Chapter 11 Flashcards
Difference between interest groups and political party
Interest group have one focus
Political party is a team seeking to control the government
An organization of people with shared policy goals entering the policy process at several points to try to achieve those goals
Interest groups
Theory of government and politics contending that societies are divide along class lines Upperclass elite will rule
Elite theory
Politics is mainly a competition among groups each one pressing their own policies
Pluralism
Groups are so strong that government is weakened
Extreme form of pluralism
Hyperpluralism
Idea that the government will try to make everybody happy
Interest group liberalism
People who get the benefit without having to join the organization
Free rider problem
Advanced by Mancur Olson
Principle stating “the larger the group, the further it will fall short of providing an optimal amount of collective good”
Olsons law of large groups
Lawsuits permitting a small number of people to sue on behalf of all other people similarly situated
Class action lawsuits
Friend of the court
Information to help the court and jury make a decision
Curiae briefs
Communication by someone other than a citizen acting on his own belief
Directed to a governmental decision maker with the hope of influencing his decision
Lobbyist
Politicians getting information
Benefits for politicians of lobbyist
Funding vehicles created by the 1974 campaign finance reforms
Corporation can creat a PAC and register with the fec
Political action committee
Something of value that cannot be withheld from a group member
Money, clean air
Collective good
Might be interested because they share a common interest
Potential group
