The number of interest groups has grown rapidly since the

• A. 1940s
• B. 1950s
• C. 1960s
• D. 1980s

Answer: (C)

The growth in the number of interest groups reflects a surge in political participation and new opportunities to influence policy. In the 1960s, a wave of social movements—civil rights, antiwar, women's rights, environmental, and consumer advocacy—mobilized many citizens to organize around specific issues. At the same time, the federal government expanded its policy scope with programs and reforms, creating more policy areas for groups to engage with. This combination of heightened activism and broader policy arenas led to a rapid rise in organized groups during the 1960s. While later decades continued to see group activity, the big surge is best tied to the 1960s, making that decade the point from which the growth accelerates.