Why do some associations provide members with an effective voice whereas others appear
to have internal democracy in name only? We theoretically combine population ecology with …

Why do some interest group systems provide group members with more elaborate voice
opportunities than other systems? We argue that evaluating membership voice is important …

The number of interest organizations (density) varies across policy domains, political issues
and economic sectors. This shapes the nature and outcomes of interest representation. In …

Political activity is conventionally considered a constitutive feature of interest groups,
underpinning an impressive literature on the strategies groups employ to exercise political …

The numerous presence of interest groups may be a recipe for policy deadlock or, more
optimistically, indicate the vibrancy of a political community. Population-ecology theory …

Interest groups differ in the strategies they use to influence public policy. Some mainly try to
gain access (ie, have direct contact with decision makers), whereas others tend to 'go …

This paper seeks to explain under which conditions policymakers actively reach out to
interest groups. Policymakers are often expected to contact affluent groups more often than …

Faulty assumptions about the nature of interest group activity have misled scholars'
assessments of interest group influence in the European Union (EU). The influence literature …

Olson's logic of collective action predicts that business interest associations face fewer
collective action problems than citizen action groups. This article challenges this assumption …

Interest groups constitute critical mediating institutions linking citizens and political elites,
thereby enhancing participation and representation at all levels of government. But to what …