Interest groups may support or oppose political candidates, however, their goals are usually more issue-specific and narrowly focused on areas like taxes, the environment, and gun rights or gun control, or their membership is limited to specific professions.
Due to a 1995 lobbying disclosure law, it is now easier to monitor lobbying activities. Why might a U.S. citizen join an interest group rather than simply exercising his or her right to vote? Interest groups offer further means of political participation.
the members of a group tend to include insiders and outsiders The idea that power concentrates in fewer and fewer hands is called the iron rule of oligarcy Authority refers to using power
Primary relationships are more likely to develop if the size of the group is small. What is the main reason for this fact? it is easier to know individuals well when you are in a small group rather than a larger one A motel manager requires that all maids wear the same uniform or they will be fired. This is an example of coercion
Interest groups represent the interests of members to policy makers.
They cannot serve as lobbyists before their agencies for two years after leaving government service.
Right to freely associate with others and form groups, as protected by the First Amendment.
Chapter 8 : Interest groups. Groups of citizens who share a common interest— a political opinion, a religious or ideological belief, a social goal, or an economic characteristic—and try to influence public policy to benefit themselves.