"Advocacy groups, also known as interest groups, special interest groups, lobbying groups, pressure groups, or public associations use various forms of advocacy and/or lobbying in order to influence public opinion and ultimately public policy."
Organizations that try to influence public policy in specific areas by mobilizing members and resources.
Definition of interest groups: This topic defines what interest groups are, their role in politics, and how they differ from political parties.
History of interest groups: It discusses the evolution and growth of interest groups in the political system.
Types of interest groups: It explains the various types of interest groups, such as business, labor, environmental, and civil rights groups.
Methods of interest group influence: It explores the various methods that interest groups use to influence public policy, including lobbying, protests, and media campaigns.
Public choice theory: It is a major theoretical framework used to explain how interest groups operate in the political system and influence policy outcomes.
Lobbying strategies: It analyzes the process of lobbying in detail, including the various strategies that interest groups use to influence policy makers.
Influence of interest groups on policy decisions: It examines how interest groups impact policy decisions at the local, state, and federal levels.
Campaign finance: It explores the role of money in politics and its impact on interest group influence.
Ethics and accountability: It discusses issues related to ethics and accountability in interest group lobbying, including transparency and disclosure requirements.
Interest group coalitions: It explores the effectiveness of interest group coalitions in achieving their policy goals.
Role of the media: It examines how interest groups use the media to influence public opinion and policy outcomes.
Interest group mobilization: It analyzes how interest groups mobilize their members to influence public policy.
Interest groups and pluralism: It discusses the concept of pluralism in relation to interest groups and how it impacts policy making.
Interest group competition: It examines how competition among interest groups affects policy outcomes.
Public opinion and interest groups: It explores how public opinion shapes interest group activity and how interest groups shape public opinion.
Economic Interest Groups: These groups advocate for the promotion of specific business or economic interests, such as industry associations or trade unions.
Professional Interest Groups: These groups represent specific occupational groups, such as the American Medical Association, the National Education Association, etc.
Ideological Interest Groups: These groups advocate for a particular set of beliefs or values, such as the National Rifle Association, the Sierra Club, etc.
Identity Interest Groups: These groups represent specific identity groups, such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), etc.
Public Interest Groups: These groups advocate for the common good or the general welfare of the public, such as Common Cause, Public Citizen, etc.
Government Interest Groups: These groups aim to influence the government's decision-making process, such as lobbyists or political action committees (PACs).
Foreign Interest Groups: These groups represent foreign governments, multinational corporations, or other international organizations.
Issue Interest Groups: These groups focus on a particular issue or set of issues, such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Human Rights Campaign, etc.
"They play an important role in the development of political and social systems."
"Motives for action may be based on political, economic, religious, moral, commercial or common good-based positions."
"Groups use varied methods to try to achieve their aims, including lobbying, media campaigns, awareness raising publicity stunts, polls, research, and policy briefings."
"Some groups are supported or backed by powerful business or political interests and exert considerable influence on the political process."
"Some powerful advocacy groups have been accused of manipulating the democratic system for narrow commercial gain and in some instances have been found guilty of corruption, fraud, bribery, influence peddling and other serious crimes."
"Some groups, generally ones with less financial resources, may use direct action and civil disobedience."
"Some cases are accused of being a threat to the social order or 'domestic extremists'."
"Research is beginning to explore how advocacy groups use social media to facilitate civic engagement and collective action."
"...in order to influence public opinion and ultimately public policy."
"Groups use varied methods to try to achieve their aims, including... awareness raising publicity stunts."
"...including... polls, research, and policy briefings."
"Some groups are supported or backed by powerful business or political interests..."
"Some groups, generally ones with less financial resources, may use direct action and civil disobedience."
"Some powerful advocacy groups have been accused of manipulating the democratic system for narrow commercial gain...corruption, fraud, bribery, influence peddling, and other serious crimes."
"Advocacy groups, also known as interest groups, special interest groups, lobbying groups, pressure groups, or public associations..."
"Motives for action may be based on political, economic, religious, moral, commercial or common good-based positions."
"...including... media campaigns, awareness raising publicity stunts..."
"...in order to influence public opinion and ultimately public policy."
"Some have developed into important social, political institutions or social movements."