Interest Groups Flashcards
organizations of people sharing a common interest; interest groups (lobbies) make policy-related appeals to the government
interest groups
individuals, organizations, or offices representing other interest group organizations; they are generally not open to broad public membership (e.g. Ford, Amazon, the NFL)
institutional interest groups
organizations open to public membership that allow members to gather to engage in civil or political action (e.g. AARP, ACLU, NAACP)
membership interest group
benefits for both interest group members and non-members
public goods
groups seeking to provide benefits (public goods) for the broader public beyond just the group’s members
public-interest groups
when people reap the benefits of interest group action but without participating in the group
free riding
money, services, or things with monetary value (e.g. discounts)
material incentives
benefits for an individual to obtain or spread knowledge
informational incentives
social rewards such as networking, friendships, or increased status
solidary incentives
character benefits gained from serving a cause or principle or emotions felt about a group’s cause
purposive incentives
interest group activity that involves influencing legislators to either approve or reject bills by providing them with specialist information
direct lobbying
interest group activity that involves establishing close relationships with legislators and public officials; it highlights the “revolving door” in politics, when legislators and public officials leave office to become lobbyists (and vice versa)
obtaining access
an interest group activity that involves filling or supporting lawsuits in the courts; examples include providing funding for individuals/groups and providing amicus curiae briefs for legal cases
litigation
interest group activities including voter mobilization, initiatives such as petitions and ballot measures, and campaign financing (e.g. political action committees)
electoral interest group processes
interest group activities that include organizing and/or supporting protests, marches, boycotts, and civil disobedience
public appeals