Interest Groups
Definition
Interest groups are organizations or associations that aim to influence public policy in favor of their specific interests.
Analogy
Imagine interest groups as fans cheering at a sports game. They're not playing on the field (government), but they try to influence the outcome by cheering, booing, or waving signs - just as interest groups lobby government officials and advocate for policies.
Related terms
Lobbying: The act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies. Like fans trying to convince referees about an unfair call.
Political Action Committee (PAC): A type of organization that pools campaign contributions from members and donates those funds to campaigns for or against candidates, ballot initiatives, or legislation. Like fans raising money together to support their team’s needs.
Grassroots Movement: A movement driven by community members at local level seeking change at the local, regional, national, or international level. Like a fan club started by neighborhood kids who love their local team.
"Interest Groups" appears in:
Subjects (1)
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Additional resources (2)
Practice Questions (14)
- Which of the following best describes the relationship between bureaucracy and interest groups?
- How do interest groups influence modern political campaigns?
- Which of the following best describes the primary goal of interest groups in influencing policy making?
- Interest groups aim to influence policy making by:
- What is one of the ways interest groups can exert influence on policymakers?
- Which action is most often taken by interest groups to influence Congressional decisions?
- How do interest groups exert influence over bureaucracies?
- How has the political influence exerted by interest groups like the NRA shaped public policy related to gun rights in America?
- If there had been no influence from interest groups like NRA during debates about gun control legislation, what might have been a probable outcome?
- What is the role of interest groups in balancing minority and majority rights?
- What is one way in which interest groups aim to protect minority rights?
- How do religious institutions contrast with interest groups regarding the process of political socialization?
- Why have interest groups remained influential in American politics?
- How does technology change the way interest groups influence policy-making?
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