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Groups Influencing Policy Outcomes

Anna Garcia

Anna Garcia

7 min read

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Study Guide Overview

This study guide covers political actors and their influence on public policy, including single-issue groups (e.g., NRA, AARP), ideological/social movements (Civil Rights, Women's Rights, Environmental Rights, Consumer Rights), and protest movements. It also examines the scope of influence these actors have at each stage of policy-making (agenda-setting, policy formation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation). Finally, it discusses policy shifts and political realignments (e.g., New Deal, Reagan era), and provides practice questions (MCQ, FRQ, SAQ) covering these key concepts.

AP US Government: Political Actors & Policy Influence - The Night Before 🚀

Hey! Let's get you feeling confident for tomorrow. This guide is designed to be your quick, high-impact review. We'll hit the key points, make connections, and get you ready to ace this thing. Let's go!

🎯 Political Actors & Their Influence on Public Policy

Single-Issue Groups

  • Definition: Groups focused on a very specific area of concern.
  • Key Goal: To influence policy related to their single issue.
  • Examples:
    • National Rifle Association (NRA): 5+ million members, focused on gun rights. 🎯
      • Uses resources for membership, ads, and lobbying.
    • American Association of Retired Persons (AARP): Largest membership, focuses on issues important to those 50+. 👴👵
      • High voter turnout among members makes them influential.
Memory Aid

Think of single-issue groups as having laser focus. They're not trying to change the world, just their one thing.

Ideological/Social Movements

  • Definition: Broad movements advocating for social or political change.
  • Key Goal: To achieve widespread policy changes.

Civil Rights

  • Key Groups:
    • NAACP: Founded early 20th century for racial equality. ✊🏿
    • CORE, SCLC, SNCC: Emerged during the Civil Rights Movement.
  • Key Outcomes:
    • Civil Rights Act of 1964: Prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
    • Voting Rights Act of 1965: Prohibited racial discrimination in voting.
Memory Aid

Civil Rights = NAACP + CORE + SCLC + SNCC = 1964 & 1965 Acts. Remember the timeline and the impact.

Women's Rights

  • Key Milestone:
    • 19th Amendment (1920): Granted voting rights to women (initially white women).
  • Key Groups:
    • NOW & NARAL: Focused on gender equality and reproductive rights.
  • **K...

Question 1 of 12

🎉 What is the main focus of a single-issue interest group?

To address a broad spectrum of societal problems

To lobby for various industries

To promote widespread political change

To influence policy related to one specific concern