The Nature of Interest Groups

1. The Nature of Interest Groups Chapter 9, sec 1

2. Interest Groups Differ From Political Parties in Several Ways • Interest groups do not nominate candidates. • Interest groups want to influence or control government policies. Political parties want to control government itself. • Interest groups concentrate on one issue. Political parties are interested in many issues of public concern.

3. Interest Groups Have Historically Been Regarded With Suspicion • James Madison warned against uncontrolled “factions” that might conflict with the community’s interests. • Madison hoped to moderate the power of interest groups through a balance of power so that no faction would become dominant.

4. Interest Groups Fulfill Many Functions in American Society • Interest groups help stimulate interest in public affairs. • Interest groups represent their members based on shared attitudes rather than shared geography. • Interest groups provide specialized information to government agencies.

5. Interest Groups Fulfill Many Functions in American Society • Interest groups are vehicles for political participation. • Interest groups provide additional checks and balances to the system. • Interest groups compete with one another in the public arena.

6. Interest Groups Pose Problems • Have influence far out of proportion to their membership • Hard to tell how many people an interest group truly represents • Many interest groups do not really represent the views of all the people for whom they claim to speak. • Some groups use unfair or illegal tactics