INTEREST GROUP QUESTIONS Question Different interest groups will

Question Different interest groups will choose different techniques to achieve their objectives based on

A) Litigation Definition: To contest in legal proceedings. Used when: � Lack of broad

A) Campaign contributions Funds that are raised and spent in order to promote candidates,

A) Grassroots lobbying Mass mobilization, large numbers of citizens writing into their congressmen/women about

Question B) Select one of the following groups and identify the primary technique it

B) American Medical Association (AMA) � Campaign Contributions over litigation because more influence in

B) National Rifle Association (NRA) � Grass roots Americans, generally, like their guns, no

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INTEREST GROUP QUESTIONS

Question Different interest groups will choose different techniques to achieve their objectives based on their resources, characteristics and goals. A) Describe each of the following techniques and explain why an interest group would choose each technique. (6 Points, 1 point for each general description, 1 point for showing why the strategy would be used) � Litigation � Campaign contributions � Grassroots lobbying/ mass mobilization

A) Litigation Definition: To contest in legal proceedings. Used when: � Lack of broad popular support, and /or influence over legislation/policy � Rights issues are involved � Success establishes firm precedent

A) Campaign contributions Funds that are raised and spent in order to promote candidates, parties or policies in some sort of electoral contest. Used when: �A group needs access to policy making. � Has a narrow or focused issue � Buy a candidates loyalty or support for cause, increase support.

A) Grassroots lobbying Mass mobilization, large numbers of citizens writing into their congressmen/women about an issue. Used when � Popular support but lacks funds � Popular support lends to strength of cause � Requires less funds � Democratic concerns (philosophical approach). Needs to go beyond influencing public opinion to include involvement/activity for first point; must include how the involvement/ activity affects decision makes for second point.

Question B) Select one of the following groups and identify the primary technique it uses from the list in part a). Explain why the group you selected would employ that technique over the other two techniques. (2 Points, 1 point for association with a strategy, 1 point for linkage to other strategies) � American Medical Association (AMA) � Sierra Club � National Rifle Association (NRA) � National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

B) American Medical Association (AMA) � Campaign Contributions over litigation because more influence in law making than law disputing. Over grassroots because they don’t always have popular support. Sierra Club (Clean energy) � Grassroots have the popular support, people like the idea of going green, OR litigation law are already in place to aid their goals, they don’t need to make new ones by influencing legislation.

B) National Rifle Association (NRA) � Grass roots Americans, generally, like their guns, no need for laws, the right to bear arms is in the bill of rights. OR Litigation against laws that limit ownership of guns. National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) � Litigation OR grassroots easy to win disputes/ have popular support. Difficult to make new laws.