This pamphlet discusses one of the most essential but often misunderstood tasks facing nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations today: lobbying. It is addressed to Americans who volunteer their time and money to promote causes they believe will make this a better world. The pamphlet encourages citizens to lobby for two reasons. First, because virtually…

This paper chronicles the life of Democratic Congressman "Tip" O'Neill, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1977-1986. O'Neill's life is recounted, including: (1) encountering the patronage practice in Boston politics; (2) experiences in the Massachusetts legislature; (3) work with the Kennedy brothers and Lyndon Johnson;…

This booklet offers techniques and insights to assist the lobbying efforts of Minnesota advocates of individuals with disabilities. It begins by explaining lobbying and the legislative process. Suggestions for effective meetings with legislators are provided, along with ways to get an author for proposed legislation. The following sections discuss…

Examines George Bush's relations with Congress early in his term, focusing on the political and legislative environment in which Bush was operating. Analyzes Bush's legislative strategy, including agenda setting and orientation to Congress. Maintains that effective leadership is defined and constrained by the configuration of political forces. (RW)

This guide helps people understand where and how decisions on nuclear warfare are made in the United States government. The guide is organized into five main sections. "The Nature of the American Political System" covers the development of a republican form of democracy governed by checks and balances and designed so that power is shared…

Higher education lobbyists in Washington work as liaisons between their institutions and the federal government. The experiences of several lobbyists are described. Lobbying is seen as a game of knowing the people who can help and showing the legislators how a side of an issue benefits them. (MLW)

This guide is a revised and adapted version of a previous monograph, "A New Public Perspective on Representative Democracy: A Guide for Legislative Interns." The guide focuses on civic perspective: how citizens view the political institutions, processes, and people that are fundamental to representative democracy in the United States. It…

This monograph and its companion volume, "Shaping Education Policy in the States," portray the contemporary role of state legislators and map the structure of educational leadership in terms of both the characteristics of influential legislators and staff and the nature of influence structures in state legislatures. An outgrowth of the "State…

This monograph and its companion, "Legislative Education Leadership in the States," portray the contemporary role of state legislators and map the structure of education leadership in terms of both the characteristics of influential legislators and staff and the nature of influence structures in state legislatures. This volume reports…