Summary and Main Ideas
Summary
Some interest groups represent a broad set of interests, while others focus on only a single issue. Some interests are organizations, like businesses, corporations, or governments, which register to lobby, typically to obtain some benefit from the legislature. Other interest groups consist of dues-paying members who join a group, usually voluntarily. Some organizations band together, often joining trade associations that represent their industry or field. Interest groups represent either the public interest or private interests. Private interests often lobby government for particularized benefits, which are narrowly distributed. These benefits usually accrue to wealthier members of society. Public interests, on the other hand, try to represent a broad segment of society or even all persons.
Practice Questions
1. What benefits do private and public interests bring to society? What are some disadvantages of private and public interests?
Glossary
collective good: a good such as public safety or clean air, often produced by government, that is generally available to the population as a whole
contract lobbyist: a lobbyist who works for a contract lobbying firm that represents clients before government
in-house lobbyist: an employee or executive within an organization who works as a lobbyist on behalf of the organization
inside lobbying: the act of contacting and taking the organization’s message directly to lawmakers in an attempt to influence policy
legislative liaison: a person employed by a governmental entity such as a local government, executive department, or university to represent the organization before the legislature
lobbyist: a person who represents an organization before government in an attempt to influence policy
membership organization: an interest group that usually consists of dues-paying members who organize around a particular cause or issue
outside lobbying: the act of lobbying indirectly by taking the organization’s message to the public, often through the use of the media and/or by issue press releases, in hopes that the public will then put pressure on lawmakers
particularized benefit: a benefit that generally accrues to a narrow segment of society
public interest group: an interest group that seeks a public good, which is something that accrues to all
This lesson is part of:
American Interest Groups and Lobbying