Discuss the History of Voluntary Associations in the United States

question 58

Essay

Discuss the history of voluntary associations in the United States. How widespread have interest groups been? What events and developments have led to their formation? When has their influence been strongest, and when has it waned? Are interest groups more or less prevalent today than they have been in the past?

---

Definitions:

Garrett Hardin

An ecologist known for his work on environmental issues and for popularizing the concept of the "tragedy of the commons," which describes the problem of individuals overexploiting a shared resource.

Tragedy of the Commons

A situation in which individual users, acting independently according to their own self-interest, deplete or spoil shared resources through their collective action.

Commons

Describes resources that are accessible to all members of a society, including natural resources like air and water, and cultural goods such as public land and knowledge.

Nineteenth Amendment

An amendment to the United States Constitution granted women the right to vote, ratified in 1920.