X - Interest Groups

Question 1

Interest group

Answer 1

Organized group that seeks to pursue policy goals & influence public policy

Question 2

Interest groups vs political parties

Answer 2

Do not run candidates for political office

Policy specialists not policy generalists

Question 3

Rise of internet & social media

Answer 3

made it easier for interest groups to organize & lobby policy makers

Question 4

Interest groups are abe to

Answer 4

Provide opportunities for participation

Influence how people relate to gov’t & policy makers

Question 5

Pluralists

Answer 5

Believe that interest groups are a positive in that they link people & gov’ts

Question 6

Group theory of politics

Answer 6

Various groups compete
No one interest dominates
Opposing interests would balance one another

Question 7

Pluralists acknowledge that

Answer 7

Some groups are stronger than others

Not all interests get equal attention

Question 8

Elitism

Answer 8

Interest groups are extremely unequal in their power & influence

Question 9

Elitism argues that

Answer 9

Very few powerful groups that benefit the wealthy few at the expense of everyone else
There are only a few groups with significant power

Question 10

Hyperpluralism

Answer 10

many groups competing is bad for governing

Question 11

Too many interest groups creates

Answer 11

Gridlock as gov’t has too many interests to cater to

Increased spending, programs, and reulations

Question 12

Iron triange

Answer 12

When an interest group forms a close relationship with the federal agency that oversees policy related to their interest & congressional committees who handles those policies

Question 13

Iron triangles leads to

Answer 13

Control of regulators by the regulated

Question 14

What makes an interest group successful?

Answer 14

Small groups
Intensity
Wealth & financial resources

Question 15

Small groups

Answer 15

Easier to organize and convert potential group members into actual group members

Question 16

Collective good

Answer 16

Benefits that can’t be denied to nonmembers of a group

Question 17

“Free rider” probem

Answer 17

Nonmembers or potential members reap the benefits

Question 18

Intensity of support or opposition to an issue

Answer 18

increases the chance an interest group will be successful

Question 19

Single-issue groups tend to

Answer 19

dislike compromise & are increasingly on the rise

Question 20

Welath and finanical resources can help interest groups

Answer 20

Achieve their goals by providing access to politicians & political campaigns

Question 21

Lobbyists

Answer 21

Used to put pressure & influence political figures

Question 22

Types of lobbyists

Answer 22

Full-time

Temporary

Question 23

Why do Congressional leaders meet with lobbyists?

Answer 23

Receive specialized policy knowledge
Strategize how to win over votes and get support
Lobbyists provide ideas & legislative proposals

Question 24

Electioneering

Answer 24

Strategy of providing financial support to candidates friendly to a group cause & getting members to support them at the polls

Question 25

Political Action Committees

Answer 25

Established by interest groups to donate to candidates

Question 26

Litigation

Answer 26

Strategy of using courts and lawsuits to create change

Question 27

Example of litigation

Answer 27

Civil Rights Movement

Question 28

Amicus curiae briefs

Answer 28

Allow a group to give their opinion on how the court should rule & why

Question 29

Class action lawsuit

Answer 29

Combining common grievances amongst people into a single lawsuit

Question 30

Going public

Answer 30

strategy of mobilizing public opinion to influence policy makers

Question 31

Types of interest groups includes

Answer 31

Economic Environmental Equality Interests Consumer/ Public Interest

Question 32

Economic

Answer 32

Concern over taxes, regulation, subsidies, wages, etc

Question 33

Labor Unions

Answer 33

Closed shop- Membership is mandatory | Many states have passed "right to work laws"

Question 34

Corporate groups

Answer 34

Well funded lobbyists & PACS

Question 35

Environmental

Answer 35

Concern over global warming, water quality, etc.

Question 36

Equality Intersts

Answer 36

Concern over issues of racial, gender, sexual orientation justice

Question 37

Examples of equality interests

Answer 37

Brown v BoE(1954) | NOW battling gender discrimination & fought for ERA

Question 38

Consumer/ Public Interest

Answer 38

Concern over issues that they believe will positively impact the collect good

Question 39

Benefits & potential problems of interest groups influences

Answer 39

elections & policy making

Question 40

Interst groups may represent

Answer 40

specific or general interests

Question 41

Interest groups typically want

Answer 41

something from the gov't