This book describes a great change in the interest groups in American politics and includes analysis of the legal limits of non-profit politics. It examines the effects of the new Democratic majorities on partisan lobbying, political action committee spending.

MySearchLab provides students with a complete understanding of the research process so they can complete research projects confidently and efficiently. Students and instructors with an internet connection can visit www.MySearchLab.com and receive immediate access to thousands of full articles from the EBSCO ContentSelect database. In addition, MySearchLab offers extensive content on the research process itself--including tips on how to navigate and maximize time in the campus library, a step-by-step guide on writing a research paper, and instructions on how to finish an academic assignment with endnotes and bibliography.­ Considered the gold standard on interest group politics, The Interest Group Society, 5/e analyzes interest groups within the intuitive framework of democratic theory, enabling students to understand the workings of interest groups within the larger context of our political system. Comprehensive coverage includes not only the traditional farm, labor, and trade associations, but also citizen groups, public interest organizations, corporations, and public interest firms.

This is a thematically unified survey of current and significant issues affecting interest group politics and scholarship in the USA. Petracca has drawn together interest group scholars and practitioners to write 16 original essays dedicated to making the best and newest research accessable to students at all levels. The mix of perspectives and approaches aims to offer a stimulating analysis of contemporary American interest group activity.

Debuting it its first edition, this book is organized around the approach that American politics can best be understood by examining the issues that reflect the ideas, principles, concerns, fears, morals and hopes of the American people. Debates, Differences and Divisions looks at twenty-five hot button issues affecting American politics and policy today. The author argues that these issues are the heart and soul of the American political system, serving as the basis for the disagreements that drive our political system into action.

Examines the influence of lobbies on all three branches of government as well as how interest groups mobilize people at the grassroots level. The work's central theme concerns the expansion of interest group activity, and places this influence in the context of democratic theory.

Describes the development of interest groups in the USA mainly from the 1960s to the 1990s. Using the results of two national surveys of all membership associations operating in Washington in 1980 and 1985, examines the ways in which different types of social groups develop the organizational structures necessary to represent themselves. Describes methods for financing these groups and investigates the strategies they use to influence American politics, including litigation strategies. Considers occupationally based groups in the profit sector and in the nonprofit sector and citizens groups which are open to all. Examines the extent of influence of different groups.

Black & white print. American Government 3e aligns with the topics and objectives of many government courses. Faculty involved in the project have endeavored to make government workings, issues, debates, and impacts meaningful and memorable to students while maintaining the conceptual coverage and rigor inherent in the subject. With this objective in mind, the content of this textbook has been developed and arranged to provide a logical progression from the fundamental principles of institutional design at the founding, to avenues of political participation, to thorough coverage of the political structures that constitute American government. The book builds upon what students have already learned and emphasizes connections between topics as well as between theory and applications. The goal of each section is to enable students not just to recognize concepts, but to work with them in ways that will be useful in later courses, future careers, and as engaged citizens. In order to help students understand the ways that government, society, and individuals interconnect, the revision includes more examples and details regarding the lived experiences of diverse groups and communities within the United States. The authors and reviewers sought to strike a balance between confronting the negative and harmful elements of American government, history, and current events, while demonstrating progress in overcoming them. In doing so, the approach seeks to provide instructors with ample opportunities to open discussions, extend and update concepts, and drive deeper engagement.