The Pros And Cons Of Interest Groups

An interest group is a group of people with common goals who are organized to seek political or policy objectives. However, these groups are unable to achieve these goals by themselves. Interest groups need a political figure such as the President of the United States to represent them and help achieve their objectives. In the documentary Frontline: Obama’s Deal, President Obama makes a healthcare reform that leaves interest groups to decide their objectives.

The definition of an interest group is any organization that actively seeks to influence public policy (Patterson, 2013). The two types of interest groups that influence the public are economic groups and citizens’ groups.

The United States has experienced fundamental changes that are dramatically detrimental to democracy. Voters’ ability to define political discourse has been so diminished that even decisive election results like Barack Obama’s in 2012 have little impact. That’s because powerful interests — freed to, in effect, buy elections, unhindered by downsized and diffused media that must rely on revenue from campaign ads — now set the rules of engagement. Lobbying involves working to bring pressure to bear on policy makers to gain favorable policy outcomes. In order to accomplish their goals, interest groups develop a strategy or plan of action and execute it through specific tactics. The particular strategies developed and the specific tactics used, however, vary widely both among and within political

Interest groups are structured groups which try to influence government to adopt certain policies or measures. The responsibilities of an interest group can be never-ending. One of the main responsibilities of an interest group is giving the underrepresented a chance to speak out on issues they are passionate about. The Rainbow/Push Coalition is an interest group I believed I would be passionate about.

Interest groups can be a private organization or a voluntary association, that try to influence public policy on its favor. There are two types of interest groups, there is private interests which is for interest of its members and there are public interests which is try to affect society. Lobbyists is a member of an interest group and it tries to influence the behavior of public officials. Lobbyists try to influence the legislative process by having bills in their favor passed and sop those that are against their objective, this is possible because they have or form personal relationships with senators or house Leaders. Lobbies usually donate money to campaigns in order to persuade candidates. A PAC or political action committee donates money

An interest group also known as a special interest group or a lobby is an organized group of individuals, organizations, or businesses who share a goal. The interest group forms an alliance in support of their cause to influence public policy and government officials in the group 's favor. The goal of the group could be focused on small group, such as the Japan Eraser Manufacturer 's Association; or the goal could be focused on a large public group, such as family and friends of public school-aged children in the United States. Clive S. Thomas states, "The most important lobbying forces in any society are the various entities of government: national, regional, and local government agencies and institutions such as the military" (Thomas).

Political action committees (PACs) have gained influence throughout political history. However, their gain of influence does not play a role in their acceptance from political parties. People believe political action committees influence the legislature. Political action committees raise money for political campaigns and other political issues. As Elizabeth Drew said, “The process by which Congress is supposed to function have been distorted, if not overwhelmed, by the role of money. The ability of even the best of legislators to focus on broad questions, to act independently, or to lead has been seriously impaired.” This leads to people believing political action committees influence political official’s views on issues in the government. The increase in political action committees are said to influence and help the political officials that are going to run for office again, because they want to get more money from the political action committees for their next political campaign. However, the supporters of political action committees say they allow average citizens the right to let their voices be heard in the political process. Another argument political action committees express is the First Amendment. The people who support certain candidates believe that donating money is an act of Freedom of Speech. Still many people oppose them. There is a bipartisan consensus on the dislike of political action committees. It may be said that political action committees are a

An interest group is a group of people who try to influence government. Each group has a specific target area in which they desire to influence government policy. Many groups are single issue groups, such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Others seek to influence policy in a particular field, like healthcare or civil rights. This usually involves discussion about a range of issues. In either case, interest groups exist to influence political decision-making at the highest levels.

An interest group also known as a special interest group or a lobby is an organized group of individuals, organizations, or businesses who share a goal. The interest group forms an alliance in support of their cause to influence public policy and government officials in the group 's favor. The goal of the group could be focused on small group, such as the Japan Eraser Manufacturer 's Association; or the goal could be focused on a large public group, such as family and friends of public school-aged children in the United States. "The most important lobbying forces in any society are the various entities of government: national, regional, and local government agencies and institutions such as the military" (Thomas).???????????

Special interest groups are a group of people, usually formally organized that share a common concern and wish to influence public policy in some way. The goal of all interest groups is to affect government policy for themselves or to further their causes. A goal they have could be an exclusive policy that benefits group members or one segment of society or a policy that affects a larger group such as the public as a whole. An example of an exclusive policy is government subsidies for farmers and an example of a larger effecting policy is improving air quality. The main method special interest groups use to accomplish their goals is lobbying, which is trying to influence decisions made by legislators or other government officials. Whether a government is democratic, authoritarian, or totalitarian, interests are a dominant and permanent aspect of the political world. Furthermore, interest groups not only play a role on the national stage, they exist at all levels of government: national, state, provincial, and local. Interest

Even though political parties can also use wine and dine tactics as well as social media to influence voters, special interest groups are trying to accomplish one goal. Contrary to political parties which have more of a broad range of goals in mind. Parties also run their own candidates for office, while interest groups specify on one certain issue. Yet another difference between political parties and interest groups is money. Typically, both major parties in the United States are fairly equal in terms of the depth of their war chests.

However, political parties select candidates for the position of president. Parties also present policy alternatives for voters and some voters even choose candidates from the same party for all positions in that election. A party that doesn’t hold the majority in Congress often keeps the party in power from taking complete control. Party leaders can also criticize actions of the President that was voted by the opposite party. They take control on issues and discuss the points of view of others parties, which is important because they can then inform the public about the issues and how to solve them. Representatives usually support their party’s decisions when considering laws and policies. Interest groups consists of organizations that pressure elected officials to enact legislation favorable to its causes. The most common type of interest group is formed around businesses, corporations, and trade associations and part of their reputation for power is based on the fact that they represent about half of all interest groups. Interest groups are actively involved in the political campaigns, electioneering is intended to help others elect candidates who favor their position or defeat those of the opposite

Interest groups have played a large role in shaping and influencing our government and it

Interest groups influence the people when voting for specific candidates but do not nominate them personally. But if an interest group supports a candidate, it is most likely that it is

Disadvantage – the policy agenda concerns or issues of the elite may not reflect the issues or concerns of the greater community.