an "individual or pressure group that sets out to influence government action."
"a committee organized to raise funds to elect or defeat candidates for political office in order to promote certain policies or legislation, often in support of special interests."
a group of "people who try to influence government to support the industry or particular concerns that they belong to or support."
"lobby." The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide, edited by Helicon, 2018. Credo Reference, https://sc4.idm.oclc.org/login?qurl=https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/heliconhe/lobby/0?institutionId=5065.
"political action committee (PAC)." Chambers Dictionary of World History, edited by Bruce Lenman, and Hilary Marsden, Chambers Harrap, 3rd edition, 2005. Credo Reference, https://sc4.idm.oclc.org/login?qurl=https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/chambdictwh/political_action_committee_pac/0?institutionId=5065.
"special interest group." Dictionary of Politics and Government, edited by P. H. Collin, A&C Black, 3rd edition, 2004. Credo Reference, https://sc4.idm.oclc.org/login?qurl=https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/acbgovtpol/special_interest_group/0?institutionId=5065.
Below are just a few examples of interest groups, PAC's, and lobbies.
The link Political Advocacy Groups provides a searchable list of most U.S. political advocacy groups.
eBooks are accessible online, and many are available for download or 2 week check out.
Interest Groups and Lobbying: Pursuing Political Interests in America by Interest groups and lobbyists play a crucial role in how public policy is made in the United States' representative democracy. By helping citizens organize and pursue their self-interests in the political arena, interest groups and lobbyists are an alternative but very effective form of representation. However, the adversarial nature of interest groups often fuels voter discomfort with the political process. Interest Groups and Lobbying is an accessible and comprehensive text that examines the crux of this conflict. Pulling together two areas of interest group research (why advocacy organizations form and how they are able to gain influence in Washington) DC. Thomas T. Holyoke shows students the inner workings of interest groups in the United States. Using case studies to clarify and expand on the issues surrounding lobbying and group action in federal, state, and local government, Holyoke explores how we can use interest groups and their adversarial impulse to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
Lobbying: The Art of Political Persuasion by Fully revised, updated and expanded second editionLobbying is a global industry which thrives wherever democracy is established. This book straddles the globe, from the USA to Japan. It covers the Westminster and Scottish Parliaments, and the Welsh, Northern Ireland and London Assemblies. It examines the lobbying scenes in the USA and Brussels. Finally, the book also deals with Asia, the Arabian Gulf and the Middle East.This book examines and explains all aspects of lobbying in an expert yet accessible manner. Areas covered include:- The historical background to lobbying, and the ethical and regulatory frameworks- The mechanics of lobbying, and the techniques employed by lobbyists around the world- The various types of lobbying and public affairs campaigns- Advice on how to break into lobbying- The procedure for appointing a public affairs consultancy- How to use third party advocates in support of a campaignThe author is an acknowledged expert in his field, and this book represents a distillation of his decades of experience. There are also 'top tips' from some of the most senior lobbyists in the world, as well as contributions from elected politicians.
Lobbying and Policymaking: The Public Pursuit of Private Interests by Spurred by the disconnect between what was being taught in the classroom and actual practice, Godwin, Ainsworth, and Godwin set out to answer the question, ôWas political science missing some key aspects of the interactions between lobbyists and policy makers?ö Built on interviews with over 100 lobbyists, these authors show that much of the research on organized interests overlooks the lobbying of regulatory agencies even though it accounts for almost half of all lobbyingùeven though bureaucratic agencies have considerable leeway in the how they choose to implement law. This groundbreaking new book argues that lobbying activity is not mainly a struggle among competing interests over highly collective goods; rather, itÆs the public provision of private goods. And more to the point, this shift in understanding influences our perception of the strengths and weaknesses of American democracy. Through a series of highly readable case studies, the authors employ both neopluralist and exchange perspectives to explore the lobbying activity that occurs in the later stages of the policymaking process which are typically less partisan, involve little conflict, and receive scant public attention. Lobbying and Policymaking sheds new light on lobbying influence on the policy process, and is an ideal way to expose students to cutting-edge research in an accessible, fascinating package.
Super PACs by The passage of Citizens United by the Supreme Court in 2010 sparked a renewed debate about campaign spending by large political action committees, or Super PACs. Its ruling said that it is okay for corporations and labor unions to spend as much as they want in advertising and other methods to convince people to vote for or against a candidate. This book provides a wide range of opinions on the issue. Includes primary and secondary sources from a variety of perspectives; eyewitnesses, scientific journals, government officials, and many others.Circulating books may be checked out in 3 week intervals.
Interest Groups in American Campaigns by As witnessed in the 2004 elections, Americans feel the influence of interest groups today more than ever before. In races for the presidency, Congress, state legislatures, and even local school boards, interest groups help--in both major and minor ways--elect (or reelect) candidates who support their views. Interest Groups in American Campaigns is the only book to focus specifically on the role of interest groups in elections. Rozell, Wilcox, and Madland show that communication channels--from monetary donations to candidates and web pages for citizens--are the bedrock of interest group leverage on political parties, individual candidates, and voters. This second edition goes well beyond a straightforward update and spotlights the major changes in the way interest groups are now active in modern campaigns. Continuing the tradition of the first edition, the authors draw on interviews with interest group leaders, coverage of campaign finance filings, and election surveys in their extensive analysis. In addition to current data and updated examples and cases throughout the book, new coverage includes: - the effects of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, the first finance reform package in a generation - the rise of 527s in campaign advertising in light of campaign finance reform restrictions - the successes and failures of George W. Bush and John Kerry to woo powerful interest groups
Lobbying in America: A Reference Handbook by A comprehensive presentation of the way lobbying and interest-based political activism works in the United States. * Biographical sketches of key figures in American lobbying past and present * A chronology of the major events related to lobbying in American politics, ranging from colonial times to the 21st century
Parties, Interest Groups, and Political Campaigns by Just in time for the coming elections, this book shows how political parties, interest groups, and elections have become totally interdependent in the era of candidate-centered politics, issue advocacy organizations, and media-driven campaigns. With up-to-date data through the mid-term elections of 2006, this book looks ahead to 2008 in illustrating such important developments as the increasing polarization of party politics, the effects of campaign finance reform, the rise of the 527s in campaign advertising, the K Street lobbying phenomenon, and new media and movements across the political spectrum. An essential resource for political junkies, this book provides one-stop shopping for understanding the combined impact of three major institutions on the future of American politics.