Advocacy

Advocacy can be defined as "public support for or recommendation of a particular cause or policy". It is a process by which an individual or group aims to effect changes within political and economic institutions.

Forms
Advocacy can include many activities that a person or organization undertakes, which can be conducted via media campaigns, public speaking, commissioning and publishing research. It can include conducting exit polls or the filing of an amicus curiae. 
Lobbying
Particularly, lobbying is a form of advocacy. This is where a direct approach is made to legislators on an issue in modern politics. Professional lobbyists are employed by advocacy groups also called special interest groups.
Prevalence
There are any number of corporations, religious groups, civil rights groups, think tanks and foundations who want to make sure their interests are heard by lawmakers.Christine Mahoney, Brussels versus the Beltway: Advocacy in the United States and the European Union (Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 2008), p. 1  Link  This is both in the United States and the European Union. Advocacy groups also use their influence in the election and appointing of judges.Dimino, Michael R., 'We Have Met the Special Interests, and We Are They', Missouri Law Review (2009),  HighBeam Research. (July 23, 2015) Link 
Related pages
 Equity
 Petition
 Equality
 Disability
 Civil rights
 Revolution
 Human rights
 Civil disobedience

 References 

Category:Legal terms