Reference no: EM133607346
Homework: Create an Interest Group
In this course, you learned that forming or joining interest groups is one way that Americans can participate in the U.S. political system. Recall that interest groups are formal associations of individuals or organizations that act to advance a shared interest and often attempt to influence government decision-making and public policy. For this homework, you will create a hypothetical interest group around a cause or issue that is of interest to you. You will establish policy goals and strategize to meet those goals. By doing so, you will apply what you've learned about how the U.S. political system functions and about interest group formation, strategies, and incentives.
I. Your Interest Group
1. In approximately 6-8 sentences, give your hypothetical interest group a name, and describe the issue or cause it supports or opposes and why.
2. What type of interest group is it?
II. Goals
1. What are your specific policy goals? Specify at least 2.
2. Which level(s) of government and which government branch(es) will you target, and why?
3. Is there one political party that might be more receptive to your goals? Why or why not?
4. What barriers exist to meeting your goals? Specify 2 or more.
5. Examples might include the free rider problem, lack of popular support, lack of political support, financial barriers, or others.
6. How might your group overcome each of those barriers?
III. Membership
1. Who will you target for membership and how will you grow it?
2. What sorts of incentives can your interest group provide?
IV. Actions
1. Choose two inside lobbying approaches and two outside lobbying approaches that your interest group will use. Explain how each will contribute to the goals.