American Government: Interest Groups and Lobbyists

American Government
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Institution
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American Government: Interest Groups and Lobbyists
Whom do they benefit and how do they affect our society?
Interest groups and lobbyists greatly influence and affect societies all over the world. These groups champion for policies and interests of those they profess to defend and offer a voice. A majority of interest groups and lobbyists claim to be working for the greater good. However, at times, these groups can seek to propel or fight for certain policies for their own benefit or for their causes. For example, an interest group can be against a certain policy because it is likely to increase public costs. However, the same policy could be one that seeks to benefit the public in the long run. Therefore, while these groups can at times be the voice of reason and be at the forefront to champion the rights of the voiceless in society, they can also become an impediment to growth.
These groups influence or affect society by altering or influencing public opinion, especially during crucial policy-development moments. For example, an interest group that professes to fight for the plight of employees can influence their stance on the minimum wage debate. Through their position on such interest groups, workers can then voice a united argument or opinion on the same and table their offer to their employers. However, the danger of interest groups and their power over sections of society is that they can influence opinion through arguments. According to Dur (2018), interest groups and lobbyists can influence public opinion in societies without offering proof for their stance on certain issues. The use of arguments leads to emotional responses instead of issue-based discussions. However, the above should not be taken to mean that these organizations do not play a crucial role in societies. Their voice often helps ensure that the interests of the voiceless are not neglected.
What incentives do interest groups offer to get individuals to join the group, and what strategies do interest groups use in their attempts to gain favorable policy. To answer this question, please research two interest groups. Compare and contrast the competing interests of the two groups.
Interest groups offer individuals different incentives for them to join the groups. Examples of these incentives include purposive incentives, solidarity benefits, and expressive incentives (Boundless Political Science, 2021). These benefits are showcased through interest groups like AFL-CIO and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
The solidarity benefit comes through the number of people that these groups represent. For example, Teamsters represents the voices of more than 1.4 million workers in the U.S. and Canada (Teamsters, 2021). On the other hand, AFL-CIO represents more than 12.5 million workers worldwide (AFL-CIO, 2021). Such numbe...