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Select an interest group (AARP, AHIP, Coalition for Health Services Research, Emergency Nurses Association, Pharma)
Discuss how they are pushing their agenda (i.e., mechanisms used to influence policy makers), key obstacles, and spending (consult the Center for Responsible Politics, www.opensecrets.org)
Investigate the interest group’s website and review their position statements, testimony, and consult media reports to obtain more information on the group’s lobbying efforts.
It could be argued that interest groups are an important and valuable part of the political process because they provide citizens with more effective representation. Others might argue that interest groups and interest group politics mostly increase the political clout of the richest and most powerful individuals and interests. What are the bases for these contending arguments; overall do you think interest groups are good or bad for the political system in California? What, if any, reforms would you recommend, and if not, why not?
It could be argued that interest groups are an important and valuable part of the political process because they provide citizens with more effective representation. Others might argue that interest groups and interest group politics mostly increase the political clout of the richest and most powerful individuals and interests. What are the bases for these contending arguments; overall do you think interest groups are good or bad for the political system in California? What, if any, reforms would you recommend, and if not, why not?
It could be argued that interest groups are an important and valuable part of the political process because they provide citizens with more effective representation. Others might argue that interest groups and interest group politics mostly increase the political clout of the richest and most powerful individuals and interests. What are the bases for these contending arguments; overall do you think interest groups are good or bad for the political system in California? What, if any, reforms would you recommend, and if not, why not?
Pick one (1) interest group whose agenda you like and one (1) you disagree with to research. Start by finding the homepage for each interest group on the internet. Conduct further web-based research to see what news sources have reported about the two interest groups, what some of their recent activities have been, which politicians they support, which politicians they oppose, and so on.
Important Reminder
Remember to put the work in your own words unless you’re directly quoting one of your sources. Copying and pasting someone else’s work is considered plagiarism and is unacceptable. Always provide sources where you got your information. The point of a project like this is to get you comfortable researching complex issues and making an argument using the work of experts to support your argument.
Assignment Instructions
With this project you’ll answer some essential questions as you organize your findings.
Respond to the items below:
Different interest groups will choose different techniques to achieve their objectives based on their resources, characteristics and goals.
Describe each of the following techniques and explain why an interest group would choose each technique.
Litigation
Campaign contributions
Grassroots lobbying/mass mobilization
Age
Education
Identify one current government electoral requirement that decreases voter turnout.
Explain how it decreases voter turnout.
Identify one linkage institution other than elections and explain two ways it connects citizens to government.
E2- Initially the US Constitution did little to protect citizens from actions of the states. In the 20th century, the Supreme Court interpreted the Constitution to protect the rights of citizens from state governments in a process referred to as incorporation.