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Politics & Government vocabulary · Policy and Public Debate

Interest group

Meaning in politics & government, with examples

nounCommon term

In politics & government, interest group means: An organized group, such as a trade union, business association or charity, that tries to influence government policy in favour of a particular cause or part of society.

In Turkish: çıkar grubu, baskı grubu

How it is used

Used in political science to describe how policy is shaped. Interest groups lobby ministers, run campaigns and give evidence to committees. Pressure group is a close synonym, especially in British English, while special interests is often used critically.

Example sentences

  1. Several interest groups gave evidence to the committee on the new energy law.

  2. Business interest groups welcomed the reform, while unions criticized it.

Common collocations

  • interest group politics
  • powerful interest groups
  • business interest groups
  • pressure group
  • lobbyingOrganized efforts by companies, organizations or interest groups to influence the decisions of politicians and officials, for example by meeting them or providing information.
  • civil societyThe organizations and groups outside government and business through which citizens act together, such as charities, associations, unions and community groups.
  • public policyThe decisions, plans and actions of government on issues that affect the public, such as health, education, transport and the environment; also the academic study of these.
  • grassrootsThe ordinary members and supporters of a party or movement, as opposed to its leaders; also activity that starts with local people rather than with leaders.

More terms: Policy and Public Debate

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