The Texas Politics Project

This classification of interest group strength across the states is a composite of the judgments long-time political observers in each state. Interest groups have an overwhelming influence in Dominant states. In Dominant/Complementary states interest group influence is strong but limited by the influence of other political actors such as party organizations, governmental institutions, or the electorate. In Complementary states interest group influence strikes a balance with other political actors. In Complementary/Subordinate states interest group influence is secondary to the influence of other political actors. To be placed in the Subordinate category, interest group influence in a state would have to be weak or inconsequential – a situation not apparent in any of the states.