POLI 100E, Interest Group Politics: Topic 1, Why are Interest Groups Important?

Drawing the Line Between an Interest Group and a Political Party:
Are Political Parties Simply Coalitions (Confederations) of
Interest Groups?

NO

1. There are Common Interests.
   "The distinction between public and special interests is an
   indispensable tool for the study of politics. To abolish the
   distinction is to make a shambles of political science by
   treating things that are different as if they were alike."
   (E.E.S., p.27)
   
   "The reality of the common interest is suggested by
   demonstrated capacity of the community to survive.
   There must be something that holds people together."
   (E.E.S., p. 23)
   
   "Perfect agreement within the community is not always
   possible, but an interest may be said to have become
   public when it is shared so widely as to be sustantially
   universal." (E.E.S., p. 24)
   
   
2. The Law of Imperfect Political Mobilization of Social Groups.
   Individuals are very likely to have a number of interests --
   some of which may conflict.
   (Cross-Cutting Cleavages Mitigate Social Conflict.)