Gov ch. 9 Adrian Clark

Why do many interest groups form political action committees (PACs)?

because contributing to candidates' campaigns can help gain access for interest group lobbyists

While the relationship between actors is an iron triangle tends to be more long-lasting, issue networks tend to

disband once an issue is settled

An organization that seeks to influence government decision making is referred to as

interest group

An ___ ___ is an informal group of persons from Congress, executive agencies, and interest groups with a mutual interest in a particular policy area.

iron triangle

Compared with Europeans, Americans are ___ likely to belong to a voluntary groups or association.

more

Most citizens groups are ___ interest groups because they focus on a specific issues such as the environment

single-issue

Political scientist Manur Olson argues that ____ interest groups have a particular size advantage that allows them to have more organizational power.

business

Which of the following represents a shared view of pluralists and their critics?

interest groups are important to bringing the concerns of groups of individuals to the attention of government

iron triangles work to the benefit of three members of the triangle. Match each iron triangle to what it gets from the relationship.

members of the congress -> electoral support interest group -> beneficial policy decisions federal agency -> support for their administrative programs

Match the actor in an iron triangle with the benefits that they provide to other actors.

Interest groups- electoral support to member of congress Congressional Committee- budget support for a program Government Agency- Constituent service

Which type of group typically has a problem with free riders?

citizens' groups

Benefits that belong to the entire group are referred to as

collective (public) good.

Which of the following are the components of an iron triangle?

congressional committees interest groups executive agencies

Which of the following type of interest groups is not classified as an economic interest group?

consumer

Which of the following help interest groups participate more effectively in group politics?

contacts skills money

Which of the following would be considered an electoral action strategy?

forming a political action committee (PAC)

___ goods are those that belong to all people and cannot be withheld on an individual basis, such as clean air or water

collective

The interest-group system tends to work primarily in favor of

corporate interests

James Madison predicted the growth of ___ interests in Federalist #10 because he argues that nothing matters to people than their own economic well-being

economic

Lobbying elected officials includes which of the following activities?

face-to-face meetings with members of Congress

An example of an environmental interest group is

greenpeace

A(n) blank blank is comprised of various actors that all have interest and expertise in a particular issue even though they may disagree on what the outcome should be.

issue network

Which of the following are types of policy processes in which many interest groups participate?

issue networks and iron triangles

Which of the following are ways in which members of Congress benefit ties to lobbyists?

lobbyists testify at committee hearings, identify bills that need their attention, provide information on specific pieces of legislation

Capture theory argues that ___ sometimes focus more on the needs of industries than on the public interest

regulatory agencies

According to political scientist Manur Olson, interest groups with smaller memberships usually prevail because they are able to join together an pool resources

True

Those interest groups that are poorly organized run the risk of being ignored politically.

True

Which group represents the largest agricultural interest group in the United States today?

the American Farm Bureau

Type of interest group that addresses issues of concern to the general public and not just the groups members is called a ____ interest group.

citizens'

Interest groups tend to rely on the courts to advance their policy goals when they have

- a low chance of achieving their goals through elected officials -faced legislative hurdles

Which of the following are legal tactics used by interest groups to influence policymakers?

- making campaign contributions - lobbying - engaging in public relations

Which of the following are considered reasons for Americans' broad participation in groups, such as volunteer organizations?

-the prominence of public education - a tradition of free association - the importance of religion

Which of the following statements are true concerning interest groups?

-they can support controversial issues that lawmakers often avoid -they broaden the range of issues that lawmaking address

There are roughly ___ registered lobbyists who work in Washington

12,000

which of the following is a consequence of the effort of the writers of the constitution to devise a governing system that would guard against tyranny of the majority?

America's system of divided power provides abundant opportunities for interest groups to achieve their policy goals

Which of the following states have 800 or more registered lobbyists within the state?

Texas California New York

Citizens United v Federal Election Commission involved which issue affecting interest groups?

The limit on corporate and union spending in federal elections

The United States provides a favorable environment for interest groups because

The separation of powers and federalism provide numerous points of access for interest groups to try to influence policymakers the tradition of people joining together encourages them to look to interest groups as a way of influencing policymakers of the tradition of free speech and association means there are few legal barriers to the activities of interest groups

Which type of workers make up an increasing share of union workers?

government workers

Which of the following would be considered outside lobbying activities used by interest groups?

having group members send letters to their legislators creating public service announcements to be aired on television organizing a protest on the steps of Congress

Compared to most European nations, Americans' community involvement is substantially ___ than that of European citizens.

higher

Who typically benefits the most from interest group resources and activism?

incumbents

Rather than using threats, interest groups tend to influence lawmakers by providing them with

information that supports the group's policy positions

....... lobbying includes forming pacs and influencing the news media?

outside

____ lobbying involves bringing public pressure on policymakers, such as organizing a letter writing campaign to members of Congress

outside

An interest group may form a ___ ___ ___ whose main goal is to raise and spend and spend money to influence the outcome of elections.

political action committee

_____ goods refer benefits that are given directly to particular individuals as a result of belonging to an interest group

private

Outside lobbying is aimed at bringing ______ pressure to bear on policy makers.

public

____ incentives include the satisfaction that you are participating in a worthy effort

purposive

Interest groups that are not directly involved in litigation may file amicus curiae briefs

to encourage a ruling that is beneficial to their cause

Which of the following are the chief targets of interest groups when the lobby the executive branch?

top officials of federal agencies

Which type of interest group represents business firms of a particular kind, such as insurance companies?

trade association