Interest Group Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is the definition that congress gave to lobbyists?
Employees by a client make more than 1 contact for the client and spend more than 20% of their time serving the client.
What is an interest group?
A group of people who share common interest goals and organize to influence government.
What did the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 do?
Closed loopholes in the 1948 federal regulation of lobbying act and allowed most lobbyists to register with Congress. The goal is to prevent illegal influence on members of Congress.
Who wrote the Federalist, No. 10? What was it about?
James Madison. It discusses factions that are united to help promote special groups of people and protects against the abuse of interest groups.
Who is Alexis de Tocqueville? How did he define Democracy in America?
A 1900s French author who stated that in no country of the world has the principle of association been more successful, used, or applied than in America.
What are the limitations for interest groups?
Complete power keeps any single group from controlling lawmakers. Large groups have diversity and broad policy goals, while small groups have narrow aims and are more effective with financial contributions.
Compare and contrast Political parties and interest groups.
Both give support to candidates and influence government officials. Political parties nominate candidates for office, while interest groups do not try to gain members and are organized on common attitudes.
Why do people join interest groups?
To promote economic self-interest, to get their beliefs translated into policies, and for social reasons.
What does ABA stand for?
American Bar Association.
What does AMA stand for?
American Medical Association.
What are the 3 factors that affect public opinion?
Diversity, varied groups leading to different opinions, communication through polls private letters and emails, significant numbers = power
All Americans have economic concerns about what?
Taxes, housing, unemployment, food prices, and inflation.
What does NAM stand for? What do they do?
National Association of Manufacturers. They work to lower individual and corporate taxes and to limit government regulations of business.
What are the 6 factors that influence opinion?
Family and home influences, schools and peer groups, social characteristics, the mass media, political efficacy, and other influences.
What does NFU stand for?
National Farmers Union.
What are the 4 main ideologies of government? Describe them.
Conservative: limiting government’s role in the economy and solving social problems. Liberal: government should actively promote health, education, and justice. Moderate: feel between liberals and conservatives. Libertarians: support both economic and social freedoms.
What does AFL-CIO stand for?
American Federation of Labor and Congress on Industrial Organizations.
What does UAW stand for?
United Auto Workers.
What are the Two major interest groups in government?
National Conference of State Legislators and National Governors Association.
What does UMW stand for?
United Mine Workers.
What are the goals for environmental interest groups?
Conservation of resources, protecting wildlife, and reversing global warming.
What are the 3 groups that represent farmers? Describe each one.
American Farm Bureau Federation: speakers for larger farms associated with the federal department of agriculture. National Farmers Union: supports small farms, favors higher prices for crops and livestock. Patrons of Husbandry (Grange): advocates price support for crops and is a social organization.
