Interest Groups Research Paper

While all interest groups attempt to influence lawmakers, there are different types that push for different things. One economic interest group is ACORN, or the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now. Until 2009, ACORN was the largest grassroots organization of low- and middle-income people (“Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now”). The organization strived for economic justice. One particularly well-known environmental interest group is Greenpeace USA. A branch of one global organization, Greenpeace USA helps to expose environmental issues and propose and promote solutions that help the country move toward a “green and peaceful future” (“What We’re Doing”). One issue interest group is NARAL Pro Choice America, which aims to protect and expand reproductive freedom (“About Us”). Listed are different interest groups with three very different causes that they promote. In my opinion, there is not any group listed that is more powerful than the …show more content…
A solidary incentive is a “reason or motive that follows from the desire to associate with others and to share with others a particular interest or hobby” (Bardes, Schmidt & Shelley 219). Secondly, there are material incentives. People join interest groups to gain economic benefits or opportunities. Take for example, the American Nurses Association, or ANA. The group represents the interests of the nation’s registered nurses and “lobbies Congress and regulatory agencies on healthcare issues affecting nurses and the public” (“Policy & Advocacy”). Through ANA, members are given professional development opportunities, job networking, and various insurance policies (“Member Benefits”). Lastly, there are purposive incentives. These are reasons for supporting a group based on agreement with the goals of the group. Since I am aiming to be a nurse, I have a purposive incentive to join the