POLS CH 6

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

A 2010 landmark Supreme Court case that ruled that individuals, corporations, and unions could donate unlimited amounts of money to groups that make independent political expenditures.

collective action

An action taken by a group of like-minded individuals to achieve a common goal. for provision of public goods

Lobbying

Engaging in activities aimed at influencing public officials, especially legislators, and the policies they enact. on behalf of group

selective benefits

Goods (such as information publications, travel discounts, and group insurance rates) that a group can restrict to those who pay their annual dues.

"hard" money vs. "soft" money

Hard: campaign contributons made directly to candidates and REGULATED by law Soft: campaign contributions given to political parties rather than directly to canidates NOT REGULATED

amicus curiae brief

Literally, a "friend of the court" brief, filed by an individual or organization (interest group) to present arguments in addition to those presented by the immediate parties to a case.

group entrepreneur

Someone who invests resources (such as time, money, and organizational skill) to create and build an organization that offers various types of benefits (material, solidary, and purposive) to entice others to join the group.

527 groups

Tax-exempt organizations that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to influence elections. They can engage in voter mobilization and issue advocacy, but they cannot expressly advocate the election or defeat of a federal candidate.

501(c) groups

Tax-exempt organizations that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to promote "social welfare." They may advocate for or against candidates, but political activities cannot become their primary purpose. They can keep their donors and names of members secret.

exchange theory

The theory that interest groups form as a result of a deal-an exchange-between a group entrepreneur and an unorganized interest that may be underrepresented or not represented at all.

Federal Election Campaign Act

a 1971 act that allowed unions and corporations to form political action committees to raise and contribute campaign funds to candidates

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act

a law that limits hard-money contributions during each election cycle to $2,000 from individuals and $5,000 from PACs

Super PACs

a type of independent political action committee which may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, and individuals but is not permitted to contribute to or coordinate directly with parties or candidates.

direct lobbying

direct contact with by lobbyst with government officials in a effort to influence policy

Logrolling

exchange of support on issues between groups or individuals in order to gain mutual advantage

single-issue groups

groups that have a narrow interest on which their members tend to take an uncompromising stance

Rational

maximize benefits and minimize cost

Political Action Committee (PAC)

organizations set up by interest groups especially to collect money to make political contributions on behalf of group

free rider problem

the problem faced by interest groups when citizens can reap the benefits of interest group action without actually joining, participating in, or contributing money to such groups.

indirect lobbying

the use of intermediaries by lobbyists to speak to government officials, with the intent to influence policy