Interest Groups
An interest group for our purpose is any organization, association, or group that is organized with a political purpose or object in mind. They are also known as lobbyists, political advocacy groups, pressure groups, associations, organizations, etc.
Here are a couple of websites that list them–http://usgovinfo.about.com/blorgs.htm; http://votesmart.org/interest-groups – .VXLuR6Zw0t8
Pick an interest group in which you are interested.
Name of the interest group (IG).
Website address of the IG.
Phone number of the IG.
National address of the IG.
Year the IG was founded.
Write a one-paragraph description in your own words of the nature and purpose of the organization. What is it the organization sets out to do?
Name of current head of the IG. One-paragraph description of the professional background of the individual.
Write one paragraph detailing how one becomes a member of the IG and what the benefits of membership are.
List dates and descriptions of any upcoming events for the IG (maximum five events).
Write a one-paragraph summary from a video about the IG or an issue the IG deals with.
Think about all you have learned about the IG and answer the following questions in an essay addressing all of the following points. You should have at least 2-3 paragraphs for each section: a, b, and c.
Name some specific goals the interest group wants to achieve. What is your assessment of the goals of this interest group?
Are their goals in the best interests of the United States? Why? Are there other goals they should have or goals they should abandon?
Specifically, how does this interest group try to achieve its goals? Do they tend to hold conferences, run ads, lobby legislators, publish articles or books, raise and spend money for and specific things? Different interest groups employ different methods…show me you understand how this interest group tries to achieve its goals.
Finally, has this interest group been effective in achieving its goals. Provide data that show specific failures or successes of this interest group. Think about how one would go about evaluating the effectiveness of an interest group.
Be sure to cite your sources for where you get the information you use for your essay.
