After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

• Describe the role parties play in making government policy.
• Outline the evolution of the party system in the United States.
• Identify four types of interest groups and the kinds of interests they represent.
• Describe how interest groups use lobbying and campaign activities to get the public policy they want.
• Identify specific resources that interest groups bring to bear when attempting to influence public policy.
• Summarize the ways in which citizens interact with their government through membership in parties and interest groups.