Mothers Against Drunk Driving: Grassroots Movement to Policy - Essay Example

The paper "Mothers Against Drunk Driving: Grassroots Movement to Policy" is an excellent example of an essay on social science. Grassroots organizations may lack finances and expertise but they have the numbers. Large numbers of people increase the pressure on policy changes or enforcement. The larger the number of people in support of a policy, the higher the need for the policy reform and hence a higher chance of it being passed or accepted. They also have first-hand knowledge of the problem facing them and hence have much more input that may assist the sustainability of the policy once enacted which is very important for any policy (Gibson, et al, 2013). 

MADD has for sure changed from just being a grassroots organization aimed at fighting drunk driving to an institution seeking legislature and policies to fight alcohol use. They have become neo-prohibitionists that go after the alcohol drinkers and especially the social drinkers and deviated completely from the real issues affecting the people. In their change, they have neglected the input of the common man which is what grassroots organizations are all about and are rather dealing with more experts, more finances and even more stakeholders (Lerner, 2011).
Initially, MADD's objectives were simply to help the victims or family members of drunk driving as well as ensure that there is education on the dangers of drunk driving. However, with the shift from grassroots to the institutional level, these objectives changed to enacting seat belt laws and enforcing them, monitoring the court programs on alcohol as well as creating tougher sanctions towards high-risk drivers. The organization’s objectives moved from catering to family to dealing with other institutions, government, and legislations (Carper & McKinsey, 2011). Read More