Interest groups and political parties are similar in that they both seek to influence public policy. However, they differ in their structure and size. Interest groups are usually informal organizations composed of individuals who have a shared interest in a particular issue. They also tend to focus on a specific issue or set of issues, while political parties have a broader ideological view and seek to shape the entire government. Political parties are typically more organized and have a hierarchical structure of leadership, while interest groups are less structured. In addition, political parties typically have more resources and money available to them than do interest groups. Ultimately, interest groups and political parties are both important players in the political process, and each plays a unique role in influencing public policy.