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Organized interest groups - sometimes referred to as special interests or factions - have always played an important role in American politics. They organize constituencies, helping to protect their rights, defending their interests and giving them a voice in politics. Without organized interests many workers, business leaders and issues advocates would feel that they had no influence on the political process. Interest groups help connect Americans to their government. The connections established by these interest groups are myriad and complex, reflecting the interplay of group goals, resources and structures. These complexities require interest groups to alter their strategies and tactics in response to changing institutional arrangements and political realities.