Term
| Interest Groups and Social Movements |
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Definition
- Bring together people with common interests and a common sense of identity for the purpose of influencing the political process
- Not part of the state, but may have close relationships with the state
- They are different from political parties as they do not seek public office
- They may seek to influence public policy or aim to influence the beliefs/values of fellow citizens
- Part of civil society |
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Term
| Functions of Interest Groups and Social Movements |
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Definition
1) To provide a means for citizens to express their views to government and to participate in the political system
2) To influence the policies followed by governments, international organizations and corporations
3) To influence views held in society
4) To provide information and legitimacy to governments and to international organizations |
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Term
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Definition
Latent groups - Have no formal organization, have interests in common, but are not organized by a formal group (ex. All taxpayers, the unemployed, etc.)
Institutionalized groups - o Highly organized, represent interests of members/try to influence government policy. Characterized by a permanent organization and often employs professionals. They tend to use conventional means to achieve their goals (ex. Lobbying) and their demands tend to follow patterns/are easily negotiable. |
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Term
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Definition
- Network of activists, informally linked
- Broad goals, often sharply at variance with the assumptions of policymakers
- Goals not easily negotiable
- Aim to influence society as well as the state
- Often use unconventional means (including civil disobedience and direct action)
- Limited economic resources
- Participatory decision-making
- May acquire over time characteristics of an institutionalized group |
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Term
| How Groups and Movements Influence Public Policy |
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Definition
- Influencing politicians
- Influencing the bureaucracy
- Influence through lobbying
- Influencing the courts
- Influencing the media
- Influence at the Transnational level |
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Term
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Definition
| Protests that take the form of disruption of the normal activities of society, such as demonstrations and civil disobedience. |
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Term
Are Interest Groups Too Powerful? |
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Definition
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YES
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NO
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Superior financial resources of business groups can give them privileged access to political elites
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Interest groups essential to the healthy functioning of democratic political institutions
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Certain influential groups may influence public policy against the interests of the democratic majority
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Severe weakening of interest groups by a repressive state may undermine democracy
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Moneyed groups can circumvent election spending laws and unfairly influence election outcomes
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Mobilization of societal interest facilitates transition to democracy (e.g. Mexico, Eastern Europe, Philippines, South Africa)
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Term
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Definition
- Articulate specific interests
- Provide responsiveness to the political system
- Influence the policies of governments, international organizations and corporations
- Influence views held in society
- Provide government with specific info
- Augment government services |
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