Chapter 6: Interest Groups

Which of the following is a private good? a. Sitting in a park b. Driving to work or school on a highway c. Drinking tap water d. Eating a sandwich e. National defense

Eating a sandwich

Which of the following is NOT a public good? a. National defense b. Medicare c. Clean water d. National parks e. Clean air

Medicare

Laws that ban unions from collecting dues or other fees from workers whom they represent but who have not actually joined the union are known as _____ laws. a. no-worker-left-behind b. right-to-work c. guaranteed-work d. workforce-expansion e. economic-freedom

right-to-work

The _____ refers to the frequent transition for those who leave positions with the federal government to become lobbyists or consultants for the private-interest groups they helped to regulate. a. the "heroes to zeroes" complex. b. the "free rider" problem. c. "Potomac fever." d. the "revolving door" syndrome. e. "lobbying addiction."

the "revolving door" syndrome.

The largest and most powerful labor interest group today is a. the AFL-CIO. b. AARP. c. the NAM. d. the NRA. e. MADD.

the AFL-CIO.

All of the following are direct lobbying techniques used by interest groups to influence public policy EXCEPT a. offering "expert" testimony before congressional committees. b. providing expertise and research results for legislators. c. making personal contacts with legislators. d. the use of issue ads. e. providing election support to candidates.

the use of issue ads.

The American Association for Justice represents the interests of a. trial lawyers. b. children. c. environmentalists. d. persons of color. e. senior citizens.

trial lawyers.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is a(n) a. public-interest group. b. consumer interest group. c. labor interest group. d. umbrella organization that has become a major voice for millions of small businesses. e. federation representing farm families and producers of various specific farm commodities.

umbrella organization that has become a major voice for millions of small businesses.

Interest groups have skirted campaign finance laws by a. urging constituents to contact government officials. b. filing briefs in court. c. by organizing demonstrations and protests. d. using independent expenditures for issue ads and voter registration. e. evaluating public officials through ratings systems.

using independent expenditures for issue ads and voter registration.

Trade organizations a. usually support policies that benefit specific industries. b. are formed with the goal of working for the "public good." c. represent all of the people over the age of sixteen who are working or actively looking for jobs. d. are concerned mainly with the standards of their professions, but they also work to influence government policy. e. are formed for the protection of consumer rights.

usually support policies that benefit specific industries.

Today, members of organized labor make up about _____ of the labor force. a. 6 percent b. 11 percent c. 20 percent d. 30 percent e. 43 percent

11 percent

Surveys show that about _____ of Americans belong to professional and trade organizations. a. 14 percent b. 27 percent c. 44 percent d. 61 percent e. 76 percent

27 percent

More than _____ of Americans belong to at least one group. a. 25 percent b. 31 percent c. 45 percent d. 62 percent e. 85 percent

85 percent

_____ is an indirect technique used by interest groups to influence public policy. a. Making personal contacts with key legislators b. Providing legal advice to legislators c. Following up on legislation d. Providing election support e. Airing issue ads

Airing issue ads

The _____ achieved one of its greatest early successes when it helped to obtain government guarantees of "fair" prices during the Great Depression of the 1930s. a. American Farm Bureau Federation b. National Grange c. Consumers Union d. National Farmers Union e. Consumer Federation of America

American Farm Bureau Federation

Which of the following is the largest broad-based agricultural interest group? a. National Farmers Union b. National Grange c. American Farm Bureau Federation d. Club for Growth e. Greenpeace USA

American Farm Bureau Federation

The _____ is a professional interest group. a. National Farmers Union b. Club for Growth c. National Rifle Association d. American Medical Association e. National Urban League

American Medical Association

_____ theory describes the defensive formation of interest groups as a reaction to the creation of other interest groups. The National Right to Life Committee, for example, formed in response to Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court's decision that legalized abortion. a. Pluralist b. Disturbance c. Elite d. Entrepreneurial e. Social contract

Disturbance

Each of the following is an indirect technique used by interest groups to influence public policy EXCEPT a. Filing Amicus Curiae briefs b. Online camaigns c. Following up on legislation d. Airing Issue Ads e. Using rating systems

Following up on legislation (?)

_______ is the belief that public policy should be set in accordance with the opinions of a majority of the people. a. Elite theory b. Majoritarianism c. Pluralism d. Amicus Curae e. Free Rider theory

Majoritarianism

_____ is a single-issue interest group. a. The National Education Association b. The United Electrical Workers c. The American Bar Association d. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) e. The Tea Party

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)

_____ is a direct lobbying technique used by interest groups to influence public policy. a. Providing election support b. Airing issue ads c. Shaping public opinion d. Astroturf lobbying e. Mobilizing constituents

Providing election support

Which of the following types of groups has the highest percentage of Americans belonging to them? a. Social clubs b. Professional and trade associations c. PTA and school groups d. Health, sport, and country clubs e. Religious groups

Religious groups

_____ is an indirect lobbying technique. a. Making personal contacts with legislators b. Providing knowledge and expertise on legislation c. Offering expert testimony before congressional committees d. Providing legal advice to legislators e. Shaping public opinion

Shaping public opinion

In 2007, Merck, a pharmaceutical company, donated $5,000 to the reelection campaign of _____ just before she/he signed an executive order requiring a new vaccine, made by Merck, to the list required for public school students. a. Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm b. President Bill Clinton c. Florida Governor Jeb Bush d. Texas Governor Rick Perry e. Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley

Texas Govenor Rick Perry

Right-to-work laws create _____ for unions. a. a free rider problem b. an increase in membership c. increased revenues d. more political influence e. the right to strike to improve wages and working conditions

a free rider problem

A material incentive for joining an interest group is best described as a. pleasure in associating with like-minded individuals. b. satisfaction resulting from working for a cause in which one believes. c. a practical benefit such as discounts, subscriptions, or group insurance. d. the ability to enjoy the outcome of a group's efforts without having to contribute. e. the opportunity to compete for public office.

a practical benefit such as discounts, subscriptions, or group insurance.

Lobbying refers to a. shaping public opinion through online campaigns. b. all of the indirect techniques used by interest groups to influence government officials. c. all of the attempts by organizations or by individuals to influence the passage, defeat, or contents of legislation, or to influence the administrative decisions of government. d. evaluating the performance of legislators based on how often they have voted with an interest group's position on particular issues. e. peaceful demonstrations designed to make a statement about a group's interests.

all of the attempts by organizations or by individuals to influence the passage, defeat, or contents of legislation, or to influence the administrative decisions of government.

The First Amendment's guarantee of free speech protects interest group's rights to fund "issue ads" as long as the expenditures a. are coordinated with a candidate's campaign. b. are provided by a political party. c. are donated by 501(c)4 organizations during presidential campaigns. d. are not coordinated with a candidate's camaign or a political party. e. come directly from a candidate's own personal fund.

are not coordinated with a canidate's campaign or a political party.

Interest groups a. are usually policy generalists. b. are often policy specialists. c. are usually more loosely organized than political parties. d. run candidates for political office; their main sphere of influence is the electoral system. e. are not allowed to have dues-paying members.

are often policy specialists.

Consumer interest groups a. represent people with advanced education and special training. b. are organized to protect the rights of the buying public c. are organized to work on behalf of agricultural interests. d. represent a particular industry to develop common standards and goals. e. represent people who share the same race, gender or other characteristic.

are organized to protect the rights of the buying public.

Campaigns that masquerade as grassroots mobilizations, but are not, have been labeled _____ lobbying. a. bluegrass b. amicus c. astroturf d. turfgrass e. gridiron

astroturf

Interest group activity a. occurs only in the legislative branch. b. can be found on every level and in every branch of government. c. is confined to the executive and legislative branches of government. d. is barred within the judiciary. e. is barred from all government offices.

can be found on every level and in every branch of government.

In the last several decades, union membership has a. remained constant. b. increased significantly. c. hovered around 50 percent of the workforce. d. declined significantly. e. declined slightly.

declined significantly.

In the context of the organization of interest groups, _____ theory focuses on the importance of the leaders who establish the organization. a. pluralist b. disturbance c. elite d. entrepreneurial e. democratic

entrepreneurial

An interest group might challenge a law in court indirectly by a. filing a brief as an amicus curiae. b. lobbying. c. creating PACs. d. petitioning for a writ of certiorari. e. filing a lawsuit.

filing a brief as an amicus curiae.

An indirect method of lobbying the courts is a. filing a lawsuit. b. asking Congress to withhold funding. c. known as pluralism. d. organizing to win elections. e. filing an amicus curiae brief.

filing a lawsuit.

In 1835, Alexis de Tocqueville observed that Americans have a tendency to _____ and have perfected "the art of pursuing in common the object of their common desires." a. form associations b. engage in riot and rebellion c. shun politics d. compete for public office e. persecute people for their religious beliefs

form associations

Individuals who can enjoy the outcome of an interest group's efforts without having to contribute are called _____. a. social loafers b. lobbyists c. social climbers d. entrepreneurs e. free riders

free riders

Unlike private sector unions, public sector unions a. National Farmers Union b. Club for Growth c. National Rifle Association d. American Medical Association e. National Urban League

have the ability to negotiate greater pensions and benefits.

Interest groups a. are policy generalists. b. help bridge the gap between citizens and government. c. seek to win elections. d. seek to operate the government. e. compete for public office.

help bridge the gap between citizens and government.

The American Indian Movement is an example of a(n) _____ interest group. a. professional b. identity c. ideological d. single-issue e. government

identity

The Tea Party Movement and Greenpeace are _____ interest groups. a. business b. identity c. ideological d. agricultural e. consumer

ideological (?)

Pluralists maintain that the influence of interest groups on government is not undemocratic, because a. individual interests are indirectly represented in the policymaking process through these groups. b. every group enjoys the same success in gaining access to members of Congress. c. interest group lobbyists are elected by the people. d. groups have equal numbers of members and the same level of resources. e. free riders provide the funds necessary to promote the interests of all citizens.

individual interests are indirectly represented in the policymaking process through these groups.

A group becomes an interest group when a. people with shared interests get together in an organized fashion. b. direct methods are used to achieve a common objective. c. it seeks to affect the policies and practices of government. d. Congress allows it to, through a process established by law. e. the government gives permission for the group to expand the scope of its activities.

it seeks to affect the policies and practices of government.

Under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, a. lobbyists must report their clients, the issues on which they lobbied, and the agency or chamber of Congress they contacted. b. bundled campaign contributions in presidential elections are prohibited. c. only persons who testify before congressional committees are required to register as lobbyists. d. tax-exempt organizations are required to file quarterly reports listing the number of times they have spoken to members of Congress. e. members of Congress are prohibited from giving gifts to lobbyists.

lobbyists must report their clients, the issues on which they lobbied, and the agency or chamber of Congress they contacted.

The NRA has successfully used the technique of _____ to fight strict federal gun control legislation by delivering half a million letters to Congress within a few weeks. a. mobilizing constituents b. staging demonstrations c. providing expertise and research results for legislators d. making personal contacts with key legislators e. following up on legislation

mobilizing constituents

Interest groups a. often provide public officials with specialized and detailed information that might be difficult to obtain otherwise. b. run candidates for political office. c. are policy generalists. d. operate the government. e. compete for public office.

often provide public officials with specialized and detailed information that might be difficult to obtain otherwise.

Under the 1946 Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act, a. lobbying was prohibited. b. bundled campaign contributions were banned. c. only persons or organizations whose principal purpose was to influence legislation were required to register. d. only persons whose lobbying was directed at agencies in the executive branch were required to register as lobbyists and file quarterly reports. e. members of Congress were prohibited from accepting gifts or travel paid for by lobbyists.

only persons or organizations whose principal purpose was to influence legislation were required to register.

A solidary incentive for joining an interest group is best described as a. pleasure in associating with like-minded individuals. b. satisfaction resulting from working for a cause in which one believes. c. a practical benefit such as discounts, subscriptions, or group insurance. d. the ability to enjoy the outcome of a group's efforts without having to contribute. e. the opportunity to compete for public office.

pleasure in associating with like-minded individuals.

The _____ theory of American democracy focuses on the participation of groups in a decentralized government structure that offers many points of access to policymakers. a. elite b. free rider c. chaos d. pluralist e. democratic

pluralist

Since the 1970s, corporations, labor unions, and special interest groups have been allowed to raise funds and make campaign contributions through _____ committees. a. political action b. public advantage c. policy action d. public access e. democracy-in-action

political action

The most common type of interest group promotes _____. a. private interests b. the public good c. business interests d. free riders e. charitable contributions

private interests

An interest formed to benefit the economic interests of members is called a _____. a. federation b. chamber of commerce c. an umbrella organization d. public-interest group e. private-interest group

private-interset group

The Supreme Court has made it clear that the First Amendment's guarantee of free speech a. does not include protection for interest groups to set forth their positions on issues. b. protects interest groups' rights to set forth their positions on issues only when their messages are coordinated with a candidate's campaign or a political party. c. protects issue advocacy as long as that advocacy is coordinated with a candidate's campaign or a political party. d. protects interest groups' rights to set forth their positions on issues when they fund such activities through independent expenditures that are not coordinated with a candidate's campaign or a political party. e. does not include protection for issue ads.

protects interest groups/ rights to set forth their positions on issues when they fund such activities through independent expenditures that are not coordinated with a candidate's campaign or a political party.

The American Civil Liberties Union is considered a(n) _____ group. a. public-interest b. labor interest c. professional interest d. identity interest e. single-issue interest

public-interest

Satisfaction that is derived from taking action as part of a group is referred to as a _____ incentive. a. free-rider b. purposive c. pluralist d. solidary e. material

purposive

Identity interest groups a. represent people with advanced education and special training. b. are organized to protect consumer rights. c. are organized to work on behalf of agricultural interests. d. represent a particular industry to develop common standards and goals. e. represent people who share the same race, gender, or other characteristic.

represent people who share the same race, gender, or other characteristic.

Interest groups do NOT a. help raise public awareness and inspire action on various issues. b. help bridge the gap between citizens and government. c. enable citizens to explain their views on policies to public officials. d. serve as another check on public officials to make sure they are carrying out their duties responsibly. e. seek to win elections or operate the government.

seek to win elections or operate the government.

All of the following are reasons business interest groups have begun to increasingly support the Democratic party EXCEPT a. in some fields business leaders are more likely to be Democrats than Republicans. b. the Republican party is no longer business-friendly. c. the technology industry contains both Democrats and Republicans. d. interest groups are trying to avoid political disfavor. e. interest groups want to benefit regardless who wins elections.

the Republican party is no longer business-friendly.