Overview Chapter

This chapter examines the degree to which various interests in American society are represented by organized groups, the process by which interest groups exert influence and the costs and benefits of group politics regarding the public good. Main points made in the chapter are the following:

• Although nearly all interests in American society are organized to some degree, those associated with economic activity, particularly business enterprises, are by far the most thoroughly organized.
• Lobbying and electioneering are the traditional means by which groups communicate with and influence political leaders.
• When public policy is decided solely by group demands, the group process does not serve the collective interest, regardless of the number of separate interests that benefit from the process.