The Interest Group Society analyzes the increasing importance of interest groups and the consequences of their growing numbers in American politics today.  Within a framework of traditional democratic theory, the text examines the origins, maintenance, and marketing of interest groups, as well as their relationship to the party system.  Comprehensive coverage includes not only the traditional farm, labor, and trade associations, but also citizen groups, public interest organizations, corporations, and public interest firms.  Emphasis is placed on the lobbying of all three branches of government, as well as on grassroots support and the lobbying of public opinion.