Executive Legislative Judicial Executive

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS /

NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS 

(NGOs)

Special interest groups are private-

sector organizations whose members 

share common interests or positions on 

public policy, and who pool their resourc-

es with the intent of gaining a more prom-

inent voice in policy debates. There are 

literally thousands of such groups repre-

senting almost every conceivable interest. 

Some organizations have a long history 

of working towards a general goal, while 

others are formed temporarily to advocate 

for or against a specifi c policy proposal.

Prominent examples of special inter-

est groups are those who advocate for en-

vironmental protection, benefi ts for senior 

citizens, protection for minority groups, 

and free trade policies.