PUBLIC
INTEREST
GROUPS
INTEREST GROUPS
PUBLIC INTEREST
PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP
ADVOCACY GROUPS
HOW TO START A SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP
PRIMARY PURPOSE OF INTEREST GROUPS
WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF AN INTEREST GROUP?
PUBLIC INTEREST RELATED TOPICS
PUBLIC INTEREST GROUPS LINKS
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SECTION 1
INTEREST
GROUPS
An interest group is any organization that seeks to influence public
policy. Interest groups are found in many societies, but there is an
unusually large number of them in the United States.
This proliferation is a result of;
1. The great number of social cleavages along income, occupational,
religious, racial, and cultural lines.
2. The American constitutional system, which stimulates political
activity, including interest group activity. Because of federalism
and the separation of powers, there exist many different centers in
which important decisions are made. Therefore many different interest
groups can exercise some power. In Britain, on the other hand, groups
are fewer in number and larger in scale (to match the centralized
governmental structure).
3. The decline of political parties, which has made the wielding of
power by interest groups more practical (because the system is more
fragmented) and seemingly more needed. In European countries with
strong parties, interest groups-such as labor unions and professional
societies-tend to be closely allied to parties.
There are two kinds of interest groups: institutional and membership.
The former are individuals or organizations representing other groups.
Typical of institutional interests are business, governments,
foundations, and universities.
Membership groups are supported by the activities and contributions
of individual citizens.
Interest Groups
http://www.socialstudieshelp.com/apgov_interest_groups.htm
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SECTION 2
PUBLIC
INTEREST
Public interest, according to the Random House Dictionary, is
1. the welfare or well-being of the general public; commonwealth.
2. appeal or relevance to the general populace: a news story of
public interest."
Public interest & the government
Public interest has been considered as the core of "democratic theories
of government” and often paired with two other concepts, "convenience"
and "necessity." Public interest, convenience and necessity appeared
first time in the Transportation Act of 1920 and also appeared in the
Radio Act of 1927. After that, these three concepts became critical
criteria for making communication policies and solving some related
disputes.
Public interest
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_interest
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SECTION 3
PUBLIC
INTEREST
RESEARCH
GROUP
In the United States, Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs) are
non-profit organizations that employ grassroots organizing, direct
advocacy, investigative journalism, and litigation to affect public
policy.
Issues
At the national level, the PIRGs campaign around the following issues:
Stopping the flow of special interest money in elections;
Closing corporate tax loopholes;
Making the United States health care system work better;
Consumer protection;
Stopping reckless banking and financial practices;
Ending taxpayer subsidies for junk food ingredients;
Promoting public transportation;
Making higher education affordable;
Promoting transparency and accountability in government;
Safeguarding public health.
Public Interest Research Group
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Interest_Research_Group
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SECTION 4
ADVOCACY
GROUP
Advocacy groups (also known as pressure groups, lobby groups, campaign
groups, interest groups, or special interest groups) use various forms
of advocacy to influence public opinion and/or policy; they have played
and continue to play an important part in the development of political
and social systems. Groups vary considerably in size, influence, and
motive; some have wide ranging long term social purposes, others are
focused and are a response to an immediate issue or concern.
Motives for action may be based on a shared political, religious, moral,
or commercial position. Groups use varied methods to try to achieve their
aims including lobbying, media campaigns, publicity stunts, polls, research,
and policy briefings. Some groups are supported by powerful business or
political interests and exert considerable influence on the political
process, others have few such resources.
Advocacy group
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advocacy_group
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SECTION 5
HOW TO
START A
SPECIAL
INSTEREST
GROUP
Special interest groups are perfect for networking with other
professional, like-minded people open to sharing ideas,
collaborating on projects and building long-term relationships.
Special interest groups can focus on business, sports, technology
and personal development. Anyone can start a group by creating a
theme, establishing a purpose, identifying benefits and recruiting
members. Your group should focus on topics that are interesting to
yourself and others.
Things You'll Need
Charter outline
Meeting room
Recruitment flyers
Website
Sponsors
Instructions
1. Create an outline of what you want to explore with a special interest
group. Include ideas about personal development, benefits and features
members can enjoy and ways to join your group. If you are starting a
technology interest group, offer various free training and exploration
of new products. Take your time in creating the objective of your group
so people understand the benefits of joining your organization.
2. Establish a purpose for your group. Meet with potential members to
discuss the priorities of your group. Identify training opportunities,
discussion topics, ideas for marketing, events and other engaging
activities to build loyalty from members. Translate the purpose into
a mission statement to distinguish your group from others. Visit other
special interest groups in your community to see the meeting rooms,
review literature, attend events and speak with members to find out
what enhances interests.
3.Develop recruiting flyers to attract people who may be interested in
joining your group. Use publishing software like Adobe InDesign to
recruit members. Ask small business owners if you may advertise your
group in their establishments and build awareness of what your group
offers. Start networking with business owners by visiting Chamber of
Commerce events then extending an open house offer to allow potential
members to learn more.
4. Establish an image as a leader in your special interest group.
Provide free articles, papers and prizes for participants, members
and small businesses in your area. Write a marketing plan to target
organizations that may be interested in membership. Use a marketing
mix of online marketing and direct mail to strengthen your group's
reputation. Offer free workshops pertaining to the industry, topic
or personal development offers prepared through your organization.
How to Start a Special Interest Group
http://www.ehow.com/how_8779170_start-special-interest-group.html
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SECTION 6
PRIMARY
PURPOSE
OF
INTEREST
GROUPS
Interest groups refer to various types of organizations that serve
to promote ideas or products. Whether those things are in your best
interest or not, interest groups exist to sell them. Just like a
confident man gains trust before duping someone, interest groups
arouse interest in products or ideology before the public purchases,
votes or chooses in some other way.
Political Advocacy Groups
Political interest groups have always played an integral role in
democratic elections, however today in the United States they
comprise an enormous sector that employs tens of thousands of
workers and accounts for billions of dollars of public and private
spending. Advocacy groups focus on central issues that may be
religious, financial, moral or anything else that encourages
cohesion among members.
Modes of Action
Advocacy groups run political and commercial campaigns from start to
finish. Appropriate modes of action vary for different groups,
candidates, products and ideology. Polls, commercials, public
announcements, publicity stunts and campaigns targeted at specific
groups are the most common media used by political interest groups.
Protective Interest Groups
Some government-created and -funded interest groups serve to protect
rights of consumers, minorities, workers and even criminals. These
groups seek to eliminate abuses of power by corporations, prejudiced
people, courts and jails. Watchdog groups oversee important political,
commercial and financial organizations to ensure transparency and
eliminate corruption.
Commonalities Among Interest Groups
Some protect, many promote and others monitor, yet the primary purpose
of all interest groups is to sell. The existence of a unique entity
with a stated purpose puts that purpose on a pedestal. Performing
regulations is regulating, but publicizing, recognizing and advertising
the performance of regulations is selling. The same goes for protecting
and lobbying.
Primary Purpose of Interest Groups
http://www.ehow.com/info_8347091_primary-purpose-interest-groups.html
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SECTION 7
WHAT
IS
THE
FUNCTION
OF AN
INTEREST
GROUP?
Interest groups play a profound role in politics, business, education,
medicine and other fields that have a significant impact on how people
live. Some interest groups are for-profit while others are non-profit.
Every interest group has in common the desire to push its own agenda
to serve the collective interests of its members.
Representation
One of the primary functions of interest groups is to garner representation
for their cause. This includes political representation as well as new
membership. In terms of political representation, interest groups actively
seek to push their agendas upon politicians so that their cause can succeed.
In terms of new membership, the more members an interest group has the more
power it can wield because its members will have the power to affect the
outcome of elections, for example.
Money
Securing money for its cause is both necessary and beneficial to an interest
group. An interest group must have financing to sustain itself or it is
difficult, if not impossible, for it to continue lobbying and pushing for its
cause. Many interest groups receive financing from donations or from privately
held assets of its leaders, but many also collect money via membership fees
and dues. An interest group raises as much money as possible for its cause as
possible so that it can exert influence over government policy through campaign
donations.
Information
Interests groups have the responsibility to spread information to the public.
Interests groups often have knowledge that the public or policymakers lack,
making them a valuable resource. Interests groups themselves benefit from
spreading information about their cause because it can garner more followers
from the public and can also convince policymakers to take certain courses of
action advantageous to them.
Policy
Interest groups have a built-in need and desire to change policy both public
and private. The American Bar Association, for example, has certain objectives
to define and determine the nature of its role in the American legal system
with its own benefit in mind. Despite the enormous power it wields, it must
still contend with local, state and federal judicial authorities to affect
public legislative policy. Despite having external ambitions, the American Bar
Association also serves as an important arbiter and policymaker within an
entire profession, setting certain standards and protocol for being a lawyer.
What Is the Function of an Interest Group?
http://www.ehow.com/info_8779569_function-interest-group.html
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SECTION 8
PUBLIC
INTEREST
RELATED
TOPICS
How to Start a Moms' Group
http://www.ehow.com/how_2073064_start-moms-group.html
How to Start a Group Daycare
http://www.ehow.com/how_4728465_start-group-daycare.html
Difference Between Political Party & Interest Group
http://www.ehow.com/info_8525830_difference-political-party-interest-group.html
What Are the Benefits of Social Interest Groups?
http://www.ehow.com/list_6085368_benefits-social-interest-groups_.html
Culture & Society
http://www.ehow.com/cultures/
Charities & Organizations
http://www.ehow.com/cultures/charities-organizations/
Other Organizations
http://www.ehow.com/cultures/charities-organizations/other-organizations/
Role of Local Government in Public Services
http://www.ehow.com/about_6610158_role-local-government-public-services.html
Purpose of Social Groups
http://www.ehow.com/about_6118112_purpose-social-groups.html
The Primary Purpose of Public Education
http://www.ehow.com/about_6612278_primary-purpose-public-education.html
What Is the Purpose of the Humane Society?
http://www.ehow.com/about_4578952_what-purpose-humane-society.html
Responsibility of the Police to Protect Citizens
http://www.ehow.com/list_7573433_responsibility-police-protect-citizens.html
Scale Variables Vs. Nominal Variables
http://www.ehow.com/about_6767131_scale-variables-vs_-nominal-variables.html
Social Interest Theory
http://www.ehow.com/about_5467551_social-interest-theory.html
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SECTION 9
PUBLIC
INTEREST
GROUP
LINKS
35 Great Examples Of Public Interest Ads
http://www.topdesignmag.com/35-great-examples-of-public-interest-ads/
Canadian PIRGs
http://www.pirg.ca/
Center for Science in the Public Interest
http://www.cspinet.org/
FUND FOR THE PUBLIC INTEREST
http://www.fundforthepublicinterest.org/
How to Start a Group
http://www.ibiblio.org/netchange/cco/orgstart.html
How to Start a Nonprofit
http://www.councilofnonprofits.org/howtostartanonprofit
In the Public Interest
http://www.inthepublicinterest.org/
interest group
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/interest-group.html
Interest Groups
http://www.thisnation.com/textbook/participants-groups.html
Interest Groups in American Politics
http://www.twyman-whitney.com/americancitizen/links/lobbies.htm
Issues, Organizations, and Interest Groups
http://usgovinfo.about.com/blorgs.htm
National Special Interest Groups
http://votesmart.org/interest-groups#.VJI-Ts90ypo
Public Interest
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Public_interest.aspx
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Public Interest
http://ethicsinpr.wikispaces.com/Public+Interest
Public Interest
http://publicinterest.ca/
The public interest
http://www.icaew.com/en/technical/ethics/the-public-interest
Public Interest Communications
http://www.pubintcom.com/
Public Interest Groups
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/gov_relations/oirpublicinterestgroups
Public interest group
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1285910/public-interest-group
Public Interest Law
http://legalcareers.about.com/od/practiceenvironments/a/Public-Interest-Law.htm
The Public Interest Network
http://www.publicinterestnetwork.org/
Public Interest and Private Interest
http://ingrimayne.com/econ/government/PublicPrivate.html
Public Service Jobs Directory
http://www.psjd.org/
The Student PIRGs
http://www.studentpirgs.org/
Types of Interest Groups
http://www.sparknotes.com/us-government-and-politics/american-government/interest-groups/section1.rhtml
Types of Interest Groups
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/more-subjects/american-government/interest-groups/types-of-interest-groups
Types of interests and interest groups
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/290136/interest-group/257765/Types-of-interests-and-interest-groups#ref913778
U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG)
http://www.uspirg.org/
What is Public Interest Law?
http://www.law.harvard.edu/current/careers/opia/public-interest-law/index.html
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