Examples of Interest Groups

What type of Interest Group is BLM?

• A sectional group

• A coalition of 50 Black-led organisations who gained significant attention in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd.

What methods do BLM use?

• Media - BLM used social media and became a hashtag which was used 50,000 times in 2020.

• Direct action - they also organised large demonstrations which spread nationwide

Factors for BLM’s success:

• Political climate - Obama understood African American relationship with police system

• Public support - mass protests across the US

Factors for BLM’s failure:

Political climate - Trump administration overturned the policy set up during the Obama administration

What percentage of adults in the US say they support the BLM movement in 2024?

51%

What percentage of the US public believe that BLM were effective at changing policy?

14%

What was BLM’s impact on the two parties?

• In the first primary for the Democrats, all the candidates were asked direct questions about their support for BLM. The Democratic National Committee passed a resolution supporting BLM.

• The Republicans largely were against BLM blaming them for inciting anti-police sentiments

What type of group are the NRA?

They are a single issue group dedicated to protect the second Amendment, which guarantees the right to bear arms

What methods do the NRA use?

• Donation and electioneering - In 2016, they spent $30 million helping Trump get elected and they spent $14.4 million on 44 winning candidates

• Lobbying - spent $4.1 million

• Resources - money and finance can help attack oppositions

Factors for NRA’s success:

• Strong active 5 million members

• Political climate - Congress can’t agree on gun reform - After the 2012 Sandy Hook shootings, a gun control bill with bipartisan support only secured 56 Senate votes and thus failed

• Resources - money help them support candidates

Factors for NRA’s failures:

• Resistance groups and the Democrats have pushed for tighter gun control

• Political apathy - the rise in school shootings have pushed many politicians to support gun reform - The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in 2022

What type of IG are the American Civil Liberties Union?

They’re a non-profit organisation that aim to defend everyone’s constitutional right. They’re a non-partisan group.

How many members does the ACLU have?

1.8 million members (2018)

What key cases were the ACLU involved with?

• Brown v Board to end school segregation in 1954

• In 2017, they fought at the Supreme Court a case against discrimination in a case concerning transgender rights in Virginia, in Gloucester County School Board v C.G

Why are the ACLU successful?

• They have a strong membership and a large network

• They use litigation and have expertise to file amicus briefs

How many cases do the ACLU have against the Trump administration?

56 cases

What type of IG are Susan B. Anthony List?

They’re a single issue group founded in 1993 that work with pro-life candidates.

What methods do the SBA use?

Electioneering - they spent over $10 million to support endorsed candidates prior to the 2020 election

Why are the SBA successful?

• Support base of around 837,000

• Political climate: 2020 during the Trump administration there were a record number of pro-life candidates

• Lobbying: In 2020, they lobbied for Amy Coney Barret to the Supreme Court and they lobbied against USAID funding abortion services abroad

• Litigation: They were key in the overturning of Roe v Wade in 2023

What challenges to the SBA face?

Public apathy/opposition; Unfavourable political climate

What type of group are the National Association of Realtors?

They’re a non-partisan group, who donate to both parties. Currently has 1.4 million members and is the largest trade association in the USA.

Give an example of the NAR electioneering

• Dem Adam Schiff was given was given $12,000 by the NAR

• Republican Don Bacon was given $10,000 by the NAR

What methods do the NAR use?

They provide a range of services to its members such as training. They thrive to protect their members particularly with the rise in internet-based estate agents.

How much money did the the NAR raise in 2019-20?

$13 million - majority went to incumbents as the NAR value good access channels to serving lawmakers

What are the key challenges facing the NAR?

Growing opposition from new businesses and public opposition

What type of group is the Sierra Club?

They’re a policy group, advocating for environmental conservation. They have 3.8 million members and are active in almost every congressional district.

What methods do the Sierra club use?

They raise awareness over issues such as the impacts of the use of fossil fuels. They oppose fracking and the construction of Dams.

Who did the Sierra Club endorse in 2016 and 2020?

Clinton and Biden campaign

What are the main methods of the Sierra club?

They use grassroot movements, running programmes to help support their endorse candidates; they have a strong base of over 35,000 volunteers.

What challenges do the Sierra Club face?

Unfavourable political climate as the Trump administration were against climate policies