Group Politics
Interest Groups and Political Parties = major links between Government and the
governed
Differences between Interest Groups and Political Parties?
-Both developed to voice divisions / cleavages in society
-When?
-Political parties: concerned with winning elections; take a broad issue approach for
mass appeal
-Interest groups: narrow issue approach; take the side of particular aspirations / values
of the people the represent
Types of Group
•Communal Groups
-Embedded in social fabric
-Membership is based in birth rather than recruitment
-Founded in shared heritage and traditional bonds of loyalty
Institutional Groups
-Groups that are part of the machinery of government
-Attempt to exert influence in and through machinery of government
-Enjoy no measure of autonomy or independence
-Examples?
Interest Groups and Political Parties = major links between Government and the
governed
Differences between Interest Groups and Political Parties?
-Both developed to voice divisions / cleavages in society
-When?
-Political parties: concerned with winning elections; take a broad issue approach for
mass appeal
-Interest groups: narrow issue approach; take the side of particular aspirations / values
of the people the represent
Types of Group
•Communal Groups
-Embedded in social fabric
-Membership is based in birth rather than recruitment
-Founded in shared heritage and traditional bonds of loyalty
Institutional Groups
-Groups that are part of the machinery of government
-Attempt to exert influence in and through machinery of government
-Enjoy no measure of autonomy or independence
-Examples?
