Interest Groups

1_Definition of Interest Groups
  Interest Groups "any association of individuals or organizations, usually formally organized, that, on the basis of one or more shared concerns, attempts to influence public policy in its favour." 
    All interest groups share a desire to affect government policy to benefit themselves or their causes. Their goal could be a policy that exclusively benefits group members or one segment of society (e.g., government subsidies for farmers) or a policy that advances a broader public purpose (e.g., improving air quality). They attempt to achieve their goals by lobbying—that is, by attempting to bring pressure to bear on policy makers to gain policy outcomes in their favour.
2_ Role of interest groups 
   In modern political systems, the interest groups are very active and proliferated. Their political roles are expanding and rooted in the needs of the modern political systems. With the growing complexity of the societies, the scope and functions of government is expanding which in turn make individuals to organize themselves into groups to influence the government in creation and allocation of values. Governments also need interest groups in order to generate support for the system.
   Generally, interest groups and pressure groups are used interchangeably but they are not synonymous in nature. Interest groups are organized groups of people which seek to promote their specific interests. Whereas pressure group is an interest group which exerts pressure on the government or decision makers for the fulfillment of their interests. All pressure groups are interest groups while all interest groups may not be pressure groups.
3_ The Differences between Interest Groups and Pressure Groups :
The major differences between them are as follows:

Interest Groups	Pressure Groups	
Formally organized 	Strictly structured	
Interest – oriented 	Pressure – oriented	
May or may not influence
the policies of the
government	Influence the policies of
the government	
Softer in outlook 	Harsher in outlook	
More or less protective 	Protective and promotive	

4_ Characteristics of interest groups
a* Interest groups are well organized.
b* They are having certain common interests which unite its members.
c* The interest is specific and particular.
d* They seek to attain, protect and promote their interests for which they are united.