Essay on Political Party and Party

Submitted By shaz246
Words: 9925
Pages: 40
Open Document
Chapter Seven Outline

INTEREST GROUPS

I. What is an Interest Group?. (What are its basic characteristics?)

A. Formal Membership-They have annual registration. Members pay dues. The group has rules and bylaws to govern the organization.

B. Narrow Policy Focus-Interest groups are based on a narrow agenda. They specialize on a single narrow goal such as civil rights, women's rights, workers (unions), environmentalism, etc.

C. Highly Cohesive Membership-Many interest groups have a small yet highly dedicated membership. People do not join a group and contribute time and money to it without developing a strong attachment to the group.

D. They seek to influence policy, not gain control of government through the electoral process. They influence policy by using various lobbying methods. They endorse candidates, they sponsor legislation, they raise public awareness of issues they are concerned with.

II. Reason for Interest Group Proliferation

A. Pluralism-Ours is a pluralistic society made up of various people with different beliefs, values, and opinions. James Madison recognized the diverse nature of our society in Federalist #10. Alexis DeTocqueville also commented on the US as a Nation of Joiners (people free to pursue their interests by creating organizations to realize their goals) when he wrote "Democracy in America."

B. The First Amendment to the Constitution grants people the fundamental rights of free speech and press and the rights of assembly and to petition the government for redress of grievances. Given these rights it is only natural for people with the guarantees of free speech and assembly to organize into groups to pursue their goals.

C. Interest groups being more narrowly focused and with a highly dedicated membership are more likely to achieve their goals than a political party that is more diffuse and likely to splinter into factions.

D. Since the 1960s, the political gridlock between both major political parties (Democrats and Republicans) over the civil rights movement, over the Vietnam War, over the Watergate Scandal, and many other events since then has left the American public bitter and cynical about the party system being able to work for the benefit of all, not just for the benefit of a party. As a result people turn to interest groups as a positive way to achieve political goals without becoming mired in party gridlock.

III. Why Do People Join Interest Groups? The answer is they want something in return. The following describes interest group benefits.

A. Solidary Incentives-These benefits (incentives to join) are social in nature. People join groups to be around and socialize and interact with like-minded people. people with the same likes and dislikes and attitudes and beliefs tend to migrate to each other naturally. Solidary incentives provide people with the chance for social companionship. For example joining a bicycle club, or a bowling league, or other type of social endeavor.

B. Material Incentives-These incentives or benefits of membership are economic in nature. They are used to lure people to join a group because the the economic benefits they can reap simply by being members. Examples of groups that offer incentives include The AAA (American Automobile Association) which offers discounts on hotel and motel rentals, free towing services if a member is stuck in traffic, hot shot services for dead batteries, discounts on auto insurance, etc.

C. Purposive Incentives-These incentives are benefits derived from political activism by members in pursuit of a policy goal. The collective voices of highly dedicated members can succeed in pushing legislation when political parties become stuck in gridlock. MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) has been one of the more successful interest groups in securing its policy goals to eliminate or at least minimize drunk driving.
Show More

Related Documents: Essay on Political Party and Party

Political Parties Essay

Political Parties didn’t always exist in America. George Washington warned to stay away from forming political parties in his farewell address. He believed that these parties would distract councils and weaken the public administration (Doc 4). Despite these warnings, Political parties still emerged in the 1790’s due to many different views on political aspects. One party that emerged was the Federalists. The Federalists were led by Alexander Hamilton. Thomas Jefferson, leader of the other political…

Words 442 - Pages 2

Political Parties Of Abortion

the group-party linkage. Without a doubt the biggest of these issues is abortion. Other issues are arguably just as important, if not more, but this is one of the most publicized issues, if not the most publicized. Global warming is more of an up and coming issue in this category. Abortion has been controversial since it’s legal inception in the infamous case of Roe v. Wade. Stances of “Pro-Choice” and “Pro-Life” are some of the two key descriptions in the two dominant political parties. As discussed…

Words 371 - Pages 2

Popular Political Parties

A political party is “an organization of people established to win elections”. It is the side of which you stand with a group of people with similar beliefs as you and try to get someone with your mindset that is part of your “side” in the office to help you and your state/country using methods you believe in. There are many different kinds of political parties however the most popular are the republicans, democrats, libertarians, and the conservatives. The two most famous, however, are the republicans…

Words 261 - Pages 2

Political Opinion And Political Parties

Lesson 2, Part 1: Political Opinion and Political Parties "Any man who is under 30, and is not a liberal, has not heart; and any man who is over 30, and is not a conservative, has no brains.” -Winston Churchill Expected Outcomes To understand the philosophical differences between conservative, liberal, populist and libertarian cultures; to comprehend the impact of race and gender on political opinion; and to evaluate the differences between the Republican and Democratic parties. Overview Opinion…

Words 3374 - Pages 14

Political Parties In The 1790s

Political parties arose around the 1790's and became a big controversy within the government. To start off, you had Federalist. Federalist were people known to be for the Wealthy and wanted a strong Federal government. On the other hand, you have your Republicans) (also known as Democratic-Republicans) they were for the people and wanted a strong state government. While continuing of starting a new nation, America had problems of their own. "The French regarded Jay’s Treaty, as an American attempt…

Words 357 - Pages 2

Pco Political Party

REVOLUCIONARIO INSTITUCIONAL) is a political party that encapsulated the whole Mexico in its reign for 71 years, which started in the year 1929 whom Plutarco Elias Calles inaugurated and ended in the year 2000. It had a hegemonic status in terms of political position since no opposing parties had the endeavor that could threaten the dominating party. The History of The PRI was a consolidated and stabilized party, just by visualizing 71 years of continuous victory in political aspect. This report would help…

Words 1007 - Pages 5

Political Parties In The 1790s

the United states the two party system began in the 1790’s. The two parties were the Democratic-Republicans and the Federalist. Each of these parties had completely different views about how the country should be held. The Democratic-Republican party was a party who opposed the federalist, believed in a Democratic government and were more diverse. The federalist were in favor of the constitution, wealthier and carried more respect. During the election in 1796 political candidates were running…

Words 315 - Pages 2

Political Party Essay

The Green Party The Green party originated in the United Tasmania Group, 35 years ago. This group was for a social and political change among the community .However, the Green Party of the United States 2001, deals with the green politics, social democracy and grassroots democracy. They are concerned with protecting the environment and making it better for the future. This party tries to make suitable methods for agriculture without damaging the crops or plants. It is also developing a universal…

Words 650 - Pages 3

Political Parties In The Constitution

voting behavior reflecting the differences in views between women and men. Motor voter bill:a bill that requires the US citizens to register to vote if they want to get a drivers license . Political action committee: a private group that raises and distributes funds for use in election compaigns. Political parties: an organized group that attempts to influence gov by electing its member to office. Primary: is an alection that narrows the field of candidates before an election for office. Single-member…

Words 332 - Pages 2

Political Parties In The United States

Political party is a group of people whose role is to achieve common goals to its members through exercise and acquisition of political power. Political parties have ideological cores while some do not and some represent different ideologies than they did when they were initiated. Political parties are elected by electorate to run the government in democracies. Countries have different powerful political parties for example India, Germany, China as one party state and United States of America as…

Words 910 - Pages 4