1. Group Entrepreneurs

2. How does an interest group form?

3. Truman’s disturbance theory Truman’s disturbance theory –Proliferation hypothesis (complexity) –Homeostatic hypothesis (shocks) Descriptive, not explanatory Descriptive, not explanatory

4. How does an interest group form? Must overcome coordination and collective action problems Must overcome coordination and collective action problems Entrepreneurs provide necessary start- up energy Entrepreneurs provide necessary start- up energy

5. What do entrepreneurs do? Salisbury’s exchange theory: entrepreneurs exchange goods for group membership Salisbury’s exchange theory: entrepreneurs exchange goods for group membership Invest capital Invest capital Create/design private benefits Create/design private benefits Offer those benefits to the market Offer those benefits to the market Will do so when a market exists Will do so when a market exists

6. What do entrepreneurs do? Identify an audience Identify an audience –Get membership lists, advertise Identify a source of money Identify a source of money –Government grants, direct mail Know how government programs affect potential members; create electoral connection Know how government programs affect potential members; create electoral connection Establish benefits that allow you to distinguish your group from others Establish benefits that allow you to distinguish your group from others

7. Be an entrepreneur! Identify a need either on campus or in the larger community Identify a need either on campus or in the larger community Figure out how you will solve the coordination and collective action problems you face to form your group Figure out how you will solve the coordination and collective action problems you face to form your group Think about the resources you will have to invest personally as the entrepreneur! Think about the resources you will have to invest personally as the entrepreneur!