Interest Groups In American Politics

A part of the “darker side” of Washington is considered by the American public as interest groups. Even James Madison described them in the federalist papers he wrote in 1787 as “factions” that could be dangerous. The modern day hasn’t changed much. People today largely agree with Madison in how they view interest groups. What interest groups do, how they are supported, and what their stances are an interesting mix of controversy, clash, and representation.

It is evident that interest groups have more of an influence than a citizen’s ability to

Interest groups have a lot of influence over decision that the government makes and has made. These groups, when formed right, are highly organized and have a definite agenda they are trying to push that is important to them. Interest groups will lobby in congress as well as other levels of government to get new laws and regulations passed.

Public interest lobbies form a linkage element between citizens and governmental elites. In lobbying they articulate what they perceive to be the issue positions of certain sectors of society. Public interest groups also play an important role in facilitating the political participation of their members and related attentive publics. By helping to bring new issues to the table, interest groups influence the shape of political agendas.

It is necessary to maintain balance between such interest groups. The only way to maintain balance between these group is to create limitation for their spending to lobby lawmakers. For example, we can take “Texas Rifle Association” who are lobbying in order to pass gun laws and regulations in their favor. Making such laws like carrying gun to be legal might not be voice of all common groups. So government should make strict rules to limit influence of such interest group toward lawmaking process. Doing so can help all the voices of people to be heard rather than self-interest of certain group of people who are

Which is the most likely cause for rapid increase in number of interest groups in recent decades?- Developments in technology made interest group activities easier.

An interest group also known as a special interest group or a lobby is an organized group of individuals, organizations, or businesses who share a goal. The interest group forms an alliance in support of their cause to influence public policy and government officials in the group 's favor. The goal of the group could be focused on small group, such as the Japan Eraser Manufacturer 's Association; or the goal could be focused on a large public group, such as family and friends of public school-aged children in the United States. "The most important lobbying forces in any society are the various entities of government: national, regional, and local government agencies and institutions such as the military" (Thomas).???????????

But interest groups do not have a real place in congress. For them to affect motions in congress they need to utilise their powers of persuasion to influence the right people.

An interest group is an organized group of people that come together to attempt to influence policymakers in any level of government. They influence the different levels of government by giving money to a political candidate. They write letters, emails, and make phone calls to the policymakers. They attempt to get the policymakers to make legislation reflecting the objectives of the group (This Nation, 2008).

interest groups are activity involved in the legislature process (on the national level) seeking to

You have put across some important points that I concur with. While it may look like interest groups are representing the issues of the majority, I think they are out there representing their own issues and those beneficial to them. Weaker interest groups do not have a fair chance compared to influential ones and this could be due to lack of political support, and inadequate financial resources which are both significant in the influence of an interest group. Regulation on how these groups operate could probably give a fair chance to most if not all interest groups. I like that you pointed out that "legislation is not created equal," because this lack of inequality is a good opportunity for an interest group to be created and help bring equality.

In the chapter titled “Toward a Broader View of Interest Groups” by Terry Moe, he talks about the theoretical perspectives that involve around interest groups. These perspectives are traditional pluralism, Olson’s model of collective action and a new theory in which Terry Moe calls the “revised” perspective. Moe claims that the purpose of the paper is to reinforce the idea that both the traditional pluralist theory and Olson’s collective action are not entirely acceptable. He claims that understanding interest groups would be clearer if the perspective on this subject were made broader so that both views can fit in a single framework. Another purpose of this paper is to suggest that group membership is also an implication of a large variety

Interest groups and advocacy groups have an undeniably strong influence in Washington, and while the results of lobbying efforts are not often touted, they sway policy in areas like energy, housing, public finance, education, gun control and many more. These interest groups may represent parochial interests, but there is surely an area of policy that matches most splintered-off factions. While they’ve been portrayed as shadowy forces in lawmaking, “Interest Group Influence on US Policy Change: An Assessment Based on Policy History” by Matt Grossmann attempts to quantify and

Interest groups once called Pressure groups, are a group of people that are held together through a common single interest. They come together in order to promote their interest and influence the government. Their interests usually revolve around education, safety, agriculture, and the economy. Groups of such kind are mentioned in the constitution, however, they do tend to be chaotic. Interest groups are not meant to last they are only temporary. Once their main interest is

     We elect politicians on the basis on the issues by which they stand, and these issues are either held up or weakened by the numerous interest groups that exist today. Interest groups target both major and minor issues, using all of their resources to sponsor or overpower the groups’ concern. Interest groups are composed of a limited range of the body of voters who have a great stake in the issues their group support. They make evident the issues their group supports. Their resources are used in an attempt to make their issue public policy. Interest groups are persistent; they do not give up until they succeed. They lobby congress, take legal action,