Interest Groups vs Political Parties: AP Gov Comparison

📚 What is an Interest Group?

An interest group is an organization of people who share a common goal and actively attempt to influence government policies. They don't nominate candidates, but they do work to get politicians to support their agenda.

🔍 Definition: An organized group that tries to influence public policy. 🏛️ Goal: To shape policy in favor of their members' interests. 📣 Strategy: Lobbying, advocacy, and campaign contributions.

🗳️ What is a Political Party?

A political party is a group of people with similar political aims and opinions that seeks to influence public policy by winning elections and holding public office. Their primary goal is to control the government.

🤝 Definition: An organized group that seeks to win elections and control government. 🎯 Goal: To win elections and implement their broad policy platform. 📢 Strategy: Nominating candidates, running campaigns, and organizing government.

📊 Interest Groups vs. Political Parties: A Comparison

Here's a table that breaks down the key differences:

🔑 Key Takeaways

💡 Influence vs. Control: Interest groups influence, while political parties control. 🎯 Single vs. Multiple Issues: Interest groups focus on specific issues, while political parties address a broad range of issues. 🏛️ Participation: Both play vital roles in democracy, but through different mechanisms.