Advocacy group

Advocacy groups, also known as lobby groups, interest groups, special interest groups, pressure groups, or public associations use various forms of advocacy and/or lobbying in order to influence public opinion and ultimately public policy.[1] They play an important role in the development of political and social systems.[2]

Motives for action may be based on political, economic, religious, moral, commercial or common good-based positions. Groups use varied methods to try to achieve their aims, including lobbying, media campaigns, awareness raising publicity stunts, polls, research, and policy briefings. Some groups are supported or backed by powerful business or political interests and exert considerable influence on the political process, while others have few or no such resources.

Some have developed into important social, political institutions or social movements. Some powerful advocacy groups have been accused of manipulating the democratic system for narrow commercial gain[3] and in some instances have been found guilty of corruption, fraud, bribery, influence peddling and other serious crimes;[4] Some groups, generally ones with less financial resources, may use direct action and civil disobedience and in some cases are accused of being a threat to the social order or 'domestic extremists'.[5] Research is beginning to explore how advocacy groups use social media to facilitate civic engagement and collective action.[6][7]

  1. ^ "New Guidance On Rules For Canadian Federal Lobbyists – Government, Public Sector – Canada". mondaq.com. Retrieved 2019-09-29.
  2. ^ Wallack, Lawrence (1994). "Media Advocacy: A Strategy for Empowering People and Communities". Journal of Public Health Policy. 15 (4): 420–436. doi:10.2307/3343024. ISSN 0197-5897. JSTOR 3343024. PMID 7883943. S2CID 14289203.
  3. ^ Helm, Toby (2009-01-18). "Fury at airport lobby links to No 10". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2010-03-04.
  4. ^ "Complaints from Mr Mohamed al Fayed, The Guardian and others against 25 members and former members". Parliament UK. 1 August 1997.
  5. ^ Monbiot, George (2009-02-16). "Meet the new Britain: just like the old one where green protesters are spied on". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 19 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
  6. ^ Obar, Jonathan; et al. (2012). "Advocacy 2.0: An Analysis of How Advocacy Groups in the United States Perceive and Use Social Media as Tools for Facilitating Civic Engagement and Collective Action". Journal of Information Policy. 2: 1–25. doi:10.5325/jinfopoli.2.2012.1. S2CID 246628982. SSRN 1956352.
  7. ^ Obar, Jonathan (2014). "Canadian Advocacy 2.0: A Study of Social Media Use by Social Movement Groups and Activists in Canada". Canadian Journal of Communication. doi:10.22230/cjc.2014v39n2a2678. SSRN 2254742.

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