Final answer:
Interest groups are perceived as biased towards the non-elite because wealthy businesses and individuals have more resources to influence politics, including hiring lobbyists and making campaign contributions, leading to an unequal representation in the political system.
Step-by-step explanation:
Some individuals believe that interest groups are biased towards the non-elite because these groups, particularly wealthy businesses, have more resources to influence political decisions. Political scientist E. E. Schattschneider emphasized the problem within pluralist theory, noting that the 'heavenly chorus sings with a strong upperclass accent.' This highlights that while pluralists like David Truman tout the natural competition among diverse interests, critics argue that this competition is skewed towards those with greater financial resources, leading to unequal representation in the political system.
Criticism extends to the narrow focus of many interest groups on single issues, which can eclipse broader public concerns. Moreover, socioeconomic status is a strong predictor of political engagement, suggesting a bias in participation and representation in interest groups. As observed, large corporations with significant resources can hire lobbyists and make financial contributions to political campaigns, methods not usually accessible to disadvantaged groups. These dynamics lead to a disproportionate influence of the wealthy in political advocacy, reinforcing the perception of bias towards the non-elite in the functioning of interest groups.