Interest groups and lobbying: pursuing political interests in America

Introduction: First shoot all the lobbyists? -- Origins and structures. Interests and interest groups -- Collective action and interest group organization -- Social movements and activism -- Lobbyists and organization management -- A model of interest group advocacy -- Lobbying and influence. Lobbying Congress, the most permeable branch -- Executive group lobbying -- Interest groups going to court -- Friends and foes of convenience -- Interest groups, elections, and campaign finance -- Conclusion: representation in the interest group age.

"Interest Groups and Lobbying shows how political organizations and their lobbyists play a crucial role in how policy is made in the United States. It cuts through the myths and misconceptions about interest groups and lobbyists with an accessible and comprehensive text supported by real world examples and the latest research. New to the Second Edition Fully updates and expands the discussion of social media and other online activity engaged in by interest groups, showing that they have become more sophisticated in their use of the internet--especially social media--for keeping current members informed and for their advocacy work. New case studies on more recent advocacy efforts. Updated data used in the book, including: Total number and types of interest groups lobbying in Washington, DC Total number and types of interest groups lobbying in the fifty states Data on campaign contributions Data on amicus briefs and case sponsorship Data on stages of the lawmaking process where interest groups appear to lobby the most New data on revolving-door lobbyists."

"Interest groups and lobbyists play a crucial role in how public policy is made in the United States' representative democracy. By helping citizens organize and pursue their self-interests in the political arena, interest groups and lobbyists are an alternative but very effective form of representation. However, the adversarial nature of interest groups often fuels voter discomfort with the political process. Interest Groups and Lobbying is an accessible and comprehensive text that examines the crux of this conflict. Pulling together two areas of interest group research--why advocacy organizations form and how they are able to gain influence in Washington, DC--Thomas T. Holyoke shows students the inner workings of interest groups in the United States. Using case studies to clarify and expand on the issues surrounding lobbying and group action in federal, state, and local government, Holyoke explores how we can use interest groups and their adversarial impulse to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number of people"--