Which Best Describes What Social Interest Groups Generally Promote

5c. Interest Groups

When controversy erupted over whether to proceed both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts as single-sex activity organizations, representatives from both groups exercised a grade of lobbying — they testified before Congress at hearings on the issue.

And then, the election is over. How tin can the average American remain involved in politics without waiting for the next election? One principal means of influencing the American authorities is past joining an
interest group
— an organization that pressures elected officials to enact legislation favorable to its causes.

Types of Involvement Groups

Actually, there are three major types of involvement groups. Animal rights groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals(PETA) and environmental interest groups such every bit
Greenpeace
normally organize as
public-interest groups. These groups claim to work non for self interest but for the best interest of the public.

The National Organization for Women (NOW) pressures Congress and other legislative bodies to adopt laws and measures that they feel near do good American women. They also work hard to become more women into elected office.

Underpaid professional workers may organize as groups. Lawyers belong to the
American Bar Clan, doctors belong to the
American Medical Association, and teachers belong to the
National Education Association
or the
American Federation of Teachers. Labor unions such equally the
AFL-CIO
and the
Teamsters’ Union
to protect workers in factories or businesses.

The nigh common type of interest grouping is formed around businesses, corporations, and trade associations. Part of their reputation for ability is based on the fact that they represent about one-half of all interest groups in Washington. People who criticize interest groups for having undue power in government believe that the business concern groups become special privileges for people who already take more than wealth and ability than ordinary citizens. For example, the oil and tobacco industries each accept interest groups who promote their corresponding interests on
Capitol Hill.

How Interest Groups Piece of work

Interest groups transport representatives to country capitals and to Washington, D.C. to put pressure on members of Congress and other
policymakers. They engage in
lobbying, or the organized process of influencing legislation or policy. Lobbying can accept many forms. Involvement groups can bear witness in
congressional hearings. For example, several years ago, when Congress was because discrimination in private clubs, representatives of the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts appeared in hearings to try to persuade Congress to permit each ane to remain a single-sex organisation. Lobbyists too contact regime officials direct or informally, present research results and technical information, talk with people from the printing and the media, and sometimes even help to draft legislation.

The AFL-CIO is a massive labor wedlock system, with over 12 1000000 members in 55 individual unions beyond America.

Why should the politicians listen? Interest groups also actively involve themselves in political campaigns. This electioneering is intended to help elect candidates who favor their positions or to defeat those who oppose them. It is generally conducted by
political action committees
(PACs), who serve as special political arms for the interest groups.

This chart outlines the donations of political action committees (PACs) that represent the tobacco industry from Jan 1997 to June 1998. Observe how the levels of giving fluctuate given the corresponding congressional action.

The number of PACs has grown quickly since the early 1970s, when
campaign finance reform
laws were passed that restricted individual contributions to campaigns. PACs have inverse the face of American elections. They take contributors who write checks to them specifically for the purpose of
campaign donations. For case, if a person wants to support candidates who oppose gun control, he or she tin contribute to the PAC that represents the
National Rifle Association. The PAC, then, will make direct contributions to individual campaigns of selected candidates.

Do interest groups corrupt regime by “ownership” influence? Critics believe that they practise because more than money comes from businesses and corporations than from any other source. This, they argue, gives them a connexion to government that ordinary people do non have. From another point of view, anybody is free to form and bring together involvement groups. And so many exist that there is literally a group for everyone. These multiple contacts brand the American commonwealth stronger, because they requite the opportunity for all Americans to take better access to their government.