Interest Groups Research Paper

In a pluralist democracy like in the United States, interest groups have played a major role throughout the history through highly organized factions and are aimed at different levels of government. Lobbying is one of the tactics of the interest groups to aid their agenda through implementing new laws and regulations. "If you want to have your face in the light, you should have your back in the dark". Similarly, the influences of the interests groups and lobbyists have good and bad effects on the people and the society.

The definition of an interest group is any organization that actively seeks to influence public policy (Patterson, 2013). The two types of interest groups that influence the public are economic groups and citizens’ groups.

Interest groups can be both bad and good for democracy. The interest groups are able to lobby to congress to help out different organizations. They basically work on a “you do a favor for me and I’ll do a favor for you later” basis. This gives the lobbyist an influence over congress. They can be bad for the democracy because too much influence and power can be a bad thing. The issue they are lobbying for may not be a good cause.

Restrictions shall not merely cover the spending part of the interest groups but shall also identify the beneficiaries receiving the benefits. Nevertheless, it should not prevent the interest groups to play their part as a bridge between the large society and the legislature. It should be in the best interest of the democracy that every society should have the right to be heard and the interest groups shall be the mediator to access the voice of the public to the government.

In my opinion, there must be strict rules toward how interest group lobby and their amount of spending to lobby. Political leaders are elected by the citizens so that they can make regulations that support general interest of public not only certain group of people. Interest group might also be doing same thing for betterment of people but sometimes they would be doing something that would not be in favor of people. Therefore, it is necessary to make strict regulations for

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).???????????

There are many hundreds of interest groups in the United States, all advocating and arguing to change or defend someone or something that they feel is being threatened. Three of which are the National Rifle Association (NRA), the Dollar Coin Alliance, and the Sports Fans Coalition. These three interest groups, also known as lobby groups, advocacy groups, and more, are interesting in their own way. By comparing these three groups, the diversity and wide variety of these groups show how much variety there is in the interest group world.

Super PAC’s may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, associations and individuals, then spend unlimited sums to overtly advocate for or against political candidates (1). Spending in the US federal elections increased from just a mere $3 billion in 2000 to more than $7 billion in 2012 (1). These Super PACs play an important role in American politics because of their ability to raise funds for certain candidates.

2002). Interest groups usually only pursued elected officials only by the extent of them activates and informational resources that prove to be relevant to their chances for election or re-election (Burstein, P., & Linton, A. 2002). The amount of monetary contributions an interest group contributes to elected officials pulls a lot of weight with how they may vote on an issue.

On the other hand it includes some merits also. As everything has two sides the influence of the interest groups and lobbyist also have some pros and cons. Talking about pros, it use the democratic way where people express their freedom and also these groups can easily influence the policymakers as mentioned above. They are known to be providing positive solutions to any problem related to politics. On the other hand it includes some demerits also.

As I go on reading I personally feel there must be some restriction for the interest group. I agree that these interest group represent large number of people in society and making strict to them may somehow looks like not fully democracy. I am not saying they are not allowed on what they are doing but some limitations should be made. Though they represent the large number of society but not all and the remaining are also counted and have to have their right.

An interest group is “an organization that pressures elected officials to enact legislation favorable to its causes” (American Government). IGs are strong supporter of pluralism, this is that all interest groups are and should be free to compete for government influence. If IGs gain enough government interest the purpose of that group can turn into a law to benefit the environment. There are many different types of interest group such as economic interest group, nongovernment organization, public issues and more, these all improve the health and safety of communities.

Interest groups are defined as “organized groups of citizens who seek to ensure that the state enacts particular policies.” Interests groups tend to me more organized compared to social movements with a more professional format. They focus more on mobilization and benefits for political institutions by lobbying for certain laws/ regulations or government members. In this case an interest group would lobby for a reduction in carbon emissions. Therefore, they would support certain political parties or officials that have the same goals in mind. Within the Indian political system there are two green parties, so an interest group would help fund their campaign and try to have an influence over the carbon policy. Furthermore, India

Interest groups are the main group in the United States. Interest groups are the private organizations whose members share certain views and work to shape the making and the content of public policy. Also they are known as pressure group or special interest. Interest groups try to influence the policies of the government and they do strike on the one thing they focus on. This group gives a lot of positive impacts to America. These groups don’t seek for votes; they are only interested in influencing the policies of government and they help to stimulate the interests in public affairs. Also they provide useful specialized and detailed information to the government. In addition to that these groups provide checks and balances on each other and the behavior of officials in the government. Interest groups are mostly found in economic interest and they use propaganda, which is a technique of persuasion aimed at influencing individual or group behavior. Sometimes the lobbyist helps the interest groups by lobbying. Lobbying is usually defined as those activities by which a group pressures are brought to hear on legislators and the legislative process and this helps the interest groups to take their interests or the issue that

He goes on to explain how the law when finally passed is unlikely to mirror their exact interest, as when it moved through the legislative process other interest groups asserted their influence to modify it in ways to accommodate their interest. This gives us a simple but clear idea of the effect interest groups have on policy making and makes one wonder the conduciveness of such actions to the economy if politics are to pamper to the interests of interest groups. Murphy (2010) also outlined that interest groups do not only effect government but they also exercise their influence on policy through public and private channels both directly and indirectly.