ABSTRACT
Pressure groups have an important role in the political system; they are conveyors of demands from the ordinary American citizens to the decision makers, intermediaries that can provide both ideas and reactions to government policies. In a democratic system, the importance of such bodies in the two-way process of political communication can hardly be overemphasized. The literature on pressure groups, particularly in America, has often been somewhat confused by the lack of an agreed terminology among the political scientists who have studied this form of political activity. The American political system provides numerous opportunities for pressure groups to influence the official decision makers, but the methods used by a particular group will depend upon the objectives it is seeking to achieve and its position with regard to size, finance and the strategies of its leaders. Fighting elections can be very expensive and many pressure groups, particularly wealthy interest groups, provide campaign contributions.
