Policy and membership goals of your hypothetical interest group

    Step 1: Select an issue or cause that is of interest to you, and prepare to create a hypothetical interest group that will advocate for the interest. The issue or cause could be big and national in scope (for example, gun safety); it could be small and local in scope (for example, cleanliness of the public park in your town); or anywhere in between. Note: Submissions that analyze existing, real-life interest groups will not be graded. Once you’ve selected an issue or cause, think about your goals and what you would want your interest group to accomplish. Talk to friends, family, or community members, or research on the Internet to learn more about the issue. Step 2: Download the Create an Interest Group template and review the prompts. Think about the specific policy and membership goals of your hypothetical interest group, the barriers to achieving those goals, and the strategies that would best lead you to success.Step 3: Complete the Create an Interest Group template. You will respond to the following prompts: Your Interest Group In approximately 6-8 sentences, name your interest group, describe the issue or cause it supports or opposes, and why. What type of interest group is it? The Types of Interest Groups tutorial can help you answer this prompt. Goals What are your specific policy goals? Specify at least 2. Which level(s) of government and which government branch(es) will you target, and why? Is there one political party that might be more receptive to your goals? Why or why not? What barriers exist to meeting your goals? Specify 2 or more. Examples might include the free rider problem, lack of popular support, lack of political support, financial barriers, or others. How might your group overcome each of those barriers? Membership Who will you target for membership and how will you grow it? What sorts of incentives can your interest group provide? The Factors that Influence the Power of Interest Groups tutorial can help you answer this prompt. Actions Choose two inside lobbying approaches and two outside lobbying approaches that your interest group will use. Explain how each will contribute to the goals. You can choose from the menu provided (below), or brainstorm your own ideas. The Interest Group Strategies tutorial can also help you answer this prompt.

Sample Solution

   

am interested in the issue of climate change. Climate change is a global problem that is already having a significant impact on people and the environment around the world. The effects of climate change are expected to become more severe in the future if we do not take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Step 2: Download the Create an Interest Group template and review the prompts

I have downloaded and reviewed the Create an Interest Group template. I have also thought about the specific policy and membership goals of my hypothetical interest group, the barriers to achieving those goals, and the strategies that would best lead me to success.

Full Answer Section

   

tep 3: Complete the Create an Interest Group template

Your Interest Group

Name: Climate Action Now

Issue or cause: Climate change

Why: Climate change is a serious threat to the planet and to humanity. We need to take action now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Type of interest group: Public interest group

Goals

  • Promote policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Raise awareness of the issue of climate change and its impacts.
  • Mobilize citizens to take action on climate change.

Levels of government and government branches targeted: All levels of government, all branches

Why: Climate change is a global problem that requires action at all levels of government. We need to work with elected officials at all levels to develop and implement policies that address climate change.

Strategies

  • Educate the public about climate change.
  • Mobilize citizens to contact their elected officials and demand action on climate change.
  • Work with elected officials to develop and implement policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Support candidates who are committed to taking action on climate change.

Barriers to achieving goals

  • Public apathy: Many people are not aware of the severity of climate change or its impacts.
  • Powerful interests: The fossil fuel industry and other powerful interests have a vested interest in preventing action on climate change.
  • Political gridlock: It can be difficult to pass legislation that addresses climate change in the current political climate.

How to overcome barriers

  • Educate the public: We need to educate the public about the severity of climate change and its impacts. This can be done through public awareness campaigns, educational programs, and lobbying.
  • Build a strong coalition: We need to build a strong coalition of individuals and organizations that are committed to taking action on climate change. This coalition can be used to lobby elected officials, support candidates who are committed to taking action on climate change, and take other forms of action.
  • Be persistent: We need to be persistent in our efforts to address climate change. We should not give up, even if it takes time to achieve our goals.

I believe that by taking these steps, we can make a difference in the fight against climate change. We can create a world where everyone has a clean and healthy environment in which to live.

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