POLS 100 Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Quid Pro Quo, Free Rider Problem, Aarp
Document Summary
First basic requirement of an interest group is a shared interest. They seek new positive benefits to promote the group"s interest. They defend current benefits to protect the group"s interest. Interest group membership: why people join, material benefits, tangible rewards that people gain through membership, ex: aarp gives discounts on life insurance. Solidary benefits: satisfactions gained through friendship, ex: farmers joining a farm organization to socialize with others. Purposive benefits: benefits derived from feeling good about contributing to a worthy, the origins and growth of interest groups cause, theoretical perspectives on the formation of interest groups. Pluralist theory: interest groups are a natural extension of a democratic system that guarantees freedom of expression and association. By-product theory and exchange theory: group leaders overcome the free rider problem either by offering selective benefits or by creating coercive incentives. In recent decades, the role of interest groups has expanded considerably. Business interests are the more dominant force in both numbers and spending.
