The Function Of Interest Groups In A Democratic System
Like political parties, interest groups perform critical functions in a democratic system. In the process of attempting to influence politics and policy, interest groups
1.organize individuals with similar interests
Just as parties organize the unorganized, interest groups provide the means for people with common interests to find each other, pool their resources, and engage in collective action .
This function of interest groups points up the important distinction between interests andinterest groups. There are many identifiable interests in society that are not represented or organized by a group. Organizing a group that actively supports a specific interest requires a great deal of sustained work
2.inform the public and elected officials
Organized interest groups develop considerable expertise on the …show more content…
Competing groups would have roughly equal access to the resources necessary to publicize their view, and their competing positions (as long as they are basically reasonable) would receive roughly equal public exposure. This rosy portrait of full and informed public deliberation also assumes that the public is both present and paying attention.
3. organize electoral competition
Interest groups are often deeply concerned with the outcomes of elections, and they promote their concerns, support candidates who will support their positions, and oppose candidates who disagree with them. Though interest groups usually do not explicitly label candidates as members of their group (as parties do), candidates and parties seek interest group support. Interest groups in turn inject considerable resources into campaigns, sharpening the distinctions among candidates, providing information on issues over which candidates compete for voter support, and often affecting election outcomes.
4.organize
1.organize individuals with similar interests
Just as parties organize the unorganized, interest groups provide the means for people with common interests to find each other, pool their resources, and engage in collective action .
This function of interest groups points up the important distinction between interests andinterest groups. There are many identifiable interests in society that are not represented or organized by a group. Organizing a group that actively supports a specific interest requires a great deal of sustained work
2.inform the public and elected officials
Organized interest groups develop considerable expertise on the …show more content…
Competing groups would have roughly equal access to the resources necessary to publicize their view, and their competing positions (as long as they are basically reasonable) would receive roughly equal public exposure. This rosy portrait of full and informed public deliberation also assumes that the public is both present and paying attention.
3. organize electoral competition
Interest groups are often deeply concerned with the outcomes of elections, and they promote their concerns, support candidates who will support their positions, and oppose candidates who disagree with them. Though interest groups usually do not explicitly label candidates as members of their group (as parties do), candidates and parties seek interest group support. Interest groups in turn inject considerable resources into campaigns, sharpening the distinctions among candidates, providing information on issues over which candidates compete for voter support, and often affecting election outcomes.
4.organize