What distinguishes political parties from interest groups?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the differences between political parties and interest groups, focusing on their roles, functions, and characteristics in the political system.
Answer
Political parties run candidates for office; interest groups do not.
The primary distinction is that political parties seek to influence policy by running candidates for public office, whereas interest groups do not nominate candidates and typically focus on specific issues.
Answer for screen readers
The primary distinction is that political parties seek to influence policy by running candidates for public office, whereas interest groups do not nominate candidates and typically focus on specific issues.
More Information
Political parties generally have broader policy platforms and focus on winning elections, while interest groups typically concentrate on particular issues to influence public policy and public opinion.
Tips
One common mistake is assuming that interest groups participate directly in elections in the same manner as political parties, which they generally do not.
