The Role of Special Interest Groups in American Politics.

Like political parties, pressure groups can be considered another system that connects the citizen more directly to government. However, at the same instant there are marked differences in both composition and function that define interest groups as different entities from larger political parties. According to V.O. Key Jr. in a composition appropriately entitled Pressure Groups; pressure groups "Ordinarily... concern themselves with only a narrow range of policies;" and unlike the goals of political parties, …

…on the American Political stage since their conception and growth during the 1970s. With the continued volume of money moving from PACs to candidates without major regulation, it is safe to say that PACs will continue to seriously influence the path of the American legislative process. Just as Michael Malbin, a political analyst for the American Enterprise Institute states, "unless you repeal the First Amendment, people with private interests in legislation will continue be active."