Question

Discuss the similarities and differences between political parties and interest groups. How do their goals overlap? Why are they considered two distinct concepts? Provide support and examples within your answer. (3 paragraphs)

Answer 1

There are broad similitudes between interest groups and political parties. Both interest groups and political parties seek to influence policy. All are attempting to defend and encourage the causes which they support. They diverge quite a bit beyond that.

An interest group is a group expressing a common interest. These may be formal, informal or both. For example, you may have a broad, informal interest group consisting of many formal groups, as well as individuals who are not associated. The environmental movement is a growing, diverse community of interests. It requires committed individuals as well as very distinct organisations. The main thing that unifies an interest group is engagement for a particular cause or interest. In reality, they may disagree on what type support should take for that cause. Interest groups may donate or support specific legislation to politicians, but they are usually not a formal part of the government.

Where the focus of an interest group is on particular interests, political parties often represent a range of interests. These parties are ideally unified but this is not always the case. Political parties share an agenda and a tradition.

Look to the Libertarian Party as an example. This is united by promoting individual rights and the free market, and opposed to government intervention. It could be sponsored by several different interest groups, interest groups which otherwise would have nothing to do with each other. For example, someone who supports drug legalization (and is part of that interest group) may find him or herself in favor of the Libertarian Party (a political party) beside an advocate for abortion rights (another interest group).