Interest Groups in 2012 Presidential Election
President Barak Obama was elected in 2008. This was an historic occasion in American history, given that Obama was the first African-American ever to assume the nation's highest office. His victory was also remarkable because of the overwhelmingly 'young' demographic composition of the voters who elected him. Voting turnout has been on the decline for many years in the United States, but has been particularly low amongst young voters. But Obama's younger 'base' electorate has grown increasingly disenchanted with their prospects for the future. "The so-called millennial generation, voters 18 to 30, still like President Obama more than any other age group. But just half say they approve of the job he is doing, down 24 points from when he took office" (Will a Generational Divide Define 2012 Election, 2011, PBS News Hour).

Young people have been especially hard-hit by the recession. Older workers, because of…...

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References

Citizens United. (2011). Cornell Law School. Retrieved December 1, 2011

 http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/08-205.ZS.html 

Persily, Nate. (2010). Implications of the Supreme Court's decision in 'Citizen's United'

The Take Away. Retrieved December 1, 2011  http://www.thetakeaway.org/blogs/takeaway/2010/jan/21/implications-supreme-courts-decision-citizens-united/

While this group does ask for donations through a donation button, donations are not emphasized and nothing is stated about a reward for donating. Located in Alexandria, Virginia, the group is very close to Washington, D.C., although they also state they have been active in Minneapolis.
Feminists for Life (http://www.feministsforlife.org/)

he premise of this organization is that members do not believe women should be forced to choose between their goals and their children. Feminists for Life advocate both feminist and pro-life topics, such as equality, father's responsibilities, and an opposition to abortion. Specifically, they focus on "the root causes that lead women to abortion" (Feminists for Life). he group offers visitors a chance to get involved through campus outreach, where the group is most prevalent. Membership, for a donation of $25, or $15 for students, allows access to the group and its publications. he group is involved mainly in campus and…...

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This is a pro-life organization for homosexuals. Their mission is to "promote a respect for life within the gay community and encourage gay and lesbian participation in the pro-life cause" (PLAGAL). The site gives visitors a chance to get involved by offering a place to respond to the group with contact information. This group is involved in public awareness activities such as marches for both the right to life and gay rights, as well as educational events and support for pregnant women. While this group does ask for donations through a donation button, donations are not emphasized and nothing is stated about a reward for donating. Located in Alexandria, Virginia, the group is very close to Washington, D.C., although they also state they have been active in Minneapolis.

Feminists for Life (http://www.feministsforlife.org/)

The premise of this organization is that members do not believe women should be forced to choose between their goals and their children. Feminists for Life advocate both feminist and pro-life topics, such as equality, father's responsibilities, and an opposition to abortion. Specifically, they focus on "the root causes that lead women to abortion" (Feminists for Life). The group offers visitors a chance to get involved through campus outreach, where the group is most prevalent. Membership, for a donation of $25, or $15 for students, allows access to the group and its publications. The group is involved mainly in campus and other educational activities such as providing resources. While it does ask for donations, the group offers membership in return, but offers the chance to make a bigger donation. Located in Washington, D.C. And Alexandria Virginia, the group ids physically close to the seat of the issue.

Schlesinger defines a political party as a "group organized to gain control of government in the name of the group by winning election to public office" (1153). This is different to an interest group who wishes to influence public policy. A political party wants to control the government and therefore create policy. Additionally, the members of the political party are focused on winning an "election to public office" as the mechanism to getting power. The political party will present members of the party as candidates for election.

Political parties perform many functions and the most dominant will be briefly discussed. Political parties provide a mechanism through which individuals can participate in a myriad of activities that are political in nature. They bring together persons with similar concerns and ideologies to duel against others, for control of political power. This organizing of the political conflict is an important function of a political…...

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Works Cited

Hays, Allen R. Democracy papers: The role of interest groups, 2010. Web. 6 Oct 2010.

Schlesinger, Joseph A. "The New American Political Party." The American Political Science

Review. 79.4 (1985): 1152-1169. Print.

Interest groups are generally collections of people that share the same belief that is at the heart of the interest group. For example, people who are concerned about the safety and welfare of animals may join the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) special interest group, while those who are interested in guns may join the National ifle Association (NA). The goal of the interest group is to further a specific agenda, which is related to the nature of the group. However, joining together for a mutual goal is not always enough to convince people to join interest groups. Therefore, some interest groups offer incentives to people to join them. These can be broken down into three types of incentives: solidary incentives, material incentives, and purposive incentives (Course-Notes, 2013). "Solidary incentives are the sense of pleasure, status, or companionship that arises out of meeting in small…...

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References

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. (2013). Your gift could save a life.

Retrieved April 3, 2013 from ASPCA website: https://donate.aspca.org/Donate/Donations/Website/Website_Membership.aspx?PlacementID=2471481

Course-Notes. (2013). American Government, 7th Edition Textbook: Chapter 09- Interest

Groups. Retrieved April 3, 2013 from Course-Notes website:  http://www.course-notes.org/US_Gov_and_Politics/Outlines/American_Government_7th_Edition_Textbook/Chapter_9_Interest_Groups

Interest Groups
he primary differences between economic and citizen groups exist due to their behavior, outcomes and spending. Economic groups are prevalent to spend in order for maintaining and preserving their status quo. On the other hand promoting change is a primary purpose for spending in case of citizen groups. In cases of economic groups, only few resources and devoted towards supporting initiatives and these have a low success rates in terms of promoting their support. Citizen groups on the other hand are considered to pass almost 60% of the primary initiatives they tend to support. he percent ratio for economic groups is only 22%. he initiatives of economic as well as citizen groups are both moderately considered as successful in terms of defeating the initiatives. Even though there are vast monitory resources, economic interests are severely limited in their ability towards passing new and influential laws with the help of…...

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The primary differences between economic and citizen groups exist due to their behavior, outcomes and spending. Economic groups are prevalent to spend in order for maintaining and preserving their status quo. On the other hand promoting change is a primary purpose for spending in case of citizen groups. In cases of economic groups, only few resources and devoted towards supporting initiatives and these have a low success rates in terms of promoting their support. Citizen groups on the other hand are considered to pass almost 60% of the primary initiatives they tend to support. The percent ratio for economic groups is only 22%. The initiatives of economic as well as citizen groups are both moderately considered as successful in terms of defeating the initiatives. Even though there are vast monitory resources, economic interests are severely limited in their ability towards passing new and influential laws with the help of their initiative process.

Partisan press refers to the press being biased towards one party. For example the Houston Chronicle and the Federal and Liberal press are examples of Partisan press.

Yellow journalism also focuses on a party but is not biased to any one of them. Two examples are the New York Chronicle and The Samajvadi Times in India. 2010 was a high stimulus election in the U.S.A. As it was greatly impacted by the event of global financial crisis and the recession in America. As the elections immediately followed these events, the decisions taken during this event and the several opinions formed by the people formed a great influence to their decisions and choices in the Presidential elections. The campaigning used as well was focused on these aspects. This is a form of yellow journalism and is also similar to Partisan Press. The media plays an extremely important aspect in providing opportunities and limitations to the candidates of the presidential leadership. Media is an extremely important part of the society. It is the medium through which the people know about what is happening around them. Newspapers and news channels are the most important form of media that is recognized by people as reliable. The news and information given in these sources are believed by the people to be true and the information is wide spread due to large circulation and viewership. As the media can greatly impact the decision process of the people it becomes an advantage. Yet, it can also lead to rumors and irresponsible statements that can tarnish the image of candidates.

Money in the Bank
You deposit money in the bank. It earns interest. At the end of the year, you look at your statement, and you feel confident that you made a worthwhile investment. It's the same thing wit political investments. An interest group spends a great deal of money to publicize its views, and come election time, if its candidate wins, it has made an excellent investment. Of course, the views of a special interest group may not be the views of the majority of voters. In fact, this is quite often the case. Millions of Americans favor gun control, or support a woman's right to choose, but few of these individuals have the kinds of resources at the their disposal as say a group like the National Rifle Association or the many pro-life religious organizations. Such influence peddling poses many questions regarding the nature of American democracy. If…...

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Works Cited

Oppel, Richard A. Jr. "Democrats Outspent Republicans in Some Races." New York Times, 4 November 2002.

United States and State Public Interest Research Groups (PIRG). "Paying to Pollute: Air Polluter Campaign Contributions and the Fight Against Clean Air." September 2000.

Democracy is recognized by most ordinary citizens in the free world as one of the most important components of modern Western society. Indeed, many of the issues around which politics today revolves concern matters of democracy such as equality in the workplace, the right to control one's reproductive rights, the right to carry arms, and so on. All of these rights are connected to the fundamental principle of freedom, which is an important pillar of democracy in today's world. However, as Hudson (2013) rightfully notes, there are those who are opposed to basic democratic principles, not only in foreign countries such as Saudi Arabia, where women are denied many basic rights that an average American woman would take for granted, but also in the United States itself. Despite the principle of promoting democracy via the hands of interest group leaders, some have become so powerful that they are able to…...

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References

Barakso, M. And Schaffner, B.F. (2007). Exit, Voice, and Interest Group Governance. American Politics Research. Retrieved from: http://people.umass.edu/schaffne/barakso_schaffner_apr.pdf

Boatright, R.G. (2014). Interest Groups and Campaign Finance Reform in the United States and Canada. The University of Michigan Press.

Hudson, W.E. (2013). American Democracy in Peril: Eight Challenges to America's Future. CQ Press.

OpenSecrets.org (2014). Lobbying Database. Retrieved from:  https://www.opensecrets.org

African ildlife Federation:
Function, Purpose, and Methods

hen most people think of "special interest groups," they immediately call to mind their negative connotations -- sneaky, manipulative, perhaps "buying off" politicians I order to further their shady agendas. However, in truth many special interest groups are quite useful. According to the dictionary definition, a special interest is "a person, group, or organization attempting to influence legislators or other public officials in favor of one particular interest or issue (TheFreeDictionary, 2004). Of course, whether these interests are valid and useful to the community or world at large is often up for debate. In the case of the African ildlife Federation, however, their function, purpose and methods do much to insure the continued survival of much of the wildlife and natural habitat in Africa -- arguably, for the benefit of the entire planet.

The main goal of the AF is to insure "continued existence of some…...

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Works Cited

AWF. African Wildlife Federation. "Overview." Web site. 2004. Retrieved on November 21, 2004, from

In the U.S.A., one of the world's richest countries, a high proportion of children working in agriculture come from immigrant or ethnic minority families.
The numbers are estimates but even if they were to be accurate, the truth is horrifying. Almost, no corner of the world, from the poorest back street of Latin America to the ritziest European can claim to be immune. There are 70,000 child prostitutes in Zambia, 200,000 in Thailand and 50,000 in India.

As delegates from 122 countries gathered in Stockholm for the first world congress on the commercial sexual exploitation of children, the research they brought with them revealed the staggering scale of child sex abuse.

The commercial sexual exploitation of children has become a global multi-million dollar industry. The effects of sexual exploitation on children are profound and often permanent. Normal development is compromised; self-esteem and confidence are undermined. The vast majority of sexually exploited children…...

Special Interest Groups and Politics
Interest Groups and Politics

Special interest groups are organizations whose members are organized, mobilized and share specific agendas and objectives (Dincer, 2012). They work to gain favor with politicians and legislative officials in order to influence governmental policy. Interest groups are very common in the United States (Thurber, 2010). They operate very differently from political parties that ultimately try to gain control of the government (Naoi & Krauss, 2009). They use a variety of tactics, including employing lobbyists, to push their interests.

Special interest groups tend to be an outgrowth of periods of transformation in the country (Ben-Bassat, 2011). For instance, in the 1770s special interest groups were basically independence groups who advocated fiercely for liberation from the British. In the 1830s and 1840s, there were many religious and anti-slavery interest groups such as the Quakers. The 1860s saw the rise of craft unions, with business association groups…...

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References

Ball, J.R. (2012). The politics of want. Greater Baton Rouge Business Report, 30(24), 32.

Ben-Bassat, A. (2011). Conflicts, Interest Groups, and Politics in Structural Reforms. Journal of Law & Economics, 54(4), 937-952.

Berger, S. (2009). Politics by another Name. American Journal of Bioethics, 9(2), 61-63. doi:10.1080/15265160802617845.

Dincer, O. (2012). Special Interest Groups and Economic Growth in the United States. Eastern Economic Journal, 38(4), 434-448. doi:10.1057/eej.2011.22.

Political Interest Groups and Presidential Elections
ithin the United States and other democratic nations political interest groups are among "the most important institutions that define the character of the political system" (Thomas & Lynne, 3). Political interest groups are among other things a liaison between the public and government officials. Political interest groups often invest heavily in Presidential elections. hy? Ultimately political interest groups are interested in having their agenda pushed through during a given session. This means most political groups will do anything and everything necessary to get a candidate elected that sides with their interests. The electoral process as it stands now is set up to ensure a candidate is elected that will represent the interests and needs of the people. Because political interest groups represent the needs of certain groups of people within the U.S., they are an important aspect of most presidential campaigns.

The Influence Of Interest Groups…...

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Works Cited:

Andres Gary J. "Lobbying for the President." In Paul S. Herrnson, Ronald G. Shaiko,

and Clyde Wilcox, eds. The Interest Group Connection. Chatham, N.J.: Chatham House: 1998.

Benedict, R.C., Burbank, M.J. & Hrebenar, Ronald J. Political parties, interest groups and political campaigns. Boulder: Westview Press: 1999.

"The Real Story on John Kerry's Military Service." Swift Vets and POWs for Truth.

As the author and activist Michael Pollan has noted: "The only way you can keep a cow alive getting this much corn [necessary to fatten the animal] would be with antibiotics. And they get large quantities of antibiotics with their feed every day. They get rumensin, which is technically an ionophore. it's a kind of antibiotic that helps with the bloat and the acidosis. And then they get tylosin, which is in the erythromycin family. And that antibiotic cuts down on the incidence of liver disease, and without that, they would all have liver disease probably" because of the effects of corn on cattle (Gross 2003). The CBA is so committed to the use of chemicals in agriculture it even promises to new members that they may receive a free bottle of Cydectin® Pour-on for joining, and if they recruit ten new members, a Swiss Army Watch (Join now,…...

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References

Antibiotics. (2010). The National Cattleman's Beef Association (CBA).

Retrieved February 26, 2010 at  http://www.beefusa.org/goveAntibiotics.aspx 

Gross, Terry. (2003, April 3). Interview with Michael Pollan. Transcript. Fresh Air.

Retrieved February 26, 2010 at  http://www.math.uic.edu/~takata/some_articles/FreshAir_Michael_Pollon_on_beef_industry,_hormones,_antibiotics.html

eporters often get important information by interviewing sources who wish to remain anonymous. Some of the information that they receive, however, is classified, and "the leaking of classified information is a federal crime, although their reporting of it ordinarily is not" (292). But there are some who say that reporters should be arrested if they refuse to reveal their sources regarding classified information. These people believe that it is crucial for the administration or law enforcement officials to speak to the person leaking the information to insure the safety of the nation. The thinking behind this is that the leak may have more information important for competent national security decisions to be made. On the other side of the argument, some are convinced that journalists should not have to reveal their sources, as this would limit the journalist's ability to expose wrongdoing. In a debate on the BBC website,…...

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References

Damerow, Harold. "Interest Groups." Union County College. n.d. 13 Feb. 2009. http://faculty.ucc.edu/egh-damerow/interest_groups1.htm

Hilden, Julie. "Should Reporters Go to Jail for Protecting Sources." Find Law.20 Aug. 2004. 14

Feb. 2009.  http://writ.news.findlaw.com/hilden/20040820.html 

Kenworthy, Lane. "Are interest groups the source of our economic woes?" Consider the Evidence. 2 Feb. 2009. 12 Feb. 2009.  http://lanekenworthy.net/2009/02/02/are-interest-groups-the-source-of-our-economic-woes/

Washington v. Glucksberg (1997), the Supreme Court ruled that there is no constitutional right to physician-assisted suicide. This ruling presented ethical challenges for the criminal justice system, especially with the high-profile trial of Jack Kevorkian, who was tried for assisting in a patient's suicide. Kevorkian was found guilty in 1999, but since then, social issues and mores have changed, and there is new discussion about what should be viewed as legal, ethical and allowed in the 21st century. For example, if a person wants to die, should he or she not have the right to commit suicide? According to the Supreme Court, there is no historical precedent for approving or condoning the purposeful taking of one's life and physicians are supposed to help save life not end it. However, if the definition of what it means to be a physician and provide care changes over time, then the case…...

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References

Hojnacki, M. (2012). Studying organizational advocacy and influence: reexamining interest group research. Annual Review of Political Science, 15: 379-399.

The best that they can hope for is to influence a political party to get behind their cause and vote to have it adopted. Political parties on the other hand, have the power and ability to change laws and mandates by their voting clout.
eferences

Democratic Party (accessed 5-1-07)

http://www.democrats.org/a/party/history.html

Interest Groups (accessed 5-1-07)

http://ap.grolier.com/article?assetid=0216125-00&templatename=/article/article.html

epublican Party (accessed 5-1-07)

http://www.mcgop.net/History.htm

Walker, Jack L., Jr., Mobilizing Interest Groups in America (Univ. Of Mich. Press 1991)....

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References

Democratic Party (accessed 5-1-07)

 http://www.democrats.org/a/party/history.html 

Interest Groups (accessed 5-1-07)

http://ap.grolier.com/article?assetid=0216125-00&templatename=/article/article.html

Policy implementation is the process of bringing a policy to life with the goal of achieving the desired outcomes.  In most cases, enacting a policy is not enough to bring about the desired changes.  That is because enacting a policy is only the first step to carrying out the policy changes; policy implementation is how the policy is actually brought to life.  The four main factors impacting policy implementation are public opinion, economic conditions, interest groups (stakeholders), and technological change.

Public opinion not only impacts whether a policy is implemented, but also how it is implemented. ....

1. The impact of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) on access to healthcare in the United States
2. The effectiveness of Medicare and Medicaid in providing affordable healthcare to low-income and elderly populations
3. The future of universal healthcare in the United States
4. The role of pharmaceutical companies in rising healthcare costs
5. The importance of mental health coverage in healthcare policies
6. The debate over the privatization of healthcare services
7. The impact of electronic health records on patient care and privacy
8. The implications of genetic testing and personalized medicine on healthcare policy
9. The role of preventative care and public health initiatives in reducing....

1. The Role of Technology in Transforming Health Care Delivery

Discuss the latest technological advancements in health care, such as telemedicine, AI-powered diagnostics, and wearable health trackers.
Explore how technology can improve access to care, reduce costs, and personalize treatments.
Analyze the ethical implications of using technology in health care and the potential for data privacy and algorithmic bias.

2. Addressing Health Disparities through Policy Interventions

Identify the root causes of health disparities based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geographic location.
Evaluate the effectiveness of existing policy interventions aimed at reducing disparities, such as Medicaid expansion and community health centers.
....

1. The Ethical Imperative of Universal Healthcare

Explore the moral obligation to provide healthcare to all citizens, regardless of their financial status or social background.
Discuss the consequences of denying healthcare to vulnerable populations and the impact it has on society as a whole.
Examine the ethical principles that should guide the design and implementation of universal healthcare systems.

2. The Economic Benefits of Universal Healthcare

Analyze the potential economic advantages of universal healthcare, such as reduced healthcare costs, increased productivity, and reduced poverty.
Consider the impact of universal healthcare on businesses and the economy at large.
Evaluate the long-term economic....