Interest Groups


Olson argues four solutions:1) you can either keep the size of the group small enough so that people get some benefit from being in the group itself, a feeling of friendship or solidarity, that you do not get in a large organization.

- Smaller groups are more effective than larger groups because they can organize more easy
- A member of a small group is more likely to experience the group success and therefore is more      likely to work harder than a member of a large group
- However groups do experience the free rider program where individuals can benefit from the work of the group without actually joining the group.

According to Olson's law of large groups, this problem is greater with large groups. Intensity is a another factor.  Single-issue groups form around a specific policy and tend to pursue it uncompromisingly. They often deal with moral issues that people feel strongly about and members of these groups often vote according to a candidate's stand on the group's issue. Politicians are most likely to serve the needs of people or groups with money, allowing them to mobilize conduct research and maintain an administration.