They can easily find support for their interests and objectives in every local community. (Rosenthal, 1998, pp
These testimonies can also act as a catalyst in generating interest as some believe that interest in an issue normally picks up intensity after a testimony and not before it. (Leech et al
And then they get tylosin, which is in the erythromycin family. And that antibiotic cuts down on the incidence of liver disease, and without that, they would all have liver disease probably" because of the effects of corn on cattle (Gross 2003)
those dealing with economic issues, those dealing with environmental issues, those dealing with equality issues, and those dealing with consumer interests. Economic groups are concerned with matters pertaining to wages, prices, and profits (Edwards, Wattenberg & Lineberry, 2010)
Some of these interest groups, today, include Greenpeace, which organizes around the environment, and the Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Both types or organizations engage in lobbying, or "persuading public officials to take actions favorable to a given organized group," as well as "lobbying by litigation," or trying to push their agenda through the judicial branch through law suits (Damerow)
In a debate on the BBC website, one commenter said that forcing journalists to reveal their sources "would be the end of free speech" ("Should Journalists"). In the same vein, many believe that the first amendment protects these reporters (Hilden)
Both types or organizations engage in lobbying, or "persuading public officials to take actions favorable to a given organized group," as well as "lobbying by litigation," or trying to push their agenda through the judicial branch through law suits (Damerow). While interest groups are often promoted as organizations through which citizens can become involved in the political process, some argue that they cause more harm than good, gaining favors that help their organization, while hurting the public (Kenworthy)
Large interest group organizations amass a great deal of money, which can be used to woo weak politicians. One of the problems with interest groups is that "groups are usually more concerned with their own self-interest than with the needs of society as a whole," (Edwards, Wattenberg, & Lineberry, 2006, Chapter 11)
On the other side of that particular debate, groups like Americans United for Life (AUL) seeks to ban abortions, and would lobby politicians in order to achieve this primary goal. Labor rights organizations like the AFL-CIO can also be considered single interest groups, but are also commonly afforded their own category as being labor unions ("Interest Groups")
For instance, the National Organization for Women (NOW) exerts pressure on Congress to protect and pass laws that they feel are beneficial to American women. Groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) or Greenpeace are considered public-interest groups -- their mission is to serve and protect others, namely the defenseless and voiceless such as animals or the environment (Ball, 2012)
They use a variety of tactics, including employing lobbyists, to push their interests. Special interest groups tend to be an outgrowth of periods of transformation in the country (Ben-Bassat, 2011)
Interest groups are often criticized for having undue power and influence in government. Business and institutional interests in particular are often accused of being able to secure favor for their clients who are already benefitting from wealth and power (Berger, 2009)
Special Interest Groups and Politics Interest Groups and Politics Special interest groups are organizations whose members are organized, mobilized and share specific agendas and objectives (Dincer, 2012)
Some interest groups function much like business conglomerates. For example, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) operates with a staff of over 60 representatives from a number of large corporations within the manufacturing industry (Julian, Ofori-Dankwa & Justis, 2008)
Interest groups are very common in the United States (Thurber, 2010). They operate very differently from political parties that ultimately try to gain control of the government (Naoi & Krauss, 2009)
They tend to be very homogeneous groups with clearly defined goals and objectives (Dincer, 2012). Economic interest groups such as business interests, labor organizations and agricultural interests are among the most active and prevalent (Nicholson-Crotty & Nicholson-Crotty, 2004)
They work to gain favor with politicians and legislative officials in order to influence governmental policy. Interest groups are very common in the United States (Thurber, 2010)
Political interest groups often are considered more powerful than political parties themselves, largely because of the influence they hold over ordinary people. Interest groups often also get more attention than formal political parties (Benedict, et
Political Interest Groups and Presidential Elections Within the United States and other democratic nations political interest groups are among "the most important institutions that define the character of the political system" (Thomas & Lynne, 3)
This includes both soft and hard money, with the Republicans out-fundraising the Democrats in hard money by more than two to one: $289 million for the Republicans, and $127 million for the Democrats. (Oppel, 2002) Television, radio, print, and Internet advertisements do not come cheap, and it is rare that a candidate can raise the sums necessary from individual supporters alone