Different interest groups will choose different techniques to achieve their objectives based
on their resources, characteristics, and goals.
(a)Describe each of the following techniques and explain why an interest group would choose
each technique.
Litigation
Campaign contributions
Grassroots lobbying/mass mobilization
(b)Select one of the following groups and identify the primary technique it uses from the list in
part (a). Explain why the group you selected would employ that technique over the other two
techniques.
American Medical Association (AMA)
Sierra Club
National Rifle Association (NRA)
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
(NAACP)
a) litigation is when interest groups use legal action to influence the courts, they would choose this technique in the hopes of establishing a firm precedent, creating stronger support for the issue, and resolving the issue
- campaign contributions and used to get their respective candidate elected into office, this buys the interest group a candidate's loyalty and support
- grassroots mobilization is gaining a large public following to influence policy agenda and show the popularity of their issue, this helps interest groups bc it is low-cost, requires less resources, the increasing activity and involvement of the community influences policymakers in Washington
b) NRA uses campaign contributions to get candidates in favor of their views elected into office, they would select this technique over the other two because of their large size and financial assets in order to hire lobbyists and influence policymakers.
