Public Interest Groups and the Road to Survival

Abstract

This article revisits questions raised by the late Jack Walker in his landmark study of group organization and maintenance and applies them to public interest groups. Data from 62 interviews with public interest group leaders support the conclusion that there are distinct strategies for starting and maintaining such groups. Patrons are crucial for initial mobilization, but the key to long-term public interest group survival is the ability to maintain a large membership base that can be tapped for dues and large contributions.