Interest Group Membership and Organization: Multiple Theories

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Abstract
In this chapter, the author describes the various responses generated over the last forty years: Truman's view of groups as ordering social relations; Olson's "by-product" theory as a fundamental challenge to Truman; Salisbury's (1969) version of "exchange theory," which views interest group entrepreneurs as critical but follows Olson in viewing material self-interest as the key force motivating their behavior; A broader version of exchange theory espoused by most contemporary scholars, which relies upon a variety of incentives for joining and organizing interest groups but views political beliefs and information costs as being more important than did Olson or Salisbury; A final view that assumes commitment to the collective political goals of the group is critical to understanding both decisions to join and group internal dynamics. The league is primarily a political and educational organization, relying heavily upon litigation and lobbying by its staff and board to achieve its aims of protecting the scenic and environmental qualities of the Tahoe Basin.

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