Interest groups can be categorized in a variety of ways. They can be seen in terms of their organizational degree ( peak associations vs. membership associations), their structure (traditional associations vs. spontaneous and unconventional initiatives and movements), their legal forms, or their motivational character.

         One common way is to build categories according to the kind of interest that groups pursue. Generally, private and public interest groups can be distinguished (Truman, 63). While the former generally seek to achieve goals for their immediate members only, the latter seek benefits serving the society as a whole: for example, better consumer protection, improved environmental protection, lower taxes, etc.

 

  Private interest groups are usually further differentiated according to the membership they represent. This leads to the following main categories:

1. Public Interest Groups

2. Groups in the Economic Sector

3. Professional Groups

4. One Issue Groups

5. Ideological Groups

 

What are interest groups?|It's role|Good or Bad?|Types of groups|Criticisms