Interest groups are organizations of people who support a specific cause. Which of the following are considered interest groups? NAACP, PETA, lobbyists. (Note: NAFTA is not an interest group; it is a trade agreement.)

Among the choices provided, both the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) are considered interest groups. These organizations are composed of people who share common interests and work together to influence public policy and promote their specific causes.

On the other hand, lobbyists are not interest groups in themselves but rather individuals or representatives of interest groups who engage in lobbying. Lobbying is the activity of advocating for a particular position and attempting to influence the decisions of legislators and other public officials. Lobbyists are often employed or hired by interest groups to lobby on their behalf.

Extra: Interest groups play a significant role in democratic societies by providing a means for citizens to join together and make their voices heard on various issues. They provide expertise, information, and other resources to policymakers and thus can affect legislation and government action. There are various types of interest groups, including:

1. Economic Interest Groups: These groups advocate for the economic interest of their members. They include business associations, labor unions, professional associations, and trade organizations. 2. Public Interest Groups: These groups seek to promote issues that they believe are for the common good, rather than the benefit of a specific set of members. 3. Governmental Units: Local, state, and foreign governments can also act as interest groups by trying to influence national policies that affect their interests. 4. Ideological/Single-issue Groups: These groups are focused on specific issues or sets of principles, such as environmental policy, gun rights, or abortion. 5. Identity Groups: These groups represent the interests of a particular demographic or ethnical group, such as the NAACP, which aims to protect and advance the rights of African Americans.

Interest groups can engage in a variety of activities to further their causes, including lobbying, education campaigns, grassroots mobilization, and funding political campaigns. The varied activities and the capacities of interest groups contribute to the pluralistic nature of democratic societies, providing multiple avenues for citizens to influence their government.