The Effects of Interest Groups on Politics

The Effects of Interest Groups on Politics Theoretically, politicians are elected based upon the issues by which they stand, and these issues are either supported or undermined by the numerous interest groups that exist today. Interest groups target both major and minor issues, using all of their resources to advocate or defeat the groups’ concern. Interest groups are composed of a limited cross-section of the electorate who have a great stake in the issues their …

…by a tax exemption and unlimited lobbying privileges.23 In addition, Senator Simpson questions the non-partisan nature of the group, saying that “the organization imposes a policy agenda on an unwilling membership”.24 The AARP itself acknowledges that it is difficult to rally its members composed of such a great diversity of viewpoints.25 The AARP must find more innovative methods of reaching the electorate and to place themselves in to a position where they are above reproach.