Interest Groups Essay

300 Words2 Pages
While interest groups and political parties each play a significant role in the United States political system, they differ in their fundamental goals. (a) Identify the fundamental goal of interest groups in the political process. (b) Identify the fundamental goal of major political parties in the political process. (c) Describe two different ways in which interest groups support the fundamental goal of political parties in the political process. (d) For one of the means of support you described in (c), explain two different ways in which that form of support helps interest groups to achieve their fundamental goal in the political process. 1. a) The fundamental goal of interest groups is to influence the political decision making process to a way that benefits their cause. b) The fundamental goals of political parties in the political process is to nominate candidates for office, raise money for their campaigns, and encourage people to vote in order for their political candidate to win the election. c) The first way that interest groups support the fundamental goal of political parties is by raising awareness in the general public, and pressuring elected officials to support the agenda for their respective interest group. To help the desired political party win, an interest group can either give money to the candidate's campaign, or publicly create an alliance with their campaign. d) When interest groups become a part of the party's campaign, they increase the chances of that candidate being elected. If the interest group's preferred candidate is elected then it would become easier for the interest group to achieve their goals. In addition, being a part of that party's campaign would raise awareness for that particular interest group, and many people who recognize themselves as being part of that party will also join the interest group.
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