POL_S 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 23: Collective Action
Document Summary
Interest groups organizations of people who share common political beliefs and aim to influence policy by electioneering and lobbying. Lobbying efforts to influence public policy through contact with public officials on behalf of an interest group. Political parties focus on running candidates for office and coordinating their elected officials. Political parties hold legal advantages such as a guaranteed spot on the ballot. Elected members of political parties have direct influence on government activity. The logic of collective action: membership and incentives. Free riders the practice of relying on others to contribute to a collective effort which failing to participate on one"s own behalf and still benefiting from the group"s success. Because governmental changes to policies affect everyone, whether they worked for the change or not, it is hard to motivate people to work for the change. Solidary benefits satisfaction derived from the experience of working with like-minded people.
