Authors: Nohlen
Summary: In nearly 500 words the entry defines the term in comparison to political parties and social and cultural clubs, presents the pluralistic approach in favor of interest group influence in democracies, and critiques this view with three arguments. In the process of industrialization of modern societies, interest groups developed with two purposes: to counter contrary interests and to maximize the influence of the societal sub-group on the decision-making process of a government, parliament, party, or the public opinion. They are different from parties since the latter aim to gain governmental control and social clubs with no intentions to influence the decision-making process. Pluralist theories are in favor of interest groups because they allow for broader individual participation apart from elections and leads to the decentralization and control of political power. The entry refers to three counter-arguments to the pluralist approach: very broad interests (i.e. health care) and interests of marginalized powerless groups (i.e. children) have a lesser chance to be successful, interest groups of small but active and motivated minority groups generally possesses an advantage over interest groups of large societal segments, and interest groups lack democratic legitimacy. It ends on the notion that increased interest in the concept of corporatism has rejuvenated the interest group literature and debate.