Benjamin Farrer is an assistant professor in the Environmental Studies Department at Knox College. His main research and teaching interests are in the field of parties and interest groups.

'Organizing for Policy Influence provides an innovative theory and a careful empirical analysis for understanding how activist groups influence politics in advanced democracies. Farrer persuasively argues that the type of organization that groups of political activists choose–specifically, whether they choose political parties, interest groups, or direct action groups–has profound implications for how these groups of citizens are represented. He looks at current and salient issues, like the environment and immigration, to increase our understanding of activist influence. Under which circumstances should activists organize as interest groups or political parties? Farrer’s analysis provides key insights for important questions like this one.' - Lawrence Ezrow, Professor of Government, University of Essex'Farrer employs an impressive variety of methodological approaches to argue that overlooked and under-represented actors – specifically, environmental activists – have the power to effect policy change. An important corrective to the academic and popular bias in favor of political parties, this book also shows why policy-seeking activists might choose to form an interest group or engage in direct action over creating a niche party.' - Bonnie M. Meguid, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Rochester

• 1. Introduction 2. The Possibilities of Political Organizations 3. The Effect of Institutions on Organizational Choice 4. Translating Formal Theory Into Empirical Hypotheses 5. Explaining Emergence 6. Explaining Choices 7. Explaining Policy 8. Explaining Motivations 9. Conclusion 10. Appendices Bibliography

Benjamin Farrer is an assistant professor in the Environmental Studies Department at Knox College. His main research and teaching interests are in the field of parties and interest groups.

'Organizing for Policy Influence provides an innovative theory and a careful empirical analysis for understanding how activist groups influence politics in advanced democracies. Farrer persuasively argues that the type of organization that groups of political activists choose–specifically, whether they choose political parties, interest groups, or direct action groups–has profound implications for how these groups of citizens are represented. He looks at current and salient issues, like the environment and immigration, to increase our understanding of activist influence. Under which circumstances should activists organize as interest groups or political parties? Farrer’s analysis provides key insights for important questions like this one.' - Lawrence Ezrow, Professor of Government, University of Essex'Farrer employs an impressive variety of methodological approaches to argue that overlooked and under-represented actors – specifically, environmental activists – have the power to effect policy change. An important corrective to the academic and popular bias in favor of political parties, this book also shows why policy-seeking activists might choose to form an interest group or engage in direct action over creating a niche party.' - Bonnie M. Meguid, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Rochester

• 1. Introduction 2. The Possibilities of Political Organizations 3. The Effect of Institutions on Organizational Choice 4. Translating Formal Theory Into Empirical Hypotheses 5. Explaining Emergence 6. Explaining Choices 7. Explaining Policy 8. Explaining Motivations 9. Conclusion 10. Appendices Bibliography

Benjamin Farrer is an assistant professor in the Environmental Studies Department at Knox College. His main research and teaching interests are in the field of parties and interest groups.

'Organizing for Policy Influence provides an innovative theory and a careful empirical analysis for understanding how activist groups influence politics in advanced democracies. Farrer persuasively argues that the type of organization that groups of political activists choose–specifically, whether they choose political parties, interest groups, or direct action groups–has profound implications for how these groups of citizens are represented. He looks at current and salient issues, like the environment and immigration, to increase our understanding of activist influence. Under which circumstances should activists organize as interest groups or political parties? Farrer’s analysis provides key insights for important questions like this one.' - Lawrence Ezrow, Professor of Government, University of Essex'Farrer employs an impressive variety of methodological approaches to argue that overlooked and under-represented actors – specifically, environmental activists – have the power to effect policy change. An important corrective to the academic and popular bias in favor of political parties, this book also shows why policy-seeking activists might choose to form an interest group or engage in direct action over creating a niche party.' - Bonnie M. Meguid, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Rochester

• 1. Introduction 2. The Possibilities of Political Organizations 3. The Effect of Institutions on Organizational Choice 4. Translating Formal Theory Into Empirical Hypotheses 5. Explaining Emergence 6. Explaining Choices 7. Explaining Policy 8. Explaining Motivations 9. Conclusion 10. Appendices Bibliography