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Research Project: Analyzing the Pluralism Theory-- The impact of Interest groups in our American Democracy99 unread replies.1010 replies.
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As part of this research , you will select an interest group. You can go back to chapter 10 PowerPoint to select from one of the interest groups that were presented on the lecture. Or, you can go to http://votesmart.org/interest-groups (Links to an external site.) to get a list of all the interest groups found in the United States. Please make sure that you select an interest group that utilizes lobbying and other techniques to influence elected officials as was lectured on chapter 10 Interest group.
In a PowerPoint format present the following information on the interest group that you decided to research. The research on the Interest group should include the specific information below:
1. Background information (10 points) You can use multiple slides to present this information.
- Name of the interest group and state why you selected this interest group.
- Who were the founders and founding date?
- What is the purpose/cause of the interest group?
- How would you categorize your interest group? Is it environmental, business, or social movement focus? Is your interest group a local, state, national or international organization?
- Who are the financial supporters of these interest groups? Is there a membership fee? If applicable, include list of famous members who support your interest group.
- Is your interest group a Super PAC? Using the opensecrets.org (Links to an external site.) find out if your interest group contributed to political candidates.
2. Select three agents of political socialization that you think influences people to support your interest group that you selected. Ex . If you selected National Organization of Women, then gender, education and peer groups can be your political socialization agents that will fall for your interest group and explain why. (5 points) (Go back to chapter 6 for review of Political socialization agents)
3. Select a current issue that your interest group is advocating. Discuss what lobbying techniques are being used by your interest group to promote the cause. Go back to chapter 10 to review the direct and indirect techniques that organizations use to influence their interest. (10 points)
4. In your conclusion, do you feel that your interest group falls under the Pluralism theory? (10 points) Do you think that your interest group advances democracy or does it hinder democracy? Provide examples from your research to support your viewpoint (10 points) Go back to chapter 1 for definition of Pluralism Theory. (This must be a paragraph format)