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Popular Participation: Exercise 2 - Types and activities of interest groups


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  Passage 3 of 3
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Activities of Interest Groups

     The main method interest groups use to try to influence public policy is direct lobbying. When people lobby, they try to convince legislators (lawmakers), their staff, or anyone with influence to vote for or against a particular bill. Lobbyists spend much of their time speaking to members of congressional committees who deal with issues that are important to the interest group. In the process of trying to persuade those who make policy, lobbyists also provide government officials with valuable information about a specific topic.

     Grassroots lobbying is an indirect method of lobbying, which is often used by ideological groups to pressure policymakers to vote in favor of their organization's goals. Grassroots lobbying consists of group members or the public sending letters, emails and making calls to representatives and senators. For example, an ideological group called Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) was extremely successful in influencing governmental officials to introduce stricter laws against drunk driving through grassroots lobbying methods.

     Lawsuits are another indirect method lobbyists use to influence policy. Even though direct lobbying is not permitted in courts, lobbyists can influence policy through lawsuits. For example, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was successful in ending segregation (separate facilities for Whites and Blacks) through a lawsuit.

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