Interfaith Advocacy

Katherine E. Knutson is Associate Professor of Political Science at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. Her research and teaching interests are in the field of American politics, and she specializes in religion and politics and public policy. Knutson’s research appears in several edited books and academic journals including, Politics and Religion, PS: Political Science and Politics, and the Journal of Communication and Religion.

• 1. Unlikely Ties: The Joint Religious Legislative Coalition. 2. Seeds of Faith: Founding an Interfaith Coalition. 3. Joining the Club: Membership and the JRLC. 4. Joining Forces: Coalitions, Policymaking, and Political Conflict. 5. Behind Closed Doors: Using Inside Lobbying. 6. Rallying the Troops: Using Outside Lobbying. 7. Getting Out the Vote: Group Involvement in Campaigns and Elections. 8. The Challenges and Opportunities of Interfaith Coalitions.

"Religion and politics have always mixed in the United States. Today, religion-based advocacy groups are more active than ever before. In Interfaith Advocacy, Katherine Knutson tells the in-depth story of one religious advocacy group—the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC)—that is active in Minnesota state politics. Using a variety of qualitative research methods, Dr. Knutson reaches a number of important conclusions about the mobilization and survival of religion-based interest groups, the role of interest groups in the policy process, the nature of coalitional politics, and the important role of religion-based groups in representing the views of underrepresented citizens. More than a mere case study, this book is an important contribution to the study of interest group representation in the United States."—Anthony J. Nownes, University of Tennessee, Knoxville"Drawing extensively on interviews and primary source material over several decades, Knutson tells a rich, contextual story of interfaith activism in state politics. While keeping the story engaging and accessible, she draws smartly on both political science theory and the literature on interest group activity. This makes Interfaith Advocacy a very worthwhile read for students and scholars alike."—J. Matthew Wilson, Southern Methodist University