The Organization of Interests
Incentives and the Internal Dynamics of Political Interest Groups
9780226533537
The Organization of Interests
Incentives and the Internal Dynamics of Political Interest Groups
"Criticisms of Mancur Olson’s theory of group membership and organizational behavior and discussions of the limits of his formulations are not new, but Terry Moe has set them forth in thoroughgoing fashion, has elaborated and extended them, and has made positive new contributions. The result is a book that is valuable and constructive, one that may well revive interest in the systematic study of political groups."—David B. Truman, American Political Science Review
"The Organization of Interests is a valuable addition to the literature. It reminds us that the interior life of groups has political significance and gives us a conceptual framework for exploring that life. It balances nicely between the pluralists—who tend to interpret interest group behaviour entirely in political terms—and Olson—who has no satisfactory explanation for behaviour that is not attributable to economic self-interest. In the concept of the entrepreneur Moe gives us a useful analytical device which deserves operationalization. The book is well worth study."—A. Paul Pross, Canadian Journal of Political Science
"The Organization of Interests is a valuable addition to the literature. It reminds us that the interior life of groups has political significance and gives us a conceptual framework for exploring that life. It balances nicely between the pluralists—who tend to interpret interest group behaviour entirely in political terms—and Olson—who has no satisfactory explanation for behaviour that is not attributable to economic self-interest. In the concept of the entrepreneur Moe gives us a useful analytical device which deserves operationalization. The book is well worth study."—A. Paul Pross, Canadian Journal of Political Science
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part One - The Logic of Interest Organization
1. Elements of the Analysis
2. The Decision to Join
3. Organizational Formation and Maintenance
4. Internal Politics
5. Departures from the Economic Ideal
Part Two - Evidence on the Bases for Membership
6. The Traditional Background
7. Studies of Economic Interest Groups
8. Some New Data
9. Conclusion
Appendix A. Selective Incentives and Dues
Appendix B. Representational Structures and Internal Politics
Appendix C. Economic Size and Political Membership
Notes
Index
Introduction
Part One - The Logic of Interest Organization
1. Elements of the Analysis
2. The Decision to Join
3. Organizational Formation and Maintenance
4. Internal Politics
5. Departures from the Economic Ideal
Part Two - Evidence on the Bases for Membership
6. The Traditional Background
7. Studies of Economic Interest Groups
8. Some New Data
9. Conclusion
Appendix A. Selective Incentives and Dues
Appendix B. Representational Structures and Internal Politics
Appendix C. Economic Size and Political Membership
Notes
Index