lnterest group, also known as a special interest, advocacy group, or pressure group, is an association of individuals or organizations, usually organized formally, on the basis of one or more relationships common sense, trying to influence public policy in their favor. All interest groups share a common desire to influence government policy for their own benefit or for their own ends. Their goal can be a policy that benefits only group members or a segment of society (e.g. government subsidies to farmers) or a policy that promotes a broad public goal. They try to achieve their goals by applying pressure, i.e. trying to put pressure on policymakers to achieve political results in their favor.

Interest groups are a natural outgrowth of communities of interest that exist in every society, from narrow groups like the Japan Gum Manufacturers Association to larger groups like the American Federation of Labor United – Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and even larger organizations such as the military. Interest is a central, permanent, and essential aspect of all political systems, whether democratic, authoritarian, or totalitarian. In addition, interest groups exist at all levels of government – national, state, provincial and local – and play an increasingly important role in affairs. However, the common goals and origins of interest groups mask the fact that they differ considerably in terms of lobbying form and strategy both within and between systems.

Public Interest Groups 

Public interest groups or public interest lobbying groups are groups that seek to promote their interests for a large section of society and not just for its members. For example, a group that fights against bondage by debt or child labor. Public interest groups are also called advocacy groups because they promote the collective interest rather than being selective, Another example: BAMCFF is an organization made up mostly of government employees that campaign against class discrimination. It fights for the problem of its members being victims of class discrimination. But his main concern is social justice and social equality for society as a whole.

This growth in the public interest sector has been more than offset by a similar explosion in the number and activity of organized interest groups and other politically active organizations that seek only profit. useful or primarily to their members. Public interest groups often provide an effective counterweight to the activities of these closer associations. The growth of interest group politics is not without its negative consequences. Some critics argue that all interest groups, including “public interest groups”, ultimately pursue relatively narrow goals that are important mainly to fairly limited constituencies. A politics based on the competition of these groups can be one in which well-organized narrow interests prevail over poorly organized broader interests. It can also lead to reduced government efficiency and economic inefficiencies. Furthermore, public interest groups seem to derive most of their support and membership from the middle and upper economic classes, whose interests and concerns then influence. 

Public interest groups can be local, national, or even international. For example, on my little trip, we had a public interest group called Keep It Beautiful. It exists to encourage people in our county to take care of their private property as well as public spaces, like parks and roads. Scaling up is the Sierra Club. Nationally, this public interest group promotes environmental awareness through slogans such as “Conserve Our Wild Americas.” Perhaps the most famous is the mentioned Greenpeace, a public interest group that works internationally to protect the environment. 

Although public interest groups are often concerned with environmental issues, it would be a mistake to assume that their scope is limited to that. In contrast, public interest groups exist for things like religious freedom, gender equality, safe work practices, protection from political oppression, and so on. Given this range of topics, it is important to remember that public interest groups must exist for the benefit of all, not just for the benefit of a few.

Examples of public interest groups

1. ABA Committee on Homelessness and Poverty. 
2. AIDS Policy Center for Children, Youth, and Families. 
3. Information on the affordable housing industry. 
4. American Association of the Disabled.
5. American Council of Consulting Engineers

Functioning of Public Interest Group

1. Sometimes members of a public interest group may perform an activity that benefits themselves and others. For example, BAMCEF (Background Minority Community Employees Federation), is an organization that fights against class discrimination.
2. They aim to help people and take charge of the issues they care about.
3. They even address issues that may not benefit team members. 
4. They fight for social justice and social equality. Example: BAMCEF (Employee Federation of Minority and Outdated Communities)

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Explain the main role of interest groups? 

Answer:

Interest groups are formed to advance the interests or concerns of their members. They are primarily interested in influencing public policy. Since their core function is to put pressure on policymakers, interest groups are sometimes referred to as ‘lobbying’ or ‘pressure groups’.

Question 2: Explain the form of the relationship between stakeholder groups and political parties. 

Answer:

Relationships between political parties and stakeholder groups can take many forms. Stakeholder groups are often formed and led by politicians and political parties. Most unions and student organizations in India are founded or affiliated with a major political party.  Political parties sometimes grow out of the movement. This is how parties like DMK and AIADMK have emerged.

Question 3: What is the public interest approach?  

Answer:

The theory of public interest  is  part of welfare economics. They emphasizes that regulation should maximize social welfare, and that regulation should follow a cost-benefit analysis to determine if the increase in the cost of social welfare.