Interest groups
Interest groups are organizations formed by individuals who share common interests or objectives and seek to influence public policy. They can be categorized into various types, including economic, labor, agricultural, professional, public interest, and single-issue groups. Interest groups play a significant role in the political landscape, advocating for specific causes, representing businesses, or addressing social issues. Over time, the emergence of interest groups in the United States has evolved through distinct phases, beginning with pro-independence groups in the 18th century and progressing through charitable organizations in the 19th century, labor movements during industrialization, and professional associations in the 20th century. The modern era, particularly since the 1960s, has seen a surge in interest groups focused on human rights and environmental issues. Factors contributing to the growth of these groups include the diversity of the population, the American constitutional structure that fosters political activity, and the federalist system allowing multiple avenues for lobbying. Interest groups also emerge in response to government policies, with many representing specialized segments of society on various issues, including veterans' rights, environmental protection, and civil liberties. Overall, interest groups reflect the complexities of society and the diverse perspectives within it.
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Subject Terms
Interest groups
The joining together of individuals with a common interest or for a common purpose has a long history in the United States. These groups are generally referred to as interest groups, which are defined as organizations of people with shared ideas and attitudes who attempt to influence public policy. They may be economic groups, business groups, labor groups, agricultural groups, professional groups, public interest groups or single-issue groups. They may also be referred to as advocacy groups, lobbying groups, pressure groups, or membership groups. There are two main types of interest groups, institutional interest groups and membership interest groups. The former represents businesses or other powerful groups, such as the National Association of Manufacturers or the United States Chamber of Commerce. Membership groups support individuals for social, business, labor, or charitable purposes to achieve political or civil goals, for example the American Bar Association or the Sierra Club.
Overview
The emergence of the first interest groups in the United States can be traced back to the pro-independence groups of the eighteenth century. In the mid-nineteenth century charitable organizations were founded to help the poor, and a few decades later interest groups mobilized around the issues that arose in the wake of rapid industrialization, which focused on the economic interests and the protection of employers and workers. These early labor groups eventually coalesced into modern American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CLO). The third phase of interest groups emerged in the early 1920s with the development of professional associations. The fourth and most recent phase of interest groups, arising since the 1960s, is characterized by groups promoting post-industrial values, including human rights and environmental protection.
Along with these four distinct phases, the structural and organizational character of the United States has played a significant role in the rapid growth of interest groups. Since the 1960s, the number of interest groups has burgeoned. This is attributable to a number of factors, including: (1) the diversity of social circumstances of the population in terms of income, religion, and race; (2) the American constitutional system, which encourages organized political activity, including that of interest groups; (3) the federalist structure of the United States, which allows for a considerable number of platforms from which to lobby and engage with politics and legislation; and (4) the declining number of political parties, which has been mirrored by an increase in interest groups representing ever more specialized segments of society. Likewise, the emergence of new interest groups is often a direct response to the introduction or development of government policies and programs. These groups seek to protect their interests or the benefits instilled to them. Examples include various veterans’ organizations, the National Rifle Association, the American Association of Retired People, the American Medical Association, and the American Farm Bureau Federation. Additionally, religious or morality-based movements that galvanize around issues central to their values or beliefs have become popular since the 1960s. These include the National Right to life Committee, the National Organization for Women, the American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International, the Christian Coalition, and the Southern Poverty Law Center, among a multitude of others.
Bibliography
Ainsworth, Scott. Analyzing Interest Groups: Group Influence on People and Policies. Norton, 2002.
Allern, Elin H., and Tim Bale. "Political Parties and Interest Groups Disentangling Complex Relationships." Party Politics, vol. 18, no. 1, 2012, pp. 7–25.
Berman, Larry, and Bruce Allen Murphy. Approaching Democracy: American Government in Times of Challenge. 10th ed., Routledge, 2023.
Franz, Michael. Choices and Changes: Interest Groups in the Electoral Process. Temple UP, 2008.
Gray, Virginia, David Lowery, and Jennifer K. Benz. Interest Groups and Health Care Reform across the United States. Georgetown UP, 2013.
Nownes, Anthony. Interest Groups in American Politics: Pressure and Power. 3rd ed., Routledge, 2023.
Petrova, Maria. "Mass Media and Special Interest Groups." Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, vol. 84, no. 1, 2012, pp. 17–38.
Strolovitch, Dara. Affirmative Advocacy: Race, Class, and Gender in Interest Group Politics. U of Chicago P, 2008.