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Distinction Between Interest Groups And Social Movements

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Political parties are distinct groups of people who have joined together with the main purpose of holding power and influence in government through winning in elections. This is achieved by helping a political candidate win an election by conducting various campaigns such as advertising and fundraisers. These political groups usually agree on some proposed agendas and programs that push the interests of the many or of their supporters.
Interest groups are advocacy groups, campaign groups, lobby groups, or special interest groups that make use of various methods to affect public opinion and policy making of a state. They are often considered important in the development of social and political systems. While the size, agenda, and influence of these groups widely vary, some have far-reaching and long-term social objectives. Others tackle a specific issue and are established to specifically address an immediate cause.
Interest groups act on common political, moral, religious, health, and even commercial points of view. These groups make use of various methods to achieve their goals such as media …show more content…

Notable among worldwide social movements have been those on behalf of labor, civil rights, the environment, and women. Although the distinction between interest groups and social movements is a fine one, interest groups are usually more narrowly focused and depend on organized supporters of otherwise loosely mobilized citizens within a larger social movement. For example, the United Auto Workers is an interest group within the United States and Canada that, beginning in the 1930s, assumed much of the leadership of the North American labor movement. Similarly, at the peak of the U.S. civil rights movement of the 1960s, numerous African-American interest groups articulated differing goals and political

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