Formal Interest Group Analysis

Interest groups have been a fundamental feature of political environments for numerous centuries. They are voluntary associations created to influence the policy and conduct of government (Watts, 2007). Interest groups aim to shape public opinion by electing and lobbying government members that favour their particular views and support their causes. Interest groups do so, by applying methods of advocacy and campaigning. Advocacy and campaigns are likely to be issue-based with the intention of positively or negatively influencing election cycles and public policy design and implementation (Thuynsma, 2012). Interest groups form to achieve results. They demand pressure on decision makers to run their country the way they believe it should be run,

These groups tend to be more economically oriented with business groups being at the forefront of this type. (Eccleston, Williams, Hollander, & Van Acker, 2013). The Business Council of Australia aims to allow business leaders to contribute directly to public policy debates (Business Council of Australia, 2017). Initiating key business and economic reform debates, this interest group is sectional in nature. The Business Council of Australia protects the interest of Australian businesses and their members, having a large economical focus (Business Council of Australia,

These groups tend to have a single-issue focus and are largely driven by passion and idealism, cutting across political party lines (Eccleston, Williams, Hollander, & Van Acker, 2013). The RSPCA is an independent, non-government community organisation working to provide animal care and protection services (RSPCA, 2017). The RSPCA aims to prevent animal cruelty through active promotion, enforcing laws and prompting new legislation when necessary. The RSPA is composed of passionate like-minded volunteers and members, focused on improved animal care (RSPCA, 2017) and therefore, is a promotional interest group.

It is possible to employ characteristics from both sectional and promotional interest groups as can be seen with Greenpeace. Greenpeace continually protect for several environmental issues to draw attention and heighten specific environmental concerns (Grant, 2004). Simultaneously, Greenpeace engage in conversation with government, international organisations and business demonstrating characteristics of both insider and outsider interest groups (Grant,