Interest Groups and Political Parties: Towards More Complex and Flexible Relationships?

Abstract

Few groups still have privileged relations with one particular party. How do these two political organizations work together and establish relations in contemporary politics? This panel tries to bridge the gap between party and interest group research. How can we conceptualize and measure party-interest group interaction and relationships? Why do we find structured interaction between (particular) parties and groups in some political systems but not in others? Why do some groups establish enduring alliances with party elites and whereas others remain isolated? Why are parties sometimes responsive to lobbying whereas in other times not? This panel examines these kinds of questions on the relationships between interest groups and political parties in democracies across the world.