Interest groups: have interest groups become too powerful in a republican system of government?

Interest groups

•Have interest groups become too powerful in a republican system of government?

•Do true democracies need interest groups to represent people or issues?

•Are they better representatives than the political party system America currently has?

•Could one not argue that in a democracy, citizens should have a “voice,” but not the “special interest” apparatus” that has emerged? What qualifies an interest as a “special interest” anyway?

•Is there an issue or cause that would inspire you become involved with a group?