The largest category of interest groups is economic in terms of purpose and goals. Economic interest groups include organizations that represent big businesses, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), as well as big labor--the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organization (AFL-CIO) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, for example.

Trade associations that represent entire industries form another group in this category. One example of this kind of association is the American Public Power Association (APPA); they represent city-owned electric companies, rural electric cooperatives, and state power authorities. Similarly, large groups of professionals form their own interest groups--the American Medical Association (AMA) made up of medical professionals is one such organization.

What do you think is the overarching goal for economic interest groups?

Economic interest groups are interested in protecting the businesses and industries they represent and influencing legislation that could impact them, such as regulations and taxation.

Public interest groups do not usually expect to profit directly from the policy changes they seek; instead, people in these groups attract donations from individuals and foundations who support their activities. As the name implies, public interest groups are generally nonpartisan. A large number of consumer advocacy groups and environmental organizations, such as the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), fall into this category. Perhaps best known is the League of Women Voters, which promotes simplified voting procedures and an informed electorate, and Common Cause, which backs more effective government.

What might be the goal of public interest groups?

They generally try to effect changes in government for the greater good of society and its citizens and to raise awareness about issues, but not necessarily for any financial gains.

Although the United States has a tradition of keeping church and state separate, this does not mean there are no religious interest groups. In fact, almost all religious groups are involved in politics and lobbying to some degree. The Christian Coalition is made up of conservative Protestants, and they support prayer in schools, traditional definitions of marriage, and the banning of abortion. The Anti-Defamation League is another interest group with religious roots that was created to address anti-Semitic, or anti-Jewish, rhetoric and actions.

How would religious interest groups hope to influence the government?

Generally, religious groups try to persuade government officials to keep or adopt policies that uphold their moral worldviews.

Civil rights interest groups include the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF), the National Organization for Women (NOW), and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. These groups have faced legal discrimination in the past, and are still advocating for equal rights today. In addition to civil rights, they are also involved in issues regarding social welfare, immigration policy, affirmative action, gender issues, and political action.

How do civil rights interest groups strive to influence government?

Civil rights groups have one common goal--equality. They are hoping to influence government through policy to end discrimination and promote equal rights for groups that are disenfranchised or discriminated against.

Single-issue interest groups advocate for or against one issue. Although other interest groups may have a position for or against gun control, it is the only issue in the political arena for the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the National Coalition to Ban Handguns (NCBH). The same is true of abortion, which pits the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) against the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL). These examples are not meant to suggest that single-issue interest groups always generate their opposite. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), which campaigns for stiffer sentences for driving while intoxicated and mandatory penalties for the first offense, clearly does not have an opposite. Although most interest groups focus on domestic issues, some are concerned with foreign policy. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), for example, focuses on the Middle East and the relationship between the United States and Israel.

How would single-issue groups hope to influence in government?

Similar to public interest groups, they hope to raise awareness and support for their cause. Instead of focusing on multiple issues, the single-issue groups are focused on one primary area. This allows them to have a more clear objective, which generally makes their goal easier to achieve.