Final answer:
Most conflict of interest schemes fall into either conflicts over substance or conflicts over details, with the latter arising when there's an agreement on goals but not on implementation methods. Interest groups play a key role in these conflicts, often forming coalitions or competing for influence over policy decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Most conflict of interest schemes can be categorized into either conflicts over substance or conflicts over details. On one hand, conflicts over substance involve fundamental disagreements about what should be done, whereas conflicts over details occur when there is a general agreement on the objective, but parties disagree on the specifics of implementation.
For example, in the realm of environmental policy, stakeholders might agree on the need to address climate change, but conflict arises over the methods, such as whether to ban gas-powered cars or incentivize electric vehicle purchases. In legislations or courts, resolving such details entails navigating the complexities of coordination, transaction costs, and conformity costs.
Additionally, interest groups often fall into categories such as economic interests, single-issue groups, ideological groups, government groups, and public-interest groups.
Conflicts of interest can arise when these groups form coalitions or compete for access to policymakers, sometimes even partnering with groups holding opposing interests if it serves their goals. Discussions about tax surpluses, educational vouchers, or other social issues often reflect the underlying conflicts between individual and collective interests.