What term describes a collective of people with similar interests and goals?

The term that best describes a collective of people with similar interests and goals is "community." A community typically refers to a group of individuals who share common characteristics, values, or interests, often coming together to support one another and work towards common objectives. This sense of belonging and shared purpose is a defining feature that distinguishes communities from other terms.

In contrast, while "society" refers to a broader group of people living together in a more structured or organized way, it does not specifically imply shared interests or goals. "Cohort" usually describes a group of people banded together, often within a specific context such as education or research, but it doesn't necessarily encompass the broader interest and goal alignment that a community does. "Network" often refers to a system of interconnected individuals or organizations but can be more about connections rather than the shared values or goals inherent to a community.

Thus, "community" encapsulates the idea of a collective with shared interests and goals more effectively than the other options provided.