The primary goal of interest groups is to shape public policy , which they do through a number of direct and indirect strategies . however , interest groups are also one of the linkage institutions that citizens connect with the us government . write a three paragraph essay analyzing the functions of interest groups. your essay should address the following questions: a. what are the direct and indirect strategies through which interest groups attempt to shape public policy b. what are some advantages and disadvantages of how interest groups work? to what degree do you think interest groups efforts to influence public policy allow citizens to participate in the democratic process ? in other words , how successful are they as linkage institutions?