The Evil of Special Interest

Both Bimber and many other political theorists have warned against the dangers of special interest groups. They, by definition, represent their own self interest instead of what is normatively right or wrong. With the implications of the internet, Bimber predicts a breakdown of traditional special interest groups and an increase in single issue oriented and much more fluid and fast changing groups. This is what he means when he says that groups lose "some of its dependence on stable public and private institutions." Interest groups will no longer be necessarily more successful because of a stable one-issue motivated list of contributors and professional lobbyists. The internet will level the playing field for communities that do not have the same professional, structured and singular interests.

NOTES TO PONDER: Is Bimber right about the future of special interests? With a breakdown in traditional special interest groups, what will happen to the campaign financing role that special interests once played?