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Popular Participation: Exercise 2 - Types and activities of interest groups
Instructions:
Read the passage and click on the correct answer. If wrong, try
again. Scroll down if you do not see the Answer box. Click
here to review the key terms for this exercise.
Interest groups, also called
special interest groups, are groups of people who share interests
(concerns) and views. They try to influence government policy (government
plan of action) to benefit the concerns of their group. Interest groups
range from large, well-funded national organizations, such as the
National Rifle Association (NRA), to small groups with very limited
funds, such as Community Garden groups. All types of organizations
form interest groups to present and promote their needs to the government.
Interest groups support candidates for public office and try to influence
public opinion. There are interest groups for businesses, labor, agriculture,
consumers, religious and ethnic groups, as well as for people concerned
about specific issues, such as the environment. Many people believe
that the best way to influence government is through the activities
of interest groups.
Some interest groups are represented by lobbyists.
Lobbyists are people who actively promote specific policies to protect
and advance members' interests. Lobbyists try to influence government
officials to support programs and vote for bills that will benefit
the interest group the lobbyist represents.
Instructions:
Read the passage and click on the correct answer. If wrong, try
again. Scroll down if you do not see the Answer box. 
