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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
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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