Advocacy group

History and Growth of Advocacy Groups

  • Pressure groups emerged in England in the mid-18th century, with the first mass social movement catalyzed by John Wilkes.
  • Chartism was the first mass movement of the working class in Britain, followed by socialist, communist, women's rights, gay rights, and peace movements.
  • The anti-globalization movement emerged in the late 1990s.
  • In the United States, the civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King Jr. was a prominent social movement.
  • Lobbying is a significant political activity in the United States, with various advocacy groups existing across different genres.
  • Advocacy groups have played a role in legal changes, press freedom, electing presidents, and securing pensions for veterans.

Activities of Advocacy Groups

  • Anti-defamation organizations respond to slights against specific population segments.
  • Environmental advocacy groups focus on issues related to the environment.
  • Human rights organizations advocate for the protection of human rights.
  • Health advocacy groups work towards improving healthcare policies and access.
  • Consumer advocacy groups aim to protect consumers' rights and interests.

Methods and Impact of Advocacy Groups

  • Advocacy groups use various methods such as lobbying, media campaigns, and research.
  • Some groups are supported by powerful interests and exert significant influence.
  • Advocacy groups can become important social and political institutions.
  • Some groups have been accused of manipulating the democratic system and engaging in illegal activities.
  • Research explores the use of social media by advocacy groups for civic engagement and collective action.

Types of Advocacy Groups

  • Watchdog groups provide oversight and rating of actions or media.
  • Lobby groups lobby for change or maintenance of laws, often funded by big businesses.
  • Legal defense funds provide funding for legal defense or action.
  • Astroturfing groups mask sponsors of messages or organizations to appear as grassroots support.
  • Media advocacy groups use mass media to advocate for public policies.

Influential Advocacy Groups and Adversarial Groupings

  • Examples of influential advocacy groups include the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), British Medical Association, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, and Center for Auto Safety.
  • Adversarial groupings include the abortion-rights vs anti-abortion movements, SPEAK campaign vs Pro-Test, The Automobile Association vs Pedestrians Association, Tobacco Institute vs Action on Smoking and Health, and Flying Matters vs Plane Stupid.

Advocacy group Data Sources

Reference URL
Glossary https://www.alternix.com/blogs/glossary-of-terms/advocacy-group
Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advocacy_group
Wikidata https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q431603
Knowledge Graph https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/m/03tp2y
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