Survey of Common Cause members, 1981

The purpose of this data collection was to explore the political, social, and personal factors that facilitate or hinder participation in a political group like Common Cause. Primarily designed to examine political participation and the role of voluntary associations, the study also was stimulated by the growing literature on the role of incentives and self-interest in organizational life and political participation. The three sections of the questionnaire focused on: (1) Common Cause, including the respondent's reasons for joining, participation in internal activities, knowledge of the group's position on important issues, and activities on behalf of the group, (2) the respondent's views on national issues and political institutions, and (3) respondent's social background (including education, income, ethnicity, employment, age, and sex) and participation in partisan and non-partisan activities besides Common Cause. These data permit a comparison of rank-and-file members of Common Cause with those identified as activists in the organization.