What term describes a group of self-interested, passionate citizens who band together to achieve their goals?

• A. Faction
• B. Interest Group
• C. Political Party
• D. Coalition

Answer: (A)

In political theory, a faction is a group of self-interested, passionate citizens who band together to achieve their goals. This captures the idea of people uniting around a common interest that may threaten the rights of others or the community’s welfare, which is exactly what the description describes. The best word for this phenomenon is faction, as it conveys both the collective action around a shared motive and the potential tension with the broader good. The other terms describe related ideas but not this precise concept: an interest group is a modern label for organizations formed to influence policy; a political party aims to win elections and govern; a coalition is a temporary alliance among diverse groups for a specific objective.