of Industrial Organizations • Intensity (NARAL - Pro-choice) • Nation Abortion Reproductive Rights Action League
Economic Interest Groups • Goal is to influence government economic policy • Chamber of Commerce of the United States • National Education Association • United Farm Workers of America • American Medical Association • AFL – CIO • ABA • AFBF
Social Action Groups • Attempt to bring change or reform society • Most commonly involved in changing laws that marginalize a particular group • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
Social Action Groups • League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) • National Congress of American Indians • National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB) • Southern Law Poverty Center • American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Social Action Groups • Rainbow Push Coalition • American Foundation for AIDS Research (am fAR) • Catholic League • American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) • Ducks Unlimited
Social Action Groups • National Audubon Society • Sierra Club • Amnesty International • National Organization of Women (NOW) • League of Women Voters
Single Issue Groups • Focus primarily on one issue • Veterans of Foreign Wars • Planned Parenthood • NARAL Pro-Choice America • Center for Responsive Politics • National Coalition of the Homeless • Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
Single Issue Groups • National Rifle Association (NRA) • People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) • American Automobile Association (AAA) • The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence • National Right to Life Committee
Lobbying • Efforts to influence legislation or other government decisions through personal persuasion • Represent interest groups and corporations • Supply info to policy makers • Provide incentives for policy makers
Non-lobbying Techniques • Grassroots campaign • Litigation • Class action suit • Amicus curiae “friend of the court” • Initiative “petition” • Referendum