Measuring Interests: Groups in a Policy Context

Abstract

Subsequent to David Truman's contention that interest groups constituted the basis for politics, the subject received much attention from political scientists.' The resulting proliferation of literature in the 1950's and 1960's focused on various aspects of group behavior and activity, but analysts were unable to classify groups in a systematic way. This inability to develop an adequate categorization has been a stumbling block to further interest group research. In this article a new typology of interest groups is set forth. The typology is a departure from previous categorizations because it classifies a group's utility (interests) within a particular policy area. When groups are observed in a policy context, it is argued, their interests are more easily understood and measured. Interest groups in a policy context are groups back in the arena in which they engage in politics.