The Role of Powerful Interest Groups in the Execution of Policies
Dr. Lisa Kincaid
April 15, 2012
Research and Strategic Communications 531

Brief Overview of the Research Chapters of your Research Paper
The brief overview of the research paper includes understanding that an interest group is an organization of people with similar policy goals that tries to influence the political process to try to achieve those goals will be in chapters 1-3. This paper will provide the readers with information that describes interest groups as groups that try to influence every branch and every level of government. Interest groups are also known to support candidates for office, but the interest groups do not run their own slate of candidates. Interest groups are often policy specialists, whereas parties are policy generalists. Interest groups have always been known as a negative image in America. There are many theories of interest groups and they are pluralist, hyper pluralist, and elite; pluralist theory argues that interest group activity brings representation to all as groups compete and counterbalance one another elite theory argues that a few groups (mostly the wealthy) have most of the power; and hyper pluralist theory asserts that too many groups are getting too much of what they want, resulting in a government policy that is often contradictory and lacking in direction. Pluralists do not deny that some groups are stronger than others or that competing interests do not always get an equal hearing, but they argue that lobbying is open to all and should not be regarded as a problem. Elite theorists maintain that real power is held by relatively few people, key groups, and institutions.
For each chapter, describe in three or four (3 or 4) sentences the actions to be taken in the research process.
There are many actions that will be taken in the research process such as explain all three types of interest groups this will be in chapters 3-5. Another action that will be taken would be to distinguish the many factors that make an interest group successful in chapters 5-7. Many factors affect the success of an interest group, including the size of the group, the intensity, and its financial resources. Small groups actually have organizational advantages over large groups. Another factor will be how interest groups really shape policy and the strategies such as lobbying, electioneering, and litigation. Lobbyists are political persuaders who are the representatives of organized groups. Getting the right people into office or keeping them there is another key strategy of interest groups. Many groups therefore get involved in electioneering-aiding candidates financially and getting their members to support them. Political Action Committees (PACs) have provided a means for groups to participate in electioneering more than ever before. Litigation is often used if an interest group fails in Congress or gets only a vague piece of legislation. The next section would include the type of interest groups and their responsibilities. Many people categorize interest groups into three areas and they are economic issues, environmental issues, and equality issues, and there are still issues others with the interests of all consumers. Understanding the interest groups is very important in this research paper will be on chapters 7-9. The power of the interest groups is also a very powerful element in the interest groups and their implementation of policies. For each chapter, explain how the data and other information acquired during the research will be presented. The data will be presented in tables, charts, and graphs to explain the major comparisons of all interest groups and what they stand for will be on chapters 9-10.