Chapter 11: Groups and Interests

As the size of an interest group increases, its potential political influence _____; at the same time, the free-rider problem it faces _____. As groups get smaller, the free-rider problem they face _____.

- Increases - Increases - Decreases

PACs play an important role in congressional elections. In House elections, PACs are particularly beneficial to _____, who receive about half of their campaign funds from PACs, whereas _____, only receive about 15 percent of their campaign funds from PACs. Senate candidates overall are _____, reliant on PAC contributions than candidates for the House of Representatives. However, in Senate elections, ______ still have the advantage in terms of PAC donations.

- Incumbents - Challengers -Less -. Incumbents

Lobbying Congress mostly involves what two activities?

- meeting with legislators and staffs - testifying at legislative hearings

Study the Who Are Americans? infographic, and then answer the question. In 2018, what was the dollar difference between the PACs that spent the most and the least?

81.3

Study the Who Participates? infographic, and then answer the question. In 2018, the gap between the organizations that spent the most and the least on lobbying was how many millions of dollars?

82.5

Label the each example of an interest group benefit with the type of benefit it represents.

An interest-group member receives a free T-shirt for joining - Material An individual draws pride from having contributed to an interest group's introduction of a particular piece of legislation. - Purposive An interest-group member receives discounts from local businesses related to the interest group. - Material An individual joins an environmental protection organization to meet and network with other local environmentalists. - Solidary

Which of the following statements about PACs are accurate?

Correct Answers: - Evidence suggests that interest groups' campaign contributions influence behavior in Congress. - The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) failed to restrict PAC operations overall. Incorrect Answers: - The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 curtailed the power of PACs during the 1970s and 1980s. - Given the negative public opinion of PACs, politicians are increasingly reluctant to take PAC donations.

Study the Who Are Americans? infographic, and then answer the question. Which PACs donated more, as a percentage of their contributions, to Democratic candidates than Republican candidates?

Correct Answers: - Lawyers/lobbyists - Labor Incorrect Answers: - Energy/natural resources - Ideological/Single Issue

Study the Who Participates? infographic, and then answer the question. Based on the level of donations from these interest groups, which policy areas do you think Congress would be more likely to consider?

Correct Answers: - Technology Companies - Health care - Business Interests Incorrect Answers: - Climate change - Homelessness

What do interest groups do when they "go public"?

Correct Answers: - shape public opinion - mobilize supporters Incorrect Answers: - meet with members of Congress - testify at committee meetings

Which of the following are examples of material benefits?

Correct Answers: -Mug or tote bag that you receive for donating. -Travel discounts for being a member of the AARP. Incorrect Answers: -Meeting new friends who share you interests. -The good feelings you get for helping a cause you believe in.

What are advantages that corporate and professional groups have over citizen groups when attempting to influence public policy?

Correct Answers; - They are more likely to monitor all relevant issues and policy areas. - They often defend the status quo against policy changes. They are more likely to be mobilized on relevant issues. - They are focused on issues out of the public and media's attention. - They are more likely to be mobilized on relevant issues. Incorrect Answers: - The sheer number of members provides political leverage over policy makers.

Ballot measures sponsored by businesses or business groups are much more likely to pass than those initiatives sponsored by citizen groups.

False

Because of reforms put in place in the 1970s, the amount of electoral spending by interest groups has remained about the same since then.

False

Coordination and accountability are more easily achieved in bigger groups with lots of members.

False

Identify a primary reason interest groups make PAC donations to politicians' campaigns.

Gain access to the lawmaker

_____ are the most closely related type of interest group to public interest groups.

Ideological groups

Interest groups provide different sorts of benefits to attract members. ______ benefits are provided in the form of emails, conferences, training events, and other communications from a group. ______ benefits include meeting like-minded people, developing friendships, and the networking opportunities individuals gain from being a member of an organization.

Informational Solidary

One of the more famous quotes in political science (yes, there are famous quotes among political scientists) is Schattschneider's "[t]he flaw in the pluralist heaven is that the heavenly chorus sings with a strong upper-class accent.″ What did he mean by this?

Interest-group politics tends to favor business and corporate interests.

What do most effective interest groups have in common?

Leadership, money, and members

What kind of benefit is derived from the experience of working with like-minded people?

Solidary

Which statement about interest groups is accurate?

The presence of a large number of interest groups would suggest a more pluralistic society.

Recent presidential administrations have introduced rules attempting to reduce the influence of lobbyists on government.

True

Study the Who Participates? infographic, and then answer the question. Out of the 20 top spenders on lobbying in the infographic, more than half spent under $20 million in 2018.

True

When are groups more likely to encourage less conventional methods of political participation, such as participation in protests or demonstrations?

When the group lacks resources.

Interest groups may use _____ in mass-circulation magazines, newspapers, and television to improve their standing in the community at large or communicate their values, whereas _____ occurs when a lobbying group urges its members to contact their elected representatives directly with letters, emails, or phone calls.

institutional advertising grassroots mobilization