Interest Groups Essay

Are come to groups useful or harmful? sp atomic number 18-time activity groups, also referred to as special absorbs, pressure groups, nonionised interests, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), semipolitical groups, lobby groups and public interest groups, atomic number 18 organized collections of population or organizations whose goal is to influence public policy (511). touch groups is a term that encompasses a variety of organized groups including public interest groups, stock and economic groups, governmental unites, and political action committees(512). Through lobbying, interest groups read useful in increasing public aw arness active consequential issues, availing to frame the public agenda, and monitor programs to guarantee effective implementation. Interest groups exist for nearly every type of person who is allowing to endure together with others who sh are their goals. Interest groups that define themselves as public interest groups seek a collective good, th e achievement of which will not selectively and materially benefit the membership or activists of the organization(512). Today we see examples of this in civil liberties groups, environmental groups, and groups that speak for those who jakesnisternot (children, the mentally ill, or animals (512). Economic interest groups have the goal of promoting the economic interest of their members, for example, trade and professional groups (513). governmental units are the claim and local governments that lobby the national government to develop decisions in their favor. Mostly, these state and local governments are lobbying to attain earmarks or accompaniment from the federal budget that an appropriations bill designates for specific projects within a state or congressional district (513). In 1974, after amendments to the Federal option Campaign Act, it became legal for these interest groups to form political action committees (PACs), or officially registered fund raising organization that represents interest groups in the political process. Unlike interest groups, PACs do not have formal members they scarcely have contributors who seek to influence public policy by electing legislators eleemosynary to their aims. By having so m both different kinds of interest groups and PACs, we see that everyones opinion comes into consideration politically. Although members of interest groups do not run candidates for office, they plough politically active when their members believe that a government policy threatens or affects the groups goals. Lobbying is quintessential of interest groups. The term lobbying is used to  attract the activities of a group or organization that seek to persuade political leaders to support the groups decision (521).When interest groups acquire active politically, they use the technique lobbying to make their interests heard and understood by those who are in a position to influence or endeavor change in governmental policies, usually by testifying at hearings or contacting legislators directly(521). Interest groups often lobby congress by make a congressional testimony on behalf of the group, writing letters from interested constitutes and making campaign contributions. It is no surprise that some of the most effective lobbyists are former members of Congress, staff aides, and other Washington insiders. Lobbying in Congress, as in all lobbying is successful when the lobbyist has a good reputation for fair athletics and provides the people they are trying to persuade with accurate information (522). Interest groups can lobby one or more levels of the executive appendage of government to influence policy by, again, providing accurate information and a faint sense of where the public stands(522). Interest groups also lobby the courts. When interest groups are lobbying the courts, they either use the form of direct sponsorship or the filing of amicus curiae briefs. convey sponsorship is when the lobbyist provides resources to direct a miscue through the judicial system. If a case comes up that an interest group is interested in, but not sponsoring, they can file an amicus brief to inform the justices of the groups policy preferences (523). No matter who is being lobbied, most interest groups have found that they are most successful when grassroots lobbying is put into play, where the masses are certain as to what the interest groups goal is and there is luxuriously public awareness of the issue. In addition to lobbying, interest groups play a key role in the electoral process. Interest groups will recruit, endorse, and/ or provide financial or other support for political candidates to localize voters attention on candidates who advocate policies that will help achieve the interest groups goals. Some ideological groups will go as far as to rate the candidates to provide a clear guide for their members and the general public as to how they feel about the candidate. In addition to simply e ndorsing the candidates of their choices, there have been many get-out-the-vote (GOTV) efforts. PACs are allowed to raise money to contribute directly to political candidates in bailiwick elections. Interest groups are essential during an election because they do the research on candidates for people who would normally not do so(525).Like in any type of group, there have been some cases of corruption among interest groups. In 2006, Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty to corruption charges which led to the passing of the Honest lead and Open Government Act in 2007. The act restricted and better a lot of the practices that had been going on. It banned gifts to members of Congress and their staffs, made lengthened disclosure requirements, and increased the time limit on moving from the federal government to the private sector (529). Interest groups are essential to U.S. government activity in that, through their influence, they enhance political participation by motivation like- mind ed individuals to work toward a common goal. When the right leaders, funding, and members interest groups can take pride when they know they have made a going in election outcomes.