1Explain the origins of the study of interest groups and why they became so problematic.
Because of the rise of professionalisation of Politics after WW2 and the role Interest Groups play,
fundamental question for democracy raises around the regulation of interest groups.
2What are interest groups?
Organized actors that seek to influence government.
3How do interest groups differ from political parties?
The typically focus on specific interests or policy areas.
Concentrating on one particular problem whereas political parties treat multiple.
Interest groups try to influence government and not become government as political parties seak to achieve.
4Why is it difficult to define interest groups?
The boundaries between interest groups and political parties vary by context.
They play different roles across systems.
Difference between private and public interest groups.
5What is the difference between public and private interest groups.
Private interest groups are sectional and concentrate on material benefits.
Public interest groups are diffusive and try to achieve collective goods.
6What are presssure groups?
Pressure groups is the umbrella concept of all types of groups that:
• are private, voluntary organizations
• seek to influence government
• do not aim to become government
7Describe the republicanism view of interest groups.
They see interest associations as a danger for democracy:
the more particular interests prevail, the less politics reflects the general will of the people
8Describe the pluralist vie of interest groups.
They see interest associations as an essential source of liberty, but this vie rests on two debatable assumptions:
• all citizens enjoy the same capacity to associate
• interest associations are evenly distributed across the political spectrum
9Describe the neocorporatist view of interest groups.
They say interest associations cannot be excluded from politics, but fear that free competition allows stronger interests to dominate weaker ones. So they see a need for regulation to ensure a balacne of power between opposing interest.
10How are interest groups formed according to the logic of collective action?
Individuals act according to cost-benefit calculations, they are more voluntered to take part if the get a benefit from it.
11What do interest groups do?
• Aggregate Interest
• Articulate Interest
• Use multiple methods such as lobbying, research, public campains and events
• Use timing accordingly
12On what depends access to insider and outisder groups?
Access depends on:
• Resources
• expertise
• economic importance
13Who gets access in insider groups?
• decision-makers
• business, professional or expert interests representatives
14Who gets access in outsider groups?
• access is limited
• they rely on protests or public pressure
15Give some core determinanst of interest groups power.
• Money
• Size
• Organisational advantages
• Membership density and recruitment
• Party alignment
• Public opinion