Public opinion and interest group politics around the world : instructive insight? -- Special interests and how they help shape US legislation : interesting possibilities or potential pitfalls? Fundraising for social change in the US : interest group advocacy in contemporary US elections / Interest groups in the German political system : advice for South Africa? / Public opinion and interest group politics in South Africa : comparing perspectives -- Understanding the South African political psyche / The character of the South African state : the self-understanding of the ANC as government and its impact on the public space / The methodology of polling public opinion in South Africa : measuring the pulse of the people / Managing public opinion during the 2009 South African elections / The possibilities of election campaigns as sites for political advocacy : South Africa in comparative perspective / Challenges for interest groups and their advocacy campaigns : the case of sustainable medium density housing / An interest group at work : environmental activism and the case of acid mine drainage on Johannesburg's West Rand / Championing public opinion : a future for interest groups? -- Managing campaings to influence the public policy agenda : putting theory into practice / Advocacy and financing that shapes and shifts public opinion / Government and access effects on the use of social networking sites by nationwide NGOs in the US, South Africa and Mexico / The ability of social movements to affect policy change in South Africa and the US : comparing and contrasting key elements of HIV/AIDS treatment and welfare entitlement campaigns / Beyond appeasement : the real business agenda / Democracy without a choice? Interest groups, advocacy and political behaviour in Namibia : a warning for South Africa? / Conclusion : cause for study