Interest Group Politics in America

Interest-group lobbying is a controversial activity in American politics and this book provides a study of group power. This edition includes expanded coverage of the changing dynamics of power politics in America; new media venues and grassroots organizing; and the perennial issue of reform. List of Tables, Figures, and Boxes, Preface, Part One. The Foundations of Lobbying, 1. Group Politics in America, 2. The Foundations and Characteristics ofInterest Groups, 3. Leadership and Organization of Interest Groups, Part Two. The Strategies and Tactics of Lobbying, 4. Traditional Lobbying: The Lobbyist at Work, 5. Indirect and Media Lobbying, 6. Grassroots, Elections, and Electronic Lobbying, 7. Money and Lobbying: The Power of PACs, Part Three. Interest Groups and the Government, 8. Judicial and Legislative Lobbying, 9. Executive and Regulatory Agency Lobbying, 10. Lobby Laws: The Tension Between Reform and the First Amendment, Part Four. Interest Groups in Conflict and Cooperation, 11. The Traditional Lobbies, 12. Counterbalancing Forces: The Rise of Public-Interest Groups, 13. Is Lobbying the Problem? The Solution? Or Just Normal Politics?, Notes, Index