Vested interest

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For legal claims, rights or interests which have "vested" and cannot be removed, see Vesting.

A vested interest is the state or condition of having a special interest in protecting or supporting something for the purpose of self-interest, gain or benefit, often financially or politically. By way of protecting their vested interests, individuals, groups or other entities may seek to maintain a status quo. However, if changing a system works in one's favour, supporting or effecting such change may also be in one's vested interest. "Vested interests" may also refer collectively to individuals or groups which seek to maintain a favourable state of affairs.

A politician may therefore be said to have a vested interest in making a particular decision or achieving a particular outcome. For example, if the politician own shares in a company which may be awarded a lucrative government contract, he or she may have a vested interest in seeing that the company wins the contract. Conversely, a company which would benefit from a change in government policy will have a vested interest in the successful election of a candidate who supports such a change. Politicians are often required to declare financial interests and/or divest themselves of any asset or influence which may be seen as or lead to a conflict of interest. Failing to do so may amount to political corruption.

Vested interest

See also