special interest group
3
3.9
- noun
- /ˈspɛʃəl ˈɪntrəst ɡruːp/
:
grupo de interés
- Chicago's political infrastructure isn't about the Democratic Party or "the Machine" or special interest groups or labor unions.
- lobbyists and special interest groups
- various special interest groups
- money from special interest groups
Examples
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Corporations, special interest groups, lobbyists, police, and lawyers, for example, are just as susceptible to corruption as government.
Blog text (29) -
That is, under the Madisonian Constitution, it is typically far easier for a special interest group to obstruct good legislation than it is for it to facilitate bad legislation.
Academic text (2017) -
These include students, faculty and staff, community political bodies, and other special interest groups.
Academic text (1990) -
Such a body would be exposed to capture by special interest groups and would have an impossibly complex task to perform.
Academic text (1990) -
Seemingly, colleges and universities that have special interest groups that donate large sums of money are most vulnerable.
Academic text (1991) -
The easiest way to limit the influence of special interest groups and minorities is to have compulsory voting.
Blog text (8) -
Some of these individuals are elected as spokespersons for special interest groups and do not restrict their board-related activities to making policy.
Academic text (1991) -
The majority of those in Washington have been bought and paid for (basically neutered) by special interest groups, and they are not going to challenge or disobey their masters lest they get cut off from the financial trough.
Blog text (8) -
Dozens of special interest groups weighed in on the debate, in which value-laden rhetoric and hyperbole were pervasive and willingness to compromise was in short supply (Bangs and Fritts 1996).
Academic text (2010) -
The environmental special interest group is advocating for stricter regulations on carbon emissions.
Synonyms
99
3.9
A group of people who try to persuade public officials to support a cause
76
3.6
A group or organization that tries to influence government decisions to help its own members
57
3.1
A group of people with the same goal who try to influence public decisions
40
3.9
A group that tries to persuade people in power to change laws or rules for a cause
18
3.7
A group of people who try to influence government decisions about one issue
4
4.1
A group that tries to change government decisions to help a cause or its members
4
3.9
A group that tries to persuade government officials to support laws or policies
A group that tries to influence politicians and government decisions, often by lobbying
How Influential
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is compositionally built: "special" (particular) + "interest" (a shared concern) + "group" (a set of people) yields a group formed around a particular interest, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents can derive the meaning. The construction is a common, cross-linguistic pattern (interest group / group of interest), so the sense is predictable despite occasional political connotations.
Etymology
Special interest group comes from the clear picture of a small group of people who share one special interest and gather to push for a change in rules or laws. So, today it means an organization that tries to 'influence government decisions' or 'lobby' for its cause.