When People Think About Interest Groups, They Often Picture a Lobbyist

question 39

Essay

When people think about interest groups, they often picture a lobbyist making policy with politicians behind closed doors. How accurate is this depiction of direct lobbying? Should we do more or less to regulate the process? Explain your answer and give examples to support your argument.

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Definitions:

Purchasing Group

A consortium of buyers who pool their resources to buy goods or services collectively, typically to obtain lower prices.

Medical Practices

The professional activities and standards related to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases, managed by health professionals.

Balance Theory

According to Heider, people prefer attitudes that are consistent with each other over those that are inconsistent. A person (P) tries to maintain consistency in attitudes to, and relationships with, other people (O) and elements of the environment (X).

Cognitions

The mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.