American Democracy Now, 2nd Edition (Harrison)

Chapter 7: Interest Groups

Learning Objectives

Having studied this chapter, students should be able to do each of the following:

1. Compare pluralist and elite theory.
2. Identify the key functions of interest groups.
3. Define the patterns of membership in interest groups.
4. Define the motivations for joining interest groups.
5. Identify factors that help an interest group succeed.
6. Identify collective goods and explain rational choice theory.
7. Identify direct and indirect interest-group strategies.