Through out United States government history, political interest groups have had a profound influence on some very important decisions. These political interest groups are highly organized factions that have a certain agenda that is important to them. They will often lobby at various levels of the government to have their agenda protected, have new laws and regulations instituted that will aid their agenda, or argue against possible laws, codes, regulations, ect that might harm their interests or agenda. There are many who believe having a government that is easily accessed by interest groups is a very good idea; however, there are many that feel a system in which political interest groups hold a great deal of influence is highly undemocratic.
A political system in which political interest groups hold a great deal of power is said to be a pluralist government. In this type of government, more specifically a pluralist democracy, interest groups have easy access to the government so that they can lobby for their cause. Political lobbying is when these interest groups appear before government representatives and attempt to protect their agenda by asking for new laws to be implemented or old laws to be changed. There are different views as to whether or not political interest groups are good:.
"Interest groups are important actors in most political systems. As political parties become more broadly based, their inherent aggregating function means that fewer .
interests are actually articulated or advocated by the parties. Along with professional lobbyists, interest groups provide another means to channel citizens' concerns to policy makers and administrators. However, there are also significant concerns about the privileged access of the richer and better organized. Related problems emerge from the direct campaign donations made to politicians. (Nelson learning center)".
Whether or not one believes interest groups have a positive or negative affect on American government, there is no doubt or question as to how big of an impact some of these interest groups have had in our nations history, presently have, and will continue to have in the future.
