interest group

political science

Also known as: advocacy group, pressure group, special interest group(Show More)

Written by

Clive S. Thomas

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

June 1, 2026 •History

interest group, any association of individuals or organizations, usually formally organized, that, on the basis of one or more shared concerns, attempts to influence public policy in its favour. All interest groups share a desire to affect government policy to benefit themselves or their causes. Their goal could be a policy that exclusively benefits group members or one segment of society (e.g., government subsidies for farmers) or a policy that advances a broader public purpose...