Brings a bill directly to a vote without formal committee approval. National parties have become too closely identified with controversial issues. Court decisions have restricted the political parties' abilities to recruit new members. It is less expensive to join an interest group than to join a political party. Interest groups have been more successful in avoiding negative press coverage than have political parties.
Interest groups are better able to articulate specific policy positions than are political parties.
They alter the public's views on issues. They affect which issues the public thinks are important. They determine how citizens will vote. They are most able to influence people with the highest level of education. They are most able to influence the urban sectors of society.