Special Interests - Essay Example

Special Interests 1. Define the interest group, with examples. Interest groups are non-profit and sometimes set up in a voluntary form of organization which have members that aim to have a common cause. Their mission is to bring about control through influence in the public policy. However, they do not wish to seek political control under any form. The most basic of their activities is in terms of lobbying the members of legislative bodies with the contribution towards political parties. They work to elect politicians who can understand their cause and have sympathy for them. Also the role is to involve people who can conduct secret and at times, open propaganda campaigns. There are a number of interest groups prevalent within any society. These comprise of the economic associations which can include trade unions, chambers of commerce and industries and some religious bodies. Then there are the professional associations which have within their fore architects, doctors, lawyers and certain other professionals (Tilt, 1994). The third type of interest group is made up of public interest groups where the inclusion is of friends of environment with a single aim towards benefiting people beyond their mere memberships. The fourth is a special interest group which is essentially a subgroup that is formed within the framework of a bigger group and that emphasizes upon a narrow interest scope. Interest groups try their best to defend a status quo and to maintain it over a period of time. It is for this reason that interest groups are hailed differently from the pressure groups. These interest groups have a properly defined intention behind their formation and this is the reason why they are openly advocated for by their proponents and supporters. These individuals feel that these interest groups represent what they would like to suggest to all and sundry, as well as depict the truest picture for their own sake as far as the societal manifestations are concerned. Interest groups are always seen with an eye of skepticism because they have their own intentions to look after. Moreover, the manner under which they exist raise quite a few opinions on the part of the people. Some of the examples related with these interest groups are the National Rifle Association (NRA), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and many more. These interest groups rely on the people within the society to make up their vital opinion and hence come forward. As a case in point, NRA has an interest within the opposition of anything that is anti-arm and is thus a complete defender of the Second Amendment’s rights (Kleiner, 2002). On the other hand, PETA empathizes with the animals and solicits the response of the people within a community to come up with ethical solutions so that moral grounds could be founded for the animals in order for their survival domains (Pizam, 2008). Hence the role of these interest groups is of immense significance within this day and age as they mold public opinion and look to form a basis for critical issues that plague a society in one way or the other. It would be true on the part of the society to liaise with the interest groups so that the collective endeavors can have a long lasting impact on the realms of the society and its inmates can heave a sigh of relief from the pressing issues, cropping up every now and then. There are a number of examples with regards to these interest groups but what remains important is their effort to set things right within the terrains of a society. If this happens, then interest groups will serve their purpose well. However, if this is not done in an adequate manner, then there are serious concerns with their formation in the first place. 2. Discuss the relationship between interest groups and political parties. The relationship between interest groups and political parties is one of significance. This is because the interest groups liaise with these political parties yet do not form a vital part of their working basis. It would be correct to state that the political process is best handled by these political parties and it would be a good omen for the political scenarios if this is left to the people who know their tasks well. The interest groups on the other hand are more concerned with getting their point across which could be in the form of a movement or event. Even though it is the duty of the political parties to come up with their own political decisions, once they get the influence from these interest groups, their task becomes easier (Smith, 1987). Then again, it is not easy to take along both the interest groups and the political parties. Some might resist this understanding and openly advocate against this nexus. At times, this happens in such a way that the political actors and players do not get to know what is being fed on to them through these interest groups. There are open propaganda campaigns which force the political parties to act just in time. Then there are the secret movements under the table which includes deals and agreements that no one is aware of. Some of the political actors and players might know and hence decisions are made at the top most levels. The need is to understand where anomalies exist amongst the relationships that exist between the interest groups and the political parties (Etemad, 1986). It is important to mention here that the interest groups have no direct role within the political process yet somehow or the other exert their influence in such a way that it becomes duty bound for the politicians to follow suit. This is quintessential because these politicians are answerable to their own people while interest groups raise the subject at hand in the eyes of the society. It indeed is an act of being forthright as far as getting a task or matter under consideration is concerned. The interest groups need to be clever and quick as per their actions to make sure that their message gets heard within the most righteous of places – the political agents and forces which are deemed as significant from a national standpoint. Hence the interest groups and the political parties must work hand in hand yet the difference comes about when the two are dealing with their respective chores. The essential basis is to comprehend where their separate roles are defined and described, and how they are able to collectively work towards creating a greater good for the varied domains of the society. If this happens, one can expect that these interest groups have done their job well and credit therefore must be given to them. Within any society of the world, the role of these interest groups is of immense significance and this is the reason why these interest groups are held in high esteem. The political parties just work to good effect but cannot take the dictation from these interest groups. Even though the interest groups may act as helping agents along the way, their roles are such that the political parties have to keep a distance from them so that their own roles are not seen as being dubious and compromising. It is imperative that the politicians manifest their actions in such a way that the people believe of them coming from their own realms. If this does not happen, then the interest groups start getting more and more emphasis which is not something that the political parties would feel proud of. 3. Explain how interest groups try to influence the President and Congress as these two branches work together to make policy. As far as policy draft is concerned, the interest groups work along with the President and the Congress to manifest their due role. This is made apparent by highlighting the nuances which need to be presented before the President and the Congress so that the policy which has been formulated is deemed as an acceptable one – at least from the societal dimensions. Certain newspaper advertisements are given out that sum up the problems faced by the varied sections of the society and which the interest groups are doing their best to project. It is the basis of knowing where anomalies within the societal dimensions are present and how best to avoid them at the earliest (Hoggart, 2002). Also lobbying is done within the ranks of the Congress and its members so that the interest groups are able to garner positive vibes amongst the people who draft a policy. It helps the President and the Congress to work along and highlight the issues that require significance. This is a positive aspect that the President and the Congress undertake because interest groups do not work against the societal dimensions rather the need is to come up with actions and decisions which have a hugely pragmatic say within the people and which leave a lasting impression on their lives in one way or the other. When the President is asked by the Congress to go ahead with a public policy draft, he does so with the consent of the American public (German, 2002). He sees whether or not this policy will help the masses. If it does, it is allowed to be a part of the American public policy. This is how civilized societies of the world exist – in harmony with the people and for the people at all times. It should be noted here that the interest groups can only do so much that it warrants action on the part of the Congress and then the President. It cannot go ahead and draft the policy itself. The role is of a pushing force where the Congress and the President are the final decision makers. These interest groups can make the government realize how the relevant communities are facing the brunt and what best measures can be adopted to remove such troubles. After all, the American government exists for the sake of the people and if the society does not receive its fair share of the benefits, then there would be no use in drafting policies in the first place. Once this is done, the work of interest groups is completed. It is now up to the Congress and the President to look at the counter arguments which could be raised against the subject that was presented by the interest groups initially. Hence an all-out understanding of the subject at hand will guarantee that the policy once drafted remains strong in vision and purpose. This will be the cornerstone of achieving policy changes which would go ahead and make their mark within the lives of the American public at large. Indeed this is the hallmark of any civilized and progressing society and the Congress and the President of the United States work hand in hand to ensure just that. References Etemad, H. (1986). New Sociopolitical Forces: The Globalization of Conflict. Journal of Business Strategy 6(4) German, P. (2002). To Bribe or Not to Bribe – A Less than Ethical Dilemma, Resolved? Journal of Financial Crime 9(3) Hoggart, K. (2000). Municipal Responsiveness to Local Interest Groups: A Cross-National Study. Research in Urban Policy 8 Kleiner, B. (2002). Implications of Concealed Gun Laws for Business. Managerial Law 44(1/2) Pizam, A. (2008). Towards an Ethical Framework for Animal-based Attractions. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management 20(6) Smith, N. (1987). Understanding Pressure Groups. Marketing Intelligence & Planning 5(2) Tilt, C. (1994). The Influence of External Pressure Groups on Corporate Social Disclosure: Some Empirical Evidence. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal 7(4) Read More