Interest Groups and Lobbying shows how political organizations and their lobbyists play a crucial role in how policy is made in the United States. It cuts through the myths and misconceptions about interest groups and lobbyists with an accessible and comprehensive text supported by real-world examples and the latest research.
New to the Third Edition
- Further updates and expands the discussion of social media and other online activity engaged in by interest groups, showing that they have become more sophisticated in their use of the internet – especially social media – for keeping current members informed and for their advocacy work.
- New case studies on more recent advocacy efforts.
- Updated data used in the book, including:
- Data on the ideological distribution of Washington interest groups
- Total number and types of interest groups lobbying in the 50 states
- Data on campaign contributions
- Data on amicus briefs and case sponsorship
- New discussion on the ethical and public interest obligations of lobbyists.
Table of Contents:
Introduction: First Shoot All the Lobbyists?
Part One: Origins and Structure
1. Interests and Interest Groups
2. Collective Action and Interest Group Organization
3. Social Movements and Activism
4. Lobbyists and Organization Management
5. A Model of Interest Group Advocacy
Part Two: Lobbying and Influence
6. Lobbying Congress, the Most Permeable Branch
7. Executive Branch Lobbying
8. Interest Groups Going to Court
9. Friends and Foes of Convenience
10. Interest Groups, Elections, and Campaign Finance
Conclusion: Representation in the Interest Group Age
About the Author :
Thomas T. Holyoke is Professor of Political Science at California State University, Fresno. He is a specialist in interest group politics, as well as education policy and Western water policy. In addition to over three dozen articles and book chapters, he has published several books on interest groups, lobbying, and public policymaking, most recently Water Politics: The Fragmentation of Western Water Policy (Routledge, 2024) and The Ethical Lobbyist: Reforming Washington’s Influence Industry (Georgetown University Press, 2016).
Review :
Praise for Interest Groups and Lobbying: Pursuing Political Interests in America, Third Edition
“Holyoke's text is fantastic for political science majors and non-majors alike. It covers major concepts and theories of interest group studies in an accessible way. Especially in the new edition, it balances analysis of cutting-edge political science data with illustrative and well-chosen case studies that help students integrate their learning with issues in their daily lives. Perhaps most impressively, it helps students learn the basics of formal models of group behavior in a way that is clear, accessible, and insightful. An easy choice for my class on political organizations that I look forward to turning to again and again.”
Geoffrey M. Lorenz, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Praise for Previous Editions
"Exceptional in scope and clarity, Holyoke’s Interest Groups and Lobbying is sure to become a mainstay for students and scholars of American politics. Holyoke presents a comprehensive and timely review of existing theory and empirical research."
James Strickland, Arizona State University
"Interest Groups and Lobbying provides a compelling and thoughtful examination of lobbying and advocacy that allows students to consider the topic in both an applied and theoretically rigorous way."
Interest Groups & Advocacy
"Interest Groups and Lobbying is an engaging, informed, and innovative analysis of interest groups and lobbying. More than simply a description of lobbyist 'dos and don'ts,' this book provides a serious model for understanding the real-world issues that lobbyists and the groups they work for face."
Rodd Freitag, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire
"Interest Groups and Lobbying will challenge students to rethink their assumptions about interest groups, and think more critically about the problems of representation in the interest group age."
Bryan McQuide, Grand View University and University of Idaho
"Perhaps most useful for teaching students about lobbying are the case studies on national parks, gun control, and the US Chamber of Commerce."
Heath Brown, Seton Hall University
Praise for Interest Groups and Lobbying: Pursuing Political Interests in America, Third Edition
“Holyoke's text is fantastic for political science majors and non-majors alike. It covers major concepts and theories of interest group studies in an accessible way. Especially in the new edition, it balances analysis of cutting-edge political science data with illustrative and well-chosen case studies that help students integrate their learning with issues in their daily lives. Perhaps most impressively, it helps students learn the basics of formal models of group behavior in a way that is clear, accessible, and insightful. An easy choice for my class on political organizations that I look forward to turning to again and again.”
Geoffrey M. Lorenz, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Praise for Previous Editions
"Exceptional in scope and clarity, Holyoke’s Interest Groups and Lobbying is sure to become a mainstay for students and scholars of American politics. Holyoke presents a comprehensive and timely review of existing theory and empirical research."
James Strickland, Arizona State University
"Interest Groups and Lobbying provides a compelling and thoughtful examination of lobbying and advocacy that allows students to consider the topic in both an applied and theoretically rigorous way."
Interest Groups & Advocacy
"Interest Groups and Lobbying is an engaging, informed, and innovative analysis of interest groups and lobbying. More than simply a description of lobbyist 'dos and don'ts,' this book provides a serious model for understanding the real-world issues that lobbyists and the groups they work for face."
Rodd Freitag, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire
"Interest Groups and Lobbying will challenge students to rethink their assumptions about interest groups, and think more critically about the problems of representation in the interest group age."
Bryan McQuide, Grand View University and University of Idaho
"Perhaps most useful for teaching students about lobbying are the case studies on national parks, gun control, and the US Chamber of Commerce."
Heath Brown, Seton Hall University
