A TYPOLOGY OF INTEREST GROUPS USA 

The landscape of interest groups in America is highly varied and competitive. While political scientists categorize these groups in various ways, there are five main types active in the country today.

Economic interest groups include a wide range of organizations such as chambers of commerce, major companies like General Motors, Microsoft, and Boeing, labor unions like the AFL-CIO, agricultural associations such as the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Farmers’ Union, as well as professional groups like the American Medical Association and the National Education Association.

Public interest groups focus on advocating for specific causes. For instance, Common Cause champions consumer rights, particularly in car safety, while Friends of the Earth engages in environmental issues. The Children's Defense Fund works to improve the welfare of children.

Sectional groups represent the interests of specific segments of society. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the oldest civil rights organization for African Americans, and the National Organization for Women, founded in 1966, address issues affecting American women, including abortion rights and sexual harassment. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) advocates for the interests of Americans over 55, particularly in relation to social security reforms.

Attitude groups promote specific political views, often tied to particular causes or ideologies. For example, the Christian Coalition pushes a traditionalist agenda, opposing same-sex unions while supporting tax incentives for marriage. The American Civil Liberties Union defends free speech and individual freedoms, opposing censorship. The National Rifle Association is against gun control, while Americans for Gun Safety advocates for stricter firearm regulations.

Intergovernmental groups consist of public officials in specific roles who collaborate to share ideas and influence government bodies. Notable examples include the National Governors’ Conference, representing all 50 state governors, and the US Conference of Mayors.

Institutional and corporate interests 

Individuals or organizations that advocate for other entities. For instance, before its government bailout in 2008, General Motors had lobbyists in Washington, and it is now common for mid-sized companies to employ full-time representatives alongside part-time lawyers or public relations experts in the capital. Trade or governmental associations, like the National Independent Retail Jewelers and the National Association of Counties, also fall under this category.

These representatives focus on essential issues that matter significantly to their clients. Those specializing in this area can earn substantial fees, with top public relations professionals and Washington attorneys charging $500 an hour or greater. Their high earnings create high expectations for their performance.

The Manufactured Housing Institute, for example, advocates for manufacturers of prefabricated homes, pursuing a clear agenda to promote policies that support homebuilding, particularly modular construction. This group actively lobbies in Washington, DC, spending $763,200 on lobbying efforts in 2016, as the Center for Responsive Politics reported. While their success varies, their objectives are consistently clear.

In contrast, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce represents a vast array of businesses across numerous communities. It has consistently been the top spender on lobbying among interest groups for many years. Between 1998 and 2016, the Chamber invested about $1.3 billion in lobbying, far surpassing expenditures by other organizations, including major corporations like Exxon Mobil. In 2016 alone, the Chamber allocated $104 million to lobbying, which equaled the combined total of the next three largest spenders: the National Association of Realtors, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and the American Hospital Association. Due to its extensive and varied membership, the Chamber often addresses only a small number of issues where there is a consensus among businesses. For example, the Chamber advocates for lower taxes, a common interest for all businesses, but remains silent on tariffs, as different members have opposing views on this matter.