Learning Objectives

By the time you finish reading this chapter, you will be able to

7.1 Define and compare political parties and interest groups

7.2 Describe the role parties play in a democracy

7.3 Explain how parties are organized and describe the process of internal decision-making

7.4 Describe how political parties operate today

7.5 Describe the basics of interest groups (why they form, what kinds there are, and how they function)

7.6 Explain the role interest groups play in our political system

7.7 Argue whether or not Madison was right to be concerned about the role of factions in a democracy