How do parties and interest groups primarily differ in their political influence?

The distinction between political parties and interest groups is fundamentally rooted in their primary functions and objectives within the political landscape. Political parties are organized to nominate candidates for public office and to seek to gain control of government through elections. This involves the development of a platform that articulates their positions on various issues in order to attract voters.

On the other hand, interest groups are typically focused on influencing policy rather than directly running candidates for office. They advocate for specific issues or interests, such as environmental protection, business interests, labor rights, or healthcare reform. Their main strategy involves lobbying public officials, mobilizing public opinion, and engaging in advocacy efforts, rather than seeking to gain political power themselves through running candidates.

This foundational difference explains why nominating candidates is a unique function of political parties, while interest groups work to influence those candidates and policymakers from the outside. While some interest groups may support certain candidates through endorsements or campaign contributions, they do not nominate candidates themselves nor do they typically field candidates for elections. Understanding this distinction is crucial for grasping how different entities operate within the political system and their respective impacts on governance and policy.