Special Interests Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Special Interests - Essay Example They work to elect politicians who can understand their cause and have sympathy for them. Also the role is to involve people who can conduct secret and at times, open propaganda campaigns. There are a number of interest groups prevalent within any society. These comprise of the economic associations which can include trade unions, chambers of commerce and industries and some religious bodies. Then there are the professional associations which have within their fore architects, doctors, lawyers and certain other professionals (Tilt, 1994). The third type of interest group is made up of public interest groups where the inclusion is of friends of environment with a single aim towards benefiting people beyond their mere memberships. The fourth is a special interest group which is essentially a subgroup that is formed within the framework of a bigger group and that emphasizes upon a narrow interest scope. Interest groups try their best to defend a status quo and to maintain it over a peri od of time. It is for this reason that interest groups are hailed differently from the pressure groups. These interest groups have a properly defined intention behind their formation and this is the reason why they are openly advocated for by their proponents and supporters. These individuals feel that these interest groups represent what they would like to suggest to all and sundry, as well as depict the truest picture for their own sake as far as the societal manifestations are concerned. Interest groups are always seen with an eye of skepticism because they have their own intentions to look after. Moreover, the manner under which they exist raise quite a few opinions on the part of the people. Some of the examples related with these interest groups are the National Rifle Association (NRA), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and many more. These interest groups rely on the people within the society to make up their vital opinion and hence come forward. As a case in point, NRA has an interest within the opposition of anything that is anti-arm and is thus a complete defender of the Second Amendment’s rights (Kleiner, 2002). On the other hand, PETA empathizes with the animals and solicits the response of the people within a community to come up with ethical solutions so that moral grounds could be founded for the animals in order for their survival domains (Pizam, 2008). Hence the role of these interest groups is of immense significance within this day and age as they mold public opinion and look to form a basis for critical issues that plague a society in one way or the other. It would be true on the part of the society to liaise with the interest groups so that the collective endeavors can have a long-lasting impact on the realms of the society and its inmates can heave a sigh of relief from the pressing issues, cropping up every now and then. There are a number of examples with regards to these interest groups but what remains importan t is their effort to set things right within the terrains of a society. If this happens, then interest groups will serve their purpose well. However, if this is not done in an adequate manner, then there are serious concerns with their formation in the first place. 2. Discuss the relationship between interest groups and political parties. The relationship between interest groups and political parties is one of significance.