Ch. 11 - 1. Defining Interest Groups

interest group

individuals who organize to influence the governments programs and policies

Describe the major types of interest groups and whom they represent

An interest group is an organized group of people or institutions that lobbies government to change public policy. Interest groups serve several important functions in American democracy, from educating group members on policy issues to monitoring government programs. Common types include corporate groups and trade associations, labor groups, professional associations, citizen groups, government groups, and think tanks. Interest groups are numerous and diverse in the United States because of the country's large size and scope, citizens guaranteed freedoms of speech and assembly, and the multitude of opportunities for interest groups to influence public policy across different levels of government.

3. The Sierra Club, the National Rifle Association, and the National Taxpayers Union are all examples of a) membership associations b) citizen groups c) professional associations d) ideological groups e) public-sector groups

b) citizen groups

2. Which category of interest group tends to spend the most money, collectively, on lobbying? a) labor organizations b) citizen groups c) businesses and business and trade organizations d) think tanks e) political parties

c) businesses and business and trade organizations

1. Which of the following best describes how interest groups are different from political parties? a) interest groups represent broad coalitions of people, while political parties represent smaller, more specific groups of people. b) interest groups organize to nominate candidates and to win elected office, while political parties do not. c) interest groups tend to focus on the personnel of government, while political parties tend to focus on the policies of government d) interest groups tend to focus on the policies of government, while political parties tend to focus on the personnel of government e) Political parties are one type of interest group

d) interest groups tend to focus on the policies of government, while political parties tend to focus on the personnel of government

public interest groups

groups that claim they serve the general good rather than only their own particular interests