Description:American political parties are dying out, says the author, as powerful interest groups utilize their vast grassroots networks and financial resources to perform more and more of the parties' traditional functions. If companies and business associations are to compete effectively in this new environment, they will have to rethink their lobbying, political, and public outreach strategies. Mack says business organizations can no longer rely just on financing political campaigns and candidates. They must get more involved in grassroots political campaigns, and engage in innovative issues advocacy including long-term business and economic issues.