A definition of interest groups and social movements. A brief overview

Essay from the year 2019 in the subject Politics - Basics and General, grade: 1,0, The University of Sydney, course: Introduction to Politics, language: English, abstract: This essay provides a delimitation of interest groups and social movements. Based on this, it derives how conceptual differences between both political bodies expand or restrict their options for social change. The complexity of the addressed issue results from overlapping cases of social movements and interest groups. Applied measures and organisational structures often depend on specific circumstances as typical for socio-political bodies. Hence, the essay begins with a technical definition of social movements. This conceptualisation makes it possible to develop both terms subsequently and to identify discerning criteria. It culminates with the example of the 1960s women's rights movement by showing how the social movement (SM) transformed into an interest group (IG), putting both bodies in a processual relationship. A regional focus is placed on the US. Therefore, findings are valid for liberal-democratic systems and cannot be generalised without closer examination.