Special interest groups buy votes by making "legal" (READ: Questionable at best) donations to Congressional Representatives and Senators. The problem is there are few rules to keep our elected leaders from taking these badly-shrouded bribes, and the rules they have are not enforced. Also, bear in mind many people in Congress own stock in oil companies and corporations that are big in tobacco like Kraft-Philip Morris, so they have a vested interest in not restricting their profits.
Special interest groups tend to lose focus on anything else other than one (or two) things they are most centrally and intensely focused on, to to the exclusion of the interests of everyone else. As a society we can make accomodations for the interests of small groups but we cannot survive with such narrow-minded self-interest groups forcing their will on the majority - regardless of how "right" and important they think their cause is.
No they help to stimulate democracy by getting more people involved through their selective interests.
There is no simple answer to this question. Interest groups can be seen as both good and bad for American democracy. On the one hand, interest groups help to ensure that diverse voices are heard and that all Americans have a say in the political process. On the other hand, some interest groups can be very powerful and influential, and they may not always have the best interests of the American people at heart.
Supporters of pluralist theory believe that interest groups further democracy by allowing diverse voices and interests to be represented within the political system. They argue that interest groups help to balance power among different groups and prevent any one group from dominating decision-making.
American interest groups are most interested in preserving world health. They are also interested in preserving world peace and expanding democracy.
These can include the political parties. People are able to vote on the people that they want in office. Interest groups also help to keep things honest.
Both interest groups and pressure groups are like the arterial network giving feedback to policies of government. they infact are a basis of 'popular participation' in a democracy.
The six interest groups are: - Public Sector Interest Groups - Foreign Policy Interest Groups - Public Interest Groups - Ideological or Single- Issue Interest Groups - Economic Interest Groups - Lobbyists
Representing the interests of large numbers of people and encouraging political participation.
Three types of interest groups are civil rights interest groups, religious groups, and economic interest groups. Additional types include ideological interest groups, single-issue groups, and government interest groups. There are thousands of interests groups in all.
Three types of interest groups are civil rights interest groups, religious groups, and economic interest groups. Additional types include ideological interest groups, single-issue groups, and government interest groups. There are thousands of interests groups in all.
Business and Economic Interest Groups Economic interest groups advocate for the economic benefit of their members, and business interests groups are a prominent type of economic interest group. Labor Interest Groups Labor interest groups advocate for the economic interests of workers and trade organizations. Professional Interest Groups Professional interest groups represent the economic interests for members of various professions including doctors, engineers, and lawyers. Agricultural Interest Groups Agricultural interest groups are a type of economic interest group that represent farmers. Environmental Interest Groups Environmental interest groups are public-interest groups that advocate around conservation and ecological issues. Consumer Interest Groups Consumer Interest Groups advocate for consumer rights and information. Ideological Interest Groups Ideological interest groups unite on issues, with their work driven by deeply held beliefs. Public Interest Groups Public interest groups advocate for what they consider to be the public good. Single-Issue Interest Groups Single-issue interest groups focus on advocacy around a single defining issue. Governmental Interest Groups Government interest groups are a unique type of interest group that represents the interests of government to other governments.
Yes. The Athenians came together in private groups to discuss issues of interest to them. This was part of the flourishing of Athenian democracy.
The targets of interest groups are the groups of people that can most support the cause. Wealthy people are the targets of medical interest groups for example.