The goal of this assignment is to familiarize students with interest groups. Please follow the steps below to complete your assignment.
- Select an interest group (AARP, AHIP, Coalition for Health Services Research, Emergency Nurses Association, Pharma)
- Discuss how they are pushing their agenda (i.e., mechanisms used to influence policy makers), key obstacles, and spending (consult the Center for Responsible Politics, www.opensecrets.org)
- Investigate the interest group’s website and review their position statements, testimony, and consult media reports to obtain more information on the group’s lobbying efforts.
Submission Requirements:
- Presentation is original work and logically organized. Followed current APA format including citation of references.
- PowerPoint presentation with 5 slides that are clear and easy to read. Speaker notes expanded upon and clarified content on the slides.
- Incorporate a minimum of 4 current (published within last five years) scholarly journal articles or primary legal sources (statutes, court opinions) within your work.
- Journal articles and books should be referenced according to current APA style.
For this assignment, let’s select the interest group “AARP” (American Association of Retired Persons). AARP is one of the largest and most influential interest groups in the United States, representing the interests of older Americans and advocating for various issues related to social security, healthcare, and other issues affecting seniors.
1. Pushing Their Agenda: AARP uses various mechanisms to influence policymakers and push its agenda. Some of the common tactics they employ include:
a. Lobbying: AARP engages in direct lobbying efforts by meeting with lawmakers, providing them with information, research, and data to support their positions. They also actively participate in hearings and legislative discussions related to their areas of interest.
b. Grassroots Mobilization: AARP is known for its significant grassroots network. They encourage their members, who number over 38 million, to engage with policymakers directly by making phone calls, writing letters, and attending town hall meetings. This grassroots approach amplifies their voice and makes policymakers more attentive to their concerns.
c. Public Advocacy Campaigns: AARP often runs public advocacy campaigns to raise awareness about their issues and build public support. They use media, advertisements, and online platforms to reach a broader audience and generate momentum for their causes.
2. Key Obstacles: Despite its size and influence, AARP faces several challenges in advancing its agenda:
a. Partisan Politics: AARP’s issues often get entangled in partisan politics, making it challenging to gain support from lawmakers across party lines, especially on contentious issues.
b. Opposition from Interest Groups: AARP’s positions may clash with other interest groups, such as those representing businesses, healthcare providers, or younger Americans, leading to opposition and competing policy agendas.
c. Budget Constraints: The organization’s spending and resources might be limited, despite being significant compared to other interest groups. They need to allocate their resources strategically to maximize their impact.
3. Spending: To obtain information on AARP’s spending and lobbying efforts, you can consult the Center for Responsible Politics’ website, www.opensecrets.org. This platform tracks campaign contributions and lobbying expenditures of various organizations, including interest groups.
By reviewing their data on OpenSecrets, you can gain insights into AARP’s financial contributions to political campaigns, their lobbying expenses, and the issues they prioritize in their advocacy efforts. This information will give you a better understanding of their strategies and influence in the political landscape.
4. Investigating the Interest Group’s Website: To understand AARP’s lobbying efforts, you can visit their official website (www.aarp.org). Here, you’ll find various resources, including position statements, testimonies, and reports on the issues they advocate for. The website will give you an in-depth look at their policy stances and priorities.