Flashcards in Midterm Deck (30):
1
An interest group is most likely to have influence in congress with which of the following situations?
An issue that is narrow in scope and and low in public visibility
2
All of the following statements concerning interest groups are true except:
They often run their own candidates for public office
3
Special interest groups do all of the following except:
Donate money to federal judges
4
All of the following arguments are essential to the special interest theory of politics except:
Interest groups encourage membership from diverse groups that may disagree with their goals
5
Which of the following represents a major reason for the proliferation of special interests and lobby groups?
The reactive nature of interest groups and lobbyists to new issues
6
Which of the following officials do lobbyists most succeed with?
Officials who have a basic philosophical affinity with the lobbyist
7
A significant amount of PAC money most likely goes to:
Candidates who hold incumbent status
8
Which of the following statements represents the main function of special interest groups:
They want to influence office holders and achieve legislative goals
9
All of the following are techniques used by lobbyists except:
Appearing on the floor of congress as staff assistants to senators and representatives
10
Which of the following statements represents a potential conflict of interest?
Lobbyists are former government officials who have close ties with current legislators
11
Supremacy clause:
Federal law always overrules state laws
Article 6
12
Elastic clause:
Congress has the power to make any laws it needs to carry out its powers (law for making laws)
Section 8 article 1
13
Full faith and credit:
Mutual respect and legality of laws, public records, and judicial decisions made by states
14
Free Exercise Clause:
Guarantees an individual the right to pray and believe in the religion of his or her choice by making it illegal for congress to pass laws that restrict this right
First Amendment
15
Iron triangle:
Interrelationship between bureaucracies, Congress, and interest groups
16
Agenda setting function theory:
Media can’t tell you what to think, but it can tell you what to think about
17
Stare decisis:
Encourages judges to follow precedent when deciding
18
Writ of certiorari:
Supreme Court accepts written briefs on appeal based on the rule of four
19
Rule of four
Approval of at least four judges before a case can be heard on appeal
20
Amicus brief:
Briefs that may be sent to support the position of one side or the other
21
Gerrymandering:
Redrawing of district boundary lines in favor of the political party in power in the state making the changes
22
Checks and balances:
One branch cannot over power the others
23
Example of president checking congress’s power:
President can veto a bill
24
Example of congress checking president:
Congress can override veto
25
Example of Supreme Court checking Congress’s power
Declare a law unconstitutional
26
Example of the President checking the Supreme Court’s power:
President can appoint a new Chief Justice
27
Emolument:
Gifts given to U.S. officials by a foreign state
28
Article I of constitution:
Legislative Branch
29
Article II:
Executive
30