American Govt : Interest Groups

For this assignment you’ll research at least two interest groups.

Pick one (1) interest group whose agenda you like and one (1) you disagree with to research. Start by finding the homepage for each interest group on the internet. Conduct further web-based research to see what news sources have reported about the two interest groups, what some of their recent activities have been, which politicians they support, which politicians they oppose, and so on.

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Important Reminder
Remember to put the work in your own words unless you’re directly quoting one of your sources. Copying and pasting someone else’s work is considered plagiarism and is unacceptable. Always provide sources where you got your information. The point of a project like this is to get you comfortable researching complex issues and making an argument using the work of experts to support your argument.

Assignment Instructions
With this project you’ll answer some essential questions as you organize your findings.

Respond to the items below:

What’s the main agenda of the two (2) groups you researched?
What role has each interest group played in American politics? Provide two (2) examples for each group.
How influential are these interest groups? Support your response with one (1) supporting fact for each group.
Why do you like or dislike them? Provide three (3) reasons why you like or dislike each group.
Was there anything in your findings that surprised you? Provide one (1) finding that either surprised you or that may surprise other individuals.
You should use research to form your opinions and support your arguments. The paper should address the central question and include the topics provided to help you organize and present the information. This project will be four to six pages in total.

Review your research and use supporting arguments to justify your position.

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Length/Formatting Instructions
Length: 4–6 Pages
Font: 12 point, Calibri font, 1″ margins
Program/file type: Submit in Word
Attachments: Attachments should be pasted into the Word document if possible.
Part of your grade will depend upon you following the proper style. If you need help with the formatting and reference page, please use the APA referencing system.

ANSWER

American Government-Interest Groups

Introduction

Interest groups continue to play a vital role in the growth of the American economy. They actively undertake different activities that call for the government’s attention to initiate and implement strategic actions to meet its people’s needs and welfare. One of these groups is the Common Cause, which deals with a call for a better democracy. This group campaigns for equal participation and voice. The other key group is CSGV (The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence), which advocates for reducing gun injury and deaths. Its primary interest is to advocate for safety. These two groups have actively changed the US economy’s social and political conditions by encouraging the government to develop and implement quality systems and structures that meet and represent the needs of its people.

Agenda of the Two Groups

Common Cause

Common Cause primarily deals with the call for pro-democracy reforms. Their central focus is to end barriers that challenge equal participation for all. It believes in equal voice and votes for all by ensuring that Congress passes Acts that make democracy work for all people (Common Cause, 2021). The US government’s attention is directed towards ensuring that individuals have a bigger voice in the political domain. In the long-run, the government becomes ethical and accountable to people’s needs, interests, and well-being. Overall, Common Cause concentrates on developing a democratic government that gives people a stronger voice and allows them to participate in the development of their nation actively.

The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV)

CSGV concentrates on the gun violence prevention plan. Its rule is that gun violence should be rare and simple (Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, 2021). They advocate for this through policy development, advocacy, community engagement, and adequate training. The organization is keen on people’s security and safety across the US community. Their interest revolves around addressing gun violence in the nation. Gun violence in the US has been a key issue that attracts attention in the public domain due to its complexity. As Rubens and Shehadeh (2014) state, gun violence is a complex and formidable task. The limitation requires a multi-level approach to deal with the challenge. CSGV has actively helped in handling and management of gun violence in the United States.

The Role of Each Interest Group in Changing American Politics

Common Cause

Recently, Common Cause has been involved in legal filings aimed at changing the political domain. For example, the organization initiated a legal procedure against President Trump’s government regarding the Executive Order targeting undocumented people’s exclusion in congressional district apportionment (Common Cause, 2021). Another key legal procedure revolved around money and influence, where the Connecticut citizens’ election program shifted the balance of power to the people (Common Cause, 2021). These are some of the few initiatives that the group undertook to ensure that political leaders understood and met the people’s needs. Their role in prompting potential changes across political institutions cannot be underestimated.

CSGV

The group has played an essential role in ensuring the government creates a safe and secure environment. It targets the recognition of the right to live in a community free from gun violence (Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, 2021). Their contribution to American politics revolves around the governmental call for greater responsibility and accountability. For example, policy development enables the organization to create viable systems and structures that enhance safety. The government can rely on the information to make potential laws. Also, lobbying is another strategic action that the organization seeks to support other potential parties in campaigning for life-saving laws. These two actions have significantly enabled CSGV to change American politics positively.

The Impact

Common Cause has enabled the US community to receive fairness and justice as far as elections and other political processes are concerned. Its desire has always been to ensure that there is representative democracy across the country. A case of Stacey Abram’s fight for fair votes indicates the organization’s contribution in changing the political sector (Cobb, 2019). Gender and race are the key factors that emerge from this case. They portray a system that undermines the right and privileges of some of the potential candidates. She points out that she has a right to do what she perceives vital for her (Cobb, 2019). There is a dire need to ensure that all people have an equal voice in an ethnically and racially diversified nation. Her case and others revolving around the same issue have attracted the attention of the Common Cause organization. The institution offered appropriate assistance to show their commitment to campaign for democracy and changed the nation’s political systems and structures’ overall status.

CSGV

The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence has played a vital role in creating a safe environment by condemning practices that challenge the gun policy directive. For example, it slams individuals appearing to counter efforts to protect and safeguard the community. The Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre is one of the occurrences that prompted its attention. Georgia’s Democratic representative was captured taking cash from NRA (National Rifle Association) after the attack, where the organization released an ad slamming the leader for the action (Hickey, 2013). The brutal ad released shows their desire to go after sympathetic individuals appearing to counter the effort to protect and safeguard children and other community members’ lives. The group has a significant influence in campaigning for the end of gun violence and establishing a safe social setting for all.

Likes and Dislikes

Common Cause is a likable and admirable interest group in the US. One of the reasons why I like the group is its focus on democracy. I believe that the US community had grown and advanced over time and should thus be accommodative to all persons’ needs. I also like the group because it educates and trains eligible American voters to portray responsibility and seriousness when electing leaders. Lastly, it has numerous members and supporters (1.5M) who remain committed to its pro-democracy reforms (Common Cause, 2021).

The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence is a less likable organization. Despite being the oldest gun violence prevention establishment, it has failed to make sustainable strides as far as the reduction of gun violence is concerned. Secondly, it develops extreme risk laws that might not operate in all settings and situations. Lastly, as opposed to working I hand with other agencies to end gun violence, it exposes ideologists who disagree with them in the gun lobby agenda. This is an issue that I found surprising because I would expect the organization to approach the party that appears to disagree with the expectations and find a way forward.

Overall, Common Cause and The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence are essential interest groups that help the US government check. Their strategic actions and approaches align to help create a safe and secure environment. Their continued operations possess an improved potential and capacity to help build a safe and resilient US community.

References

Coalition to Stop Gun Violence – The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence seeks to secure freedom from gun violence through research, strategic engagement, and effective policy advocacy. The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. (2021). Retrieved 1 February 2021, from https://www.csgv.org/.

Cobb, J. (2019). Stacey Abrams’s Fight for a Fair Vote. The New Yorker. Retrieved 1 February 2021, from https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/08/19/stacey-abrams-fight-for-a-fair-vote.

Common Cause – Fighting to Uphold the Values of American Democracy. Common Cause. (2021). Retrieved 1 February 2021, from https://www.commoncause.org/.

Hickey, W. (2013). Here’s The First Brutal Ad Slamming A Congressman For Taking Money From The NRA. Business Insider. Retrieved 1 February 2021, from https://www.businessinsider.in/heres-the-first-brutal-ad-slamming-a-congressman-for-taking-money-from-the-nra/articleshow/21442806.cms.

Rubens, M., & Shehadeh, N. (2014). Gun violence in the United States: In the search for a solution. Frontiers in public health, 2, 17.