Special Interests Groups - Essay Example

?Running Head: SPECIAL INTERESTS ID Lecturer Define the interest group, with examples. This discussion will surround the basis of interest groups. These are not for profit organizations which are usually set up in a voluntary format. It includes different members who belong to serve a cause which is of a common nature. One must understand that an interest group has a clear cut mission to assert control through influence within the public policy realms. In essence, the interest groups do not look to play an active part within the political control settings and stay away from such nuances. These interest groups lobby the members within legislative bodies so that the work domains are bolstered for the sake of the political parties. They play their role at bringing about those politicians to power who will understand their cause and hence have a sense of empathy for what they are raising their voice for. These interest groups also carry out secret activities so that certain work areas can be targeted. Having said so, these interest groups have the knack of competing within open propaganda areas where such campaigns are an everyday norm. Since the discussion centers on these interest groups, the need is to comprehend the different types of these interest groups. Firstly, there are the economic interest groups which take into account the varied trade unions, the diverse chambers of commerce and industries and a few other religious groups. These interest groups also bring with them some professional associations which include within them skilled workers like doctors, architects, lawyers and other professionals who are making their mark. The third type is comprised of the public interest groups which includes individuals who are essentially the friends of the environment and are playing their dire role within the uplifting of the living standards of the people. The fourth and last is a special interest group which is more of a subgroup which forms under the auspices of a larger group and has a much narrowed down interest area. It is a fact that these interest groups attempt to do their best in terms of defending the status quo as well as to sustain the same over a time period. For this reason, these interest groups are held in separate vein from the pressure groups which exist within the fore of any society in this day and age (Wilcox, 2005). Since these interest groups have a particular definition behind their institution, their supporters openly raise their voice every now and then. They believe staunchly in the existence of these interest groups which is an interesting proposition since they represent these interest groups and would go to any limit to tell people to come and join a common cause. For this reason, some people believe that these interest groups are instituted to serve a hidden agenda, which may or may not be true at all times. This is because their mannerisms are quite strange to state the least and hence many opinions do come about by the people within a community or society concern (Cigler, 2011). To quote a couple of examples, some of the more renowned interest groups include the ASH which serves as a legal action arm within the nonsmoking community. It aims to bring or join within different legal actions that concern smoking as well as guaranteeing towards the fact that the voice of the nonsmoker is always heard loud and clear. The nonsmokers’ rights movement is taken care of by ASH in essence. In addition, GLAAD promotes and suggests an equality basis in terms of fair, accurate and inclusive depiction of people as well as events within the different media forms (Pallotta, 2012). The mission behind GLAAD is to do away with homophobia and discrimination basis towards sexual orientation and gender identity. 2. Discuss the relationship between interest groups and political parties. The relationship that exists between interest groups and political parties is a source of inspiration as far as the undertakings of the interest groups are concerned. This is because the interest groups work hand in hand with the political parties to achieve and realize what they have in mind and the plans that they have developed. However these interest groups do not play an active part at how politicians make their actual moves. This is the reason why interest groups would not interfere within the political process. One must understand here that the political process is an undertaking of the politicians merely who with their related skills and aptitude create room for dialogue and delivery. However, the role of the interest groups is somewhat different as they give a helping hand and make sure that their voice gets heard within the related aspects. It would not be wrong to suggest here that the politicians know it best how to derive value as the interest groups can just provide the meat for the subject at hand. All other processes and undertakings are followed suit by the politicians and they deserve credit for the same. All the interest groups would ideally require is that their point is heard by the right mix of politicians and is conveyed to the end limits (Baumgartner, 2009). Since the relationship between the interest groups and the political parties is a significant one, the politicians find it hard to do away with what the interest groups bring to the fore. They feel that it is their responsibility to come clean in front of the public, and once they liaise with the interest groups, the process in entirety kicks off. Meanwhile, the interest groups are doing their best to deliver by highlighting those areas which are deemed as the weaker ones within the relevant scheme of things, as far as the society and its individuals are concerned. If this comes about naturally, many individuals would still get up and make sure that the critical analysis for the relationship between the interest groups and the political parties is made apparent. This is because there are secret talks going on behind the scenes between the members of the interest groups and the politicians. It puts quite a few things into perspective as the people feel that something is being hidden and which does not want to be projected by these interest groups and the entire political process which has come into play. Having said that it is also imperative to know that the open propaganda campaigns that these interest groups hold within their fore are also appreciated by the people at large since the interest groups are supposed to have these right from the very beginning of their formation. When the concerted efforts of the interest groups and the political parties are put into practice, the need is sought to look after the positives as much as possible. When these positives are drawn, many other tasks get done automatically (Wagner, 2012). If the interest group members know how to shape up their roles well, they would be able to play a direct role within the political process and liaise adequately well with the political parties as and when required. However if the interest group members stray from their set course of action, then help and assistance is readily available which they should make use of. The end result is based on the premise that the linkage that has been established between the interest groups and the political parties remains a vital ingredient of achieving something huge within the domains of the society, and nothing less should ever be tolerated. 3. Explain how interest groups try to influence the President and Congress as these two branches work together to make policy. The interest groups’ role is specifically drawn because they play a dire role within the influencing domains as far as the President of the United States and the Congress are concerned. This usually takes place when changes within the policy drafts are the pre-requisite towards getting things done, and that too in a quantifiable way. The interest groups work along with the Congress to make sure that the activities and undertakings which go within the draft changes are properly done and that there are no issues which shall make the lives of the people difficult under any circumstances. The interest groups assure their people that they will liaise with the Congress to work ahead with the policy resolutions so that when there is a need to draft in a change, they are always up and available to bring about such reforms and amendments (Goldstein, 1999). One must remember here that policy formulation is not an overnight process and it takes enough time to get through the right mix of people who are sitting in the Congress. The need is to get it right on most occasions so that the people receive the benefits in the long run. A number of interest groups buy advertising space and publish their advertisements so that the Congress takes notice and aligns its activities in such a way that the changes are deemed as essential. It is a fact that when the society faces huge problems within its day to day needs, then these interest groups have to take charge by getting their point across to the Congress who drafts a policy proposal and gets it vetted through the President of the United States. Both the stakeholders find out the strengths and weaknesses that are available within the fore of the policy which has thus been devised. They find a common pathway upon which success can be envisioned for the sake of the people. The interest groups are told about the tasks that are expected of them and hence a complete synchronization of activities and undertakings is witnessed across the board. On the same footing, lobbying is done to make sure that relationships are bolstered across the ranks and that there are no hiccups experienced by anyone at any stage. Lobbying helps the Congress to comprehend what the interest groups are coming up with and how these issues need to be tackled in a head-on way. What essentially happens is that lobbying helps the cause of these interest groups who are always ready and willing to see their issues get resolved, especially under the terrains of the Congress and by the President of the United States (Deering, 2012). These ranks foster a sense of harmony within the entire system that exists in the United States and ensures smooth transition of power from one end to another. Hence this is an important undertaking that deems much attention on the part of the interest groups, the Congress and the President of the United States. Since all these bodies are essentially the stakeholders, the interest groups can be much satisfied with how things get across to the right table and that too in a quantifiable proportion. References Baumgartner, F. (2009). Lobbying and Policy Change: Who Wins, Who Loses, and Why. University of Chicago Press Cigler, A. (2011). Interest Group Politics. CQ Press College, 8th ed. Deering, C. (2012). Interest Groups Unleashed. CQ Press Goldstein, K. (1999). Interest Groups, Lobbying and Participation in America. Cambridge University Press Pallotta, D. (2012). Charity Case: How the Nonprofit Community can Stand up for itself and Really Change the World. Jossey-Bass, 1st ed. Wagner, W. (2012). Bending Science: How Special Interest Corrupt Public Health Research. Harvard University Press Wilcox, C. (2005). Interest Groups in American Campaigns: The New Face of Electioneering, 2nd ed. CQ Press Read More