Ch6 Interest groups and the policy process

Question 1

Interest group

Answer 1

Any group outside the state including market and some civil society groups that attempts to influence policy to achieve specific goals

Question 2

Governance

Answer 2

The rules of collective decision-making in settings where there are a plurality of actors or organisations and where no formal control system can dictate the terms of the relationship between these actors and organisations

Question 3

Three features of interest group

Answer 3

• Voluntairy
• Aim to achieve desired goals
• Do not aim to become formal part of governmental machinery

Question 4

Different types of interest groups

Answer 4

• Civil society groups
• Groups with market related or sectional interests
• Sectional groups
• Cause groups

Question 5

Civil society groups

Answer 5

Include all organisations, like sportclubs, not dealing with policy

Question 6

Groups with market related or sectional interests

Answer 6

Interest group specifically related to market

Question 7

Sectional groups

Answer 7

Specifically market related
Protect and enhance the interests of their members and/or section of society it represents

Question 8

Cause groups

Answer 8

Exist primarily to pressurize on particular issues.. Aim to promote issue that concerns a specific course that members care for

Question 9

Resources for interest groups

Answer 9

• Their members
• Their level of funding
• Their level of knowledge
• Their persuasive skills
• Their sanctions

Question 10

Insider groups

Answer 10

Accepted and respected by government policy makers

Question 11

Outsider groups

Answer 11

Not perceived as legitimate by gov’t policy

Question 12

Functions of interest groups

Answer 12

• Participation
• Representation
• Political education
• Motivation
• Mobilization
• Monitoring
• Provision

Question 13

Iron triangle

Answer 13

Small, stable and exclusive policy community usually involving executive agencies, legislative committees and interest groups (e.g. around defence procurement)

Question 14

Issue network

Answer 14

Loose network comprising a large number of diverse members who usually come together to try to draw attention to an issue, address a specific problem or promote a particular solution

Question 15

Alford model

Answer 15

There are three structural or fundamental interests that define how health care politics operate and whose inter-relationships determine how the system is governed
- the professional monopolists
- the corporate rationalizers
- the equal health advocates and community health advocates

Question 16

Professional monopolists, Alford model

Answer 16

Specialists, government should listen to them

Question 17

Corporate rationalizers, Alford model

Answer 17

Attempt to implement strategies, such as rational planning of facilities

Question 18

Equal health advocates and community health advocates, Alford model

Answer 18

Cause and sectional interest groups lobbying for more attention