After reading this chapter, you will be able to do the following:

• Identify the constitutional foundations of voluntary association in the American political process.
• Summarize the challenges interest groups and social movements confront in recruiting, mobilizing, and organizing the activities of their members.
• Discuss the types of interest groups in the American political landscape and the different tactics that they use.
• Analyze and contrast the tactics that interest groups and social movements use in order to advocate on their members’ behalf.