Final answer:
An interest group is an organization that shares the same beliefs and seeks to influence government policy. This includes membership organizations with voluntary, dues-paying members and association groups organized around common industry concerns.
Step-by-step explanation:
A membership organization, often referred to as an interest group or advocacy group, is an organization that shares the same beliefs and tries to influence and/or change the government. These organizations, which individuals join voluntarily and to which they usually pay dues, organize around a particular cause or issue. For example, the National Rifle Association (NRA) focuses on promoting gun rights, while the Brady: United Against Gun Violence advocates for greater regulation of access to firearms.
Interest groups may also operate as association groups, which are groups of companies or institutions that organize around common concerns within a given industry or trade. Moreover, workplace groups, such as professional organizations or unions, can influence opinions and lobby on behalf of their members to enhance work environments, increase pay, or promote shared governance.