Final answer:
An interest group is an organized entity focusing on influencing government policy, typically through lobbying. It is an independent, non-governmental group that advocates its views to lawmakers. Interest groups are essential in democratic societies as they represent a wide range of societal interests and provide a means of political participation outside electoral processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
An interest group, also known as an advocacy group or pressure group, is a collection of individuals who are organized to influence government and policy without actively seeking election. Among the options provided, the correct answer is 3) An independent, non-governmental group united by a policy area, which lobbies and advocates its point of view to lawmakers. Indeed, these groups hire lobbyists to engage with and attempt to persuade legislators to support legislation that aligns with the group's interests. Interest groups can be dedicated to a wide array of causes, such as economic interests, public policies, civil rights, or a single issue that unites its members.
Lobbyists work on behalf of these groups to maintain continuous communication with lawmakers, presenting convincing arguments and data to support the interest group's stance. For instance, an interest group focused on agriculture may employ a lobbyist to track and influence legislation related to biofuel production from corn. Interest groups play a significant role by bringing diverse views to the attention of the government and can represent both public and private interests.