![]() ![]() In countries such as Sweden, where the state is unitary and policy making is centralized, there are not as many access points for interest groups to affect policy, and consequently, the incentive to form them is not as great. The more power is dispersed within the state, the more opportunities for special interests to apply pressure on it. The open, diffused, fractured structure of policy making in the United States invites groups with a stake in policy to lobby and exert influence. For example, the divided, decentralized political institutions of the United States create many access points at which groups can influence policy: at the state level, in the Senate, in the House of Representatives, and in the courts. The interest group universe is larger in some countries than others because their state structures are more conducive to pressure group influence. In other countries, interest groups are not as plentiful, even when one controls for population. In the United States, special interests proliferate. Some countries have a plethora of interest groups. They are creatures of their staff, who simply ask people to send a check to finance them. But these professional advocacy organizations do not need to involve their supporters in the life of the organization. Previously, members engaged in politics by participating in the life of the organization, developing civic values and leadership skills in the process. These interest groups, in contrast to older ones, dispense with dues-paying members and local chapters and rely on foundations, direct mail, or Internet fund-raising appeals for money. The Internet has not only facilitated interest group formation but given impetus to professional advocacy organizations such as. The Internet permits interest groups to travel light because it reduces start-up costs. The expense of a bureaucracy to carry out basic functions of recruitment and coordination can now be avoided because these tasks can be done cheaper and more quickly through social media. Bonchek, âelectronic forms of communication reduce communication, coordination and information costs, facilitating group formation, group efficiency, membership recruitment and retention.â 18 Organizers can recruit members, appeal for contributions, inform supporters, and coordinate their activity through a website, which is inexpensive to create and maintain. According to the political scientist Mark S. ![]() To some extent, the challenges of interest group formation and mobilization have been reduced by technological innovations such as the Internet. They derive emotional satisfaction from joining others in an organization that seeks to realize their shared values. Other groups avoid the free rider problem by offering people an opportunity to feel fellowship in a common enterprise. Some groups offer material incentives, some tangible reward for becoming a member, such as discounts on insurance or purchases. Nevertheless, the Sierra Club and interest groups like it do exist because they offer a variety of incentives that entice people to join them. But if everyone acted rationally in this way, free riding on the activity of others, no interest groups would form. ![]() For example, it is rational not to contribute to the Sierra Club and enjoy the benefits of clean air and water it helps promote while letting others pay dues to it. It is rational for people to try to gain the benefits that interest groups create without paying the costs of joining or participating in them. In addition, interest group formation faces the free rider problem. For this reason, interest groups that promote the interests of poor people, who lack time, money, and leadership skills, are very rare, whereas those of higher status groups, who have these resources, are more common. Such skills and resources may not exist and are certainly not evenly distributed among groups. Someone has to invest time, provide leadership, and commit resources to make it happen. It may appear natural and easy for people with common interests to organize in pursuit of their shared goals, but interest group formation is not so simple and straightforward. But unlike political parties, interest groups do not nominate candidates to run for office. Interest groups engage in many of the same activities as political parties: raising money, mobilizing voters, and supporting candidates. Political participation can also take the form of interest group activity, in which people with common interests organize to influence policy makers. LO 3.4: Define interest groups and distinguish between pluralist and corporatist interest group systems. ![]()
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