SPECIAL INTERESTS Meaning and
Definition
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Special interests, in the broadest sense, refer to subjects, causes, or activities that a person or group of individuals hold a strong personal or political attachment to. These interests tend to go beyond general concerns and often have a narrower focus, where individuals or organizations deeply invest their time, energy, and resources to pursue specific goals or advocate for particular issues that align with their beliefs or benefit them directly.
In a political context, special interests typically denote organized groups, associations, or industries that strive to shape public policy and legislation to advance their own specific agenda or protect their interests. They often engage in lobbying, campaign donations, or grassroots activism to influence and gain the support of lawmakers, political parties, or government bodies. These interests may represent a wide range of sectors, such as business, labor unions, environmental advocacy groups, education, healthcare, or any other area that seeks to shape public policy outcomes according to their desired outcomes.
While special interests can be seen as a legitimate way for groups to express their viewpoints and work towards their objectives, critics argue that they can disproportionately influence the political system, sometimes tipping the balance of power away from broader public interests or creating an uneven playing field. This highlights the potential conflicts of interest that may arise when special interest groups prioritize their own agenda over the overall welfare and needs of society.
Common Misspellings for SPECIAL INTERESTS
- apecial interests
- zpecial interests
- xpecial interests
- dpecial interests
- epecial interests
- wpecial interests
- soecial interests
- slecial interests
- s-ecial interests
- s0ecial interests
- spwcial interests
- spscial interests
- spdcial interests
- sprcial interests
- sp4cial interests
- sp3cial interests
- spexial interests
- spevial interests
- spefial interests
- spedial interests
Etymology of SPECIAL INTERESTS
The term "special interests" is a compound noun derived from the individual words "special" and "interests".
The word "special" dates back to the 14th century and comes from the Latin word "specialis", meaning "particular" or "specific". It evolved into Middle English and retained the same meaning, referring to something distinct or unique.
The word "interest", on the other hand, has a deeper historical origin. Its roots can be traced back to the Latin word "interest", a combination of "inter", meaning "between", and "esse", meaning "to be". Initially, it was used in a financial context, entailing a fee paid for the use of borrowed money. Over time, "interest" also came to encompass the idea of concern, attention, or involvement in a particular matter.
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