Interest Group Details and Paper:

Below is what Forbes (a key business magazine) has called the “Power 25.” It is a list of what are arguably the most effective interest groups in America. There are also tens of thousands of interest groups that are not on the list. Of course, most of them are also effective as well – or at least deemed to be. Otherwise, they would not exist.

Your assignment is to think about two interest groups you would be the most likely to join at some point during your life. One of those interest groups needs to come from the list below and the second interest group is one that you will need to find on your own that does not come from the list below. Please note that both groups need to be substantially different in terms of their subject goals.

Once you have picked the two interest groups, your job will be to write an essay that does the following:

·  Provides basic background information on the interest groups

·  Outlines the various methods used most by these two particular interest groups to achieve their goals and why you think those methods are utilized instead of others

·  Discusses the most significant piece of legislation or public policy that each interest group has influenced in the past

·  Describes a key focus area for the interest group right now

·  Illustrates why you believe you are destined to become a member of each of these interest groups

You will need to think carefully about structuring a thesis statement that will set up categories for you to discuss and analyze in your essay. Three categories tend to work well. The key is to find categories that blend well together.

The essay will need to be typed, double-spaced, Times Roman 12 point font, 1 inch margins. It should be about 3 to 5 pages in length. Please be sure to include a works cited page using whichever official format you feel is best.

Forbes’ Power 25:

1.  National Rifle Association
2. American Association of Retired People (AARP)
3. National Federation of Independent Business
4. American Israel Foreign Affairs Committee
5. Association of Trial Lawyers of America
6. AFL-CIO
7. Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America
8. National Beer Wholesalers of America
9. National Association of Realtors
10. National Association of Manufacturers
11. National Association of Homebuilders of the United States
12. American Medical Association
13. American Hospital Association
14. National Education Association of the United States
15. American Farm Bureau Federation
16. Motion Picture Association of America
17. National Association of Broadcasters
18. National Right to Life Committee
19. Health Insurance Association of America
20. National Restaurant Association
21. National Governors' Association
22. Recording Industry Association of America
23. American Bankers Association
24. Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
25. International Brotherhood of Teamsters