In the perceptions of the electorate: Democrats are perceived to be more liberal and Republicans are perceived to be more conservative.
In terms of who supports them: Minorities, women, labor, and the poor are more likely to support Democrats; whites, men, higher educated, and higher earners are more likely to support Republicans.
In their political platforms: Republican and Democrat Party Platforms outline positions on polar opposite policies.
In the policy decisions of their elected representatives: Elections matter! Electing more Democrats results in more liberal policies; electing more Republicans results in more conservative policies.
1. Lobbying: Many interest groups rely heavily on lobbying to advance their interests. Lobbying is an attempt to influence the policy process by persuading public officials to favor or oppose action on a specific issue. Lobbyists speak to members of Congress and their staffs, testify before congressional committees, and offer comments at hearings held by executive agencies. Often they provide useful information that helps officials create policies that serve the public
interest.
Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts noted that lobbyists play a useful role in the political process. "Without lobbying, government could not function," he said. "The flow of information [from lobbyists] to Congress and to every federal agency is a vital part of our democratic system."
2.research and policy proposals: Some interest groups carry out research and write policy proposals that support their goals. In some cases, they work with think tanks, which is an organization of scholars and policy experts who study public issues and write articles and books summarizing their research, to carry out this research. A think tank is an organization of scholars and policy experts who study public issues and write articles and books that summarize their research. Interest groups use these expert findings to influence government officials.
3. Litigation: Interest groups may also try litigation [litigation: the process of bringing a lawsuit against someone] , or the bringing of lawsuits, to influence policy. One interest group that has used litigation effectively is the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Lawyers for the NAACP have brought numerous lawsuits to court to advance the cause of civil rights. The NAACP's most famous victory came in the 1954 Supreme Court case of Brown v. Board of Education, which helped bring an end to segregation in public schools.
4. grassroot mobilization: Another way interest groups try to influence policy is through grassroots mobilization, which is the rallying of strong and vocal support from a large group of people at the local level] . Basically, this means rallying strong and vocal support from a large group of people at the local level. Grassroots mobilization often takes the form of public demonstrations, such as antiwar protests or antiabortion rallies. Increasingly, however, it is carried out by mail or over the Internet. Interest groups call on members to write cards or flood the e-mail inboxes of public officials with messages urging a particular course of action. Interest groups have also begun using social media to raise awareness on specific issues. Web sites such as Facebook and Twitter allow these groups to easily spread their ideas and engage supporters.
Recommended textbook solutions
Politics in States and Communities
15th EditionSusan A. MacManus, Thomas R. Dye
177 solutions
Government in America: Elections and Updates Edition
16th EditionGeorge C. Edwards III, Martin P. Wattenberg, Robert L. Lineberry
269 solutions
American Corrections
11th EditionMichael D. Reisig, Todd R. Clear
160 solutions
American Government
1st EditionGlen Krutz
412 solutions
Recommended textbook solutionsU.S. History
1st EditionJohn Lund, Paul S. Vickery, P. Scott Corbett, Todd Pfannestiel, Volker Janssen
567 solutions
America's History for the AP Course
8th EditionEric Hinderaker, James A. Henretta, Rebecca Edwards, Robert O. Self
470 solutions
Ways of the World: A Global History
3rd EditionRobert W. Strayer
232 solutions
America's History for the AP Course
8th EditionEric Hinderaker, James A. Henretta, Rebecca Edwards, Robert O. Self
470 solutions