The Roles of Interest Groups in The Society

The Importance of Interest Groups

Interest groups often appeal to the federal, state and local government with an aim of expressing their preference. They usually contact the elected official, their staffs, and bureaucrats face to face in order to solve a particular concern. Interest groups occasionally create episodic encounters with the government when they meet to seek a common goal. This essay is an illustration of the usefulness of the interest groups in the politics of a nation more so after democratic elections.

Firstly, interest groups are significant as they are organized to influence the government’s decisions for the right of the people. The organized groups, carefully following particular agendas, form the majority of the government’s policy- making team. For instance, in the history of American politics, corporations managed to bring into law the enactment of pension legislation that was a great relief to the Americans. They succeeded in cutting the amount that they should contribute to their employees’ pension funds. (Lowi, Ginsberg and Shepsle 395)

Interest groups remind the citizens of a nation of the existence of freedom. The organized groups often show their freedom of expression thereby enabling those who are ignorant of the law to gain the knowledge. The interest groups prove to the government the difference between power and freedom. The existence of the groups is for that reason, therefore, to enhance freedom of expression.

Interest groups are useful in enhancing democracy in a nation. Due to their enormous number in a country, they pay dues and attend to occasional meetings and represent the interest of large numbers of people. By encouraging political participation, the organized groups have always and can continue to enhance democracy.

The organized groups educate their members about the issues affecting their daily lives. They lobby their members of the executive and the Congress and engage in legal action in protection of their members. Interest groups usually represent their members in a political arena and stand for their rights. Before elections, they inform their members of the importance of voting and mobilize them for elections. Through their grassroots efforts, they encourage political participation and enhance democracy. The planned groups also monitor government programs in order to be sure that the government programs do not adversely affect their members. (Lowi, Ginsberg and Shepsle 397)

The organizational component of the interest groups is critical in enhancing investment among the members. Individuals are encouraged by their leaders to invest their time, money and effort in the interest groups in most interest groups and membership associations are formed where the members serve on committees and engage in projects. The membership organizations developed assist members in developing an investment -oriented mind. The members can take part in serious personal business using the ideas obtained from the interest group; hence changing their lifestyle.

Apart from promoting and sharing political goals, interest groups may provide their members with informational and material benefits. Informational benefits may be in the form of newsletters, conferences, training and periodicals so that they use them for tantalizing others to join. Members may also be offered material benefits like money and solidarity benefits like those emphasizing networking. An example is the case where the American Association of Retired Persons offers its members information as well as insurance benefits and commercial discounts. (Lowi, Ginsberg and Shepsle 401)

In conclusion, interest groups use various strategies to promote their goals including lobbying, going public and having an influence on the electoral politics. The organized groups are oriented towards the segments of a society with better economic resources and education as well as those directly affected by government actions.