Chapter 11

The fact that both John McCain and Barack Obama expressed strong support for hunters and fishermen in interviews with Field & Stream magazine during the 2008 campaign reflects the power of which interest group in American presidential elections? A. PETA B. The NRA C. The Brady Campaign D. NOW E. The U.S. Poultry Association

S. The NRA

The National Education Association (NEA) is the largest-membership organization in the United States in the America. A. True B. False

A. TRUE

Although very individualistic, Americans are also very associational. A. True B. False

A. TRUE

lobbying

a communication by someone other than a citizen acting on his own behalf, directed to a government decisionmaker, with the hope of influencing his decision.

public interest lobbies

organizations that seek a collective good, the achievement of which will not selectively and materially benefit the membership or activities of the organization.

potential group

all the people who might be interest groups members because they share a common interest. A potential group is almost always larger than the actual group.

interest groups

an organization of people with shared policy goals entering the policy process at several points to try to achieve those goals.

electioneering

direct group involvement in the electoral process. Groups can help fund campaigns, provide testimony and get people to work for the candidates, and some form political action communities.

political action committees

funding vehicles by the 1974 campaign finance reforms. A corporation or union group can create a PAC and register it with the FEC which will monitor its expenditures.

selective benefits

goods that a group can restrict to those who pay their yearly dues

single issue groups

groups that have a narrow interest, tend to dislike compromise, and often draw membership from people new to politics. these features distinguish them from public interest groups.

________ are written arguments submitted to the courts in support of one side of a case. A. Amicus curiae briefs B. Public interest lobbies C. Opening arguments D. Litigations E. Class action lawsuits

A. Amicus curiae briefs

Which of the following is NOT suggested by elite theory? A. An energetic "elite" made up of regulators in America's bureaucracy keeps special interests in check. B. Power is held by large corporations. C. Lobbying is a problem because it benefits the few at the expense of the many. D. The concentration of power in the hands of the few disproves pluralist theory. E. America's oil companies are a prime example of the power of multinational corporations.

A. An energetic "elite" made up of regulators in America's bureaucracy keeps special interests in check.

Another term for subgovernment is iron triangle. A. True B. False

A. TRUE

Economist Mancur Olson suggests that offering selective benefits is one way for large groups to overcome the free-rider problem. A. True B. False

A. TRUE

Interest group liberalism is promoted by the network of subgovernments in the American political system. A. True B. False

A. TRUE

Interest groups played a key role in getting the phrase "under God" included in the Pledge of Allegiance. A. True B. False

A. TRUE

Most lobbying is directed toward activating and reinforcing one's supporters. A. True B. False

A. TRUE

The Sierra Club is an example of an environmental interest group. A. true B. False

A. TRUE

The actions of interest groups make it difficult for politicians to reduce the scope of government. A. True B. False

A. TRUE

Which of the following interest groups would be most likely to lobby AGAINST a bill that would cap carbon emissions? A. The National Association of Manufacturers B. Greenpeace C. The American Political Science Association D. The National Audubon Society E. The National Geographic Society

A. The National Association of Manufacturers

That successful lobbying efforts by consumer groups benefits all consumers, and not just group members, is an example of A. a free-rider problem. B. interest group liberalism. C. electioneering. D. iron triangles. E. Olson's Law of Large Groups.

A. a free-rider problem.

Some interest groups fund locally based activities to give the impression of grassroots support for their cause; this practice is known as A. astroturf lobbying. B. patronage. C. issue advertising. D. bundling. E. smoke-and-mirrors politics.

A. astroturf lobbying.

The vast majority of the interest groups in the United States are formed around A. economic interests. B. environmental interests. C. public-safety interests. D. entertainment interests. E. foreign-policy interests

A. economic interests.

Single-issue groups A. include members with narrow, uncompromising interests. B. focus mainly on the issue of abortion. C. are not taken seriously because they lack a large constituency. D. have had little effect on the outcomes of elections. E. tend to focus on their specific economic interests rather than on collective social issues.

A. include members with narrow, uncompromising interests.

According to Robert Salisbury, the increase in lobbying activity has resulted in A. less clout overall for interest groups. B. government by minority interests. C. less democracy. D. elitist policymaking. E. greater clout for business and industry groups.

A. less clout overall for interest groups.

"Subgovernments" are also known as A. activist networks. B. iron triangles. C. cabals. D. lobbying firms. E. interest groups.

B. iron triangles.

Which of the following activities is LEGAL under current federal campaign-finance laws? A. An incumbent uses government funds to send out a campaign mailing two weeks prior to the election. B. A senate candidate makes a $5 million donation to his own campaign. C. A congressional candidate sends out an anonymous mailer attacking her opponent. D. A presidential candidate accepts a $1,000 donation from a person who is not a U.S. citizen. E. A political party accepts a "soft-money," or nonregulated, donation for election activities.

B. A senate candidate makes a $5 million donation to his own campaign.

According to James Madison, the best way to control factions is to restrict the sphere of influence in which groups seek power. A. True B. False

B. FALSE

Foreign governments and corporations are prohibited from lobbying members of Congress. A. True B. False

B. FALSE

Interest group liberalism is a theory which suggests that left-leaning, liberal interest groups are more likely to be heard by policymakers than are right-leaning, conservative interest groups. A. True B. False

B. FALSE

Interest groups cannot be successful unless they are broadly popular with the American people. A. True B. False

B. FALSE

Interest groups infrequently concern themselves with public opinion. A. True B. False

B. FALSE

It is illegal for corporations to run political advertisements supporting or opposing a congressional or presidential candidate. A. True B. False

B. FALSE

The National Organization for Women is an example of a consumer lobbying group. A. True B. False

B. FALSE

The free-rider problem is less serious when the actual group is seeking a collective good. A. True B. False

B. FALSE

The peak of the American labor movement occurred in the 1970s, when 33 percent of the nonagricultural work force belonged to a union. A. TruE B. FalsE

B. FALSE

The shift toward selecting candidates through primaries rather than by party conventions reduced the political influence of interest groups. A. True B. False

B. FALSE

Though technically violations of the law, you cannot be forced to serve time in jail for committing an act of civil disobedience. A. True B. False

B. FALSE

Which of the following is NOT a way that lobbyists are useful and helpful to members of Congress? A. Lobbyists can help politicians develop political strategies for passing legislation. B. Lobbyists provide access to a vast campaigning organization. C. Lobbyists are a source of innovation. D. Lobbyists can help politicians formulate campaign strategies. E. Lobbyists are an important source of information.

B. Lobbyists provide access to a vast campaigning organization.

Which of the following interest groups have traditionally given the vast majority of their campaign donations and political support to Democratic candidates? A. The Veterans of Foreign Wars B. The National Organization for Women C. The National Association of Manufacturers D. The Chamber of Commerce E. The National Rifle Association

B. The National Organization for Women

An organization of people with similar policy goals, entering the political process to try to achieve those aims, is called A. a collective. B. an interest group. C. a political action committee. D. a political corporation. E. a political party.

B. an interest group.

The National Organization for Women A. is no longer a formidable force for women's rights. B. currently works for the enactment of individual statutes (laws) to protect women's rights rather than a constitutional amendment. C. is a counter-interest group formed by Phyllis Schlafly to oppose the Women's Liberation Movement and the Equal Rights Amendment. D. was first formed in the nineteenth century to help women gain the right to vote. E. was primarily responsible for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.

B. currently works for the enactment of individual statutes (laws) to protect women's rights rather than a constitutional amendment.

The biggest obstacle to the effectiveness of large groups is the A. difficulty in finding intense issues for large groups of people. B. difficulty in providing substantial collective goods. C. government regulations on lobbying activities. D. difficulty of finding effective leadership. E. formation of counter-groups to oppose them.

B. difficulty in providing substantial collective goods.

Political Action Committees are primarily a means used by interest groups for A. political action. B. electioneering. C. litigation. D. policymaking. E. lobbying.

B. electioneering.

Selective benefits are A. form of illegal discrimination. B. goods that a group can restrict to those who pay their yearly dues. C. goods and services that are publicly owned. D. goods that are not very highly valued by group members. E. insurance policies that pay out only in certain situations.

B. goods that a group can restrict to those who pay their yearly dues.

A theory of government and politics suggesting that groups are so strong that government is weakened is A. pluralism. B. hyperpluralism. C. liberalism. D. republicanism. E. elitism.

B. hyperpluralism.

The most successful tactic that civil rights and environmental groups have used to influence policy is A. media advertising. B. litigation. C. protest demonstrations. D. electioneering. E. lobbying.

B. litigation.

Lobbyists provide members of Congress all of the following EXCEPT A. campaign strategy and organizational help. B. salaried jobs they can perform while remaining elected members of Congress. C. help with accomplishing their legislative goals. D. information. E. ideas and innovations.

B. salaried jobs they can perform while remaining elected members of Congress.

Why might it be difficult for you to get a lot of resident students to join a group that is fighting for better food in the student cafeteria, even if everyone agrees that the food is terrible? A. Pressure-group politics cannot have much influence in a college setting. B. The issue of cafeteria-food quality is not relevant to very many students. C. If you are successful, all students will benefit even if they did not help out. D. Compared with other groups in society, students do not have much free time. E. Young people don't have as much influence over politics as older people do.

C. If you are successful, all students will benefit even if they did not help out.

Which of the following statements is FALSE? A. The openness of the American political system encourages interest groups. B. Organizing to promote interests is an essential part of democracy. C. Just as turnout in elections has generally declined since 1960, so, too, has participation in interest groups declined. D. Though turnout in elections has generally declined since 1960, participation in interest groups has increased dramatically. E. The National Rifle Association (NRA) is an example of a prominent interest group.

C. Just as turnout in elections has generally declined since 1960, so, too, has participation in interest groups declined.

The Supreme Court is considering an appeal in a lawsuit that involves an issue of great importance to your interest group, but your group is not directly involved in the case. What would be the best way for your group to influence the court's decision? A. Hold a press conference to get your message out. B. Start a letter-writing campaign to put pressure on swing justices. C. Submit a "friend of the court" (amicus curiae) brief on the case to the court. D. Organize a "fly-in" to bring your members to Washington, D.C. E. Organize a protest outside of the Supreme Court.

C. Submit a "friend of the court" (amicus curiae) brief on the case to the court.

Recent legislation made the federal government—rather than private entities—the originator of all student loans made through the federal student-loan program. Which of the following groups was most likely to strongly oppose this legislation? A. Progressive Students for America B. The American Legion C. The Consumer Bankers Association D. The American Medical Association E. The American Federation of Government Employees

C. The Consumer Bankers Association

Which of the following is an example of a single-issue group? A. The American Medical Association B. National Council of State Legislatures C. The National Abortion Rights Action League D. The National Organization for Women E. The National Association of Manufacturers

C. The National Abortion Rights Action League

Which interest group was involved in bringing the lawsuit that led to the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1951)? A. The Rainbow Coalition B. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) C. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) D. The National Education Association (NEA) E. The National Rifle Association (NRA)

C. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

In addition to fighting segregation and discrimination, civil rights interest groups have also focused on A. the environment. B. international affairs. C. broader economic problems. D. housing quality. E. gender equality.

C. broader economic problems.

The free-rider problem refers to A. mass transit scofflaws who endanger government aid to subways, buses, and commuter trains by not being officially counted. B. legislators who face no election opponents, and thus are automatically reelected. C. potential members of a group failing to join the actual group, because they know they will receive the same benefits whether they are active members or not. D. unrelated amendments being added to a piece of legislation in order to bypass usual procedures. E. welfare fraud and the costs it imposes on government and taxpayers.

C. potential members of a group failing to join the actual group, because they know they will receive the same benefits whether they are active members or not.

Technological improvements in communications have caused interest groups to A. sharply decline in number. B. consolidate. C. sharply increase in number. D. form broad coalitions to expand their clout. E. move out of Washington, D.C.

C. sharply increase in number.

Interest group liberalism holds that A. when one interest group throws its weight around too often, its opponents are likely to intensify their organization and thus restore balance to the system. B. the fact that there are numerous interest groups proves nothing, because groups are extremely unequal in power. C. virtually all pressure-group demands are legitimate, and the job of government is to advance them all. D. the role of government is to leaven the natural inequalities of the free market system, which entails paying more attention to the needs of economically weak interest groups and less attention to economically powerful groups. E. interest groups win some and lose some, but no group wins or loses all the time.

C. virtually all pressure-group demands are legitimate, and the job of government is to advance them all.

Lobbying is A. a process by which candidates campaign for elective office. B. an illegal but widely practiced form of bribery. C. an activity by which powerful economic actors try to exert their influence by refusing to purchase the goods that they normally consume, from specific providers. D. a communication, by someone other than a citizen acting on his or her own behalf, directed to a governmental decision-maker with the hope of influencing that official's decision. E. a form of demonstrative activity involving marches and other large public gatherings.

D. a communication, by someone other than a citizen acting on his or her own behalf, directed to a governmental decision-maker with the hope of influencing that official's decision.

Why has the American Automobile Association (AAA) been so successful at attracting large numbers of Americans to join their group? A. AAA has the support of wealthy benefactors who help fund their organization. B. Some states require all licensed drivers to have a valid AAA membership. C. AAA's Political Action Committee is one of the wealthiest in the United States. D. AAA offers its members popular benefits such as roadside assistance and trip-planning services. E. AAA was one of the first interest groups to utilize new media techniques to expand their membership.

D. AAA offers its members popular benefits such as roadside assistance and trip-planning services.

Which of the following perspectives on the elite theory of groups is FALSE? A. Groups do not provide an effective check on elite power. B. Real power is held by relatively few groups. C. The power of the few is fortified by an extensive system of interlocking directorates. D. Groups provide an effective check on elite power. E. The real game of group politics is the one played by the corporate elites.

D. Groups provide an effective check on elite power

Interest group liberalism is associated with which of the following criticisms? A. The interest group system is dominated by liberal interest groups who have been successfully pushing an agenda that has made it hard for the police to fight crime, has contributed to declining moral values, and has bankrupted the government by instituting giveaways to welfare freeloaders. B. Real power is held by relatively few people, key groups, and institutions that get nearly all they want from government. C. The framers of the Constitution intended that groups serve to bargain for various interests in American society, and this has proven a wise and relatively fair, open system. D. In an effort to please and appease every interest, agencies proliferate, conflicting regulations expand, programs multiply, and budgets skyrocket. E. Interest groups win some and lose some, but no group wins or loses all the time, and democratic government is well served by their competition.

D. In an effort to please and appease every interest, agencies proliferate, conflicting regulations expand, programs multiply, and budgets skyrocket.

Which interest group was the driving force behind passage of the National Minimum Drinking Age Act, which penalized states that did not adopt a drinking age of 21 years old? A. The Fraternal Order of Police B. The American Temperance Society C. The National Education Association (NEA) D. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) E. The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

D. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)

James Madison A. was not worried about the potential dangers of interest groups and factions. B. believed American society would be best served by a relatively small number of powerful groups. C. wanted the Constitution to forbid the growth of groups and factions. D. favored a wide-open system in which many groups would be able to participate and counterbalance one another. E. believed that public interest groups were dangerous because the common man was not qualified to speak for the public interest.

D. favored a wide-open system in which many groups would be able to participate and counterbalance one another.

According to James Madison, the way to prevent any one group from having too much power is to A. widely publicize their activities. B. eliminate most groups. C. strictly regulate them. D. increase the scope and number of groups. E. make them unconstitutional.

D. increase the scope and number of groups.

One of the main differences between American political parties and interest groups is that A. interest groups concentrate on only one policy arena. B. interest groups are concerned with more issues. C. political parties are policy specialists. D. political parties run candidates for office. E. interest groups limit their membership.

D. political parties run candidates for office.

Ethics reforms which set limits on former government officials who become lobbyists are known as A. sunshine laws. B. soft-money rules. C. no-cup-of-coffee rules. D. revolving-door rules. E. lemon laws.

D. revolving-door rules.

A state law forbidding requirements that workers must join a union to hold their jobs is called a _________law. A. union shop B. selective benefit C. class action D. right-to-work E. electioneering

D. right-to-work

Since the 1960s, the number of interest groups has A. declined slightly. B. declined sharply. C. remained constant. D. risen rapidly. E. fluctuated up and down as new issues developed and others faded away.

D. risen rapidly.

The conflict between environmental groups and energy producers illustrates A. that when two groups clash, the wealthier group always has more influence. B. that recently formed interest groups are not as influential as those that have been around since the turn of the 20th century. C. that the public interest lacks power. D. that group politics intensify when two public interests clash. E. that group conflict produces policy stagnation.

D. that group politics intensify when two public interests clash

Pluralists argue that lobbying A. must be suspended until tighter regulations can be put into place to protect the public interest. B. by so many interest groups that get what they want indicates that the relationship between groups and government has grown too cozy. C. is dominated by wealthy corporations and the wealthiest individuals and is a danger to the democratic system. D. has no effect on policymaking. E. is open to all and is therefore not to be regarded as a problem.

E. is open to all and is therefore not to be regarded as a problem.

Which of the following is an example of a group engaging in civil disobedience? A. A labor union protests outside of a corporate headquarters. B. A pro-life group obtains a permit to protest outside of an abortion clinic. C. A radical group sets fire to a building to protest government policies. D. A neo-Nazi group rallies at a privately owned convention hall. E. A student group blocks entrance to the dean's office to protest a decision.

E. A student group blocks entrance to the dean's office to protest a decision.

Which of the following aspects of congressional politics helps ensure that no one group dominates congressional decisions? A. Political-party caucuses have the ability to remove committee chairs that don't follow the party line. B. The Vice President's role in the Senate is largely a ceremonial one. C. Members of Congress utilize national party committees to assist them with Washington fundraising. D. Party leadership is sometimes dominated by ideologically strong leaders in the party. E. In a district-based system of representation, members of Congress have differing constituencies.

E. In a district-based system of representation, members of Congress have differing constituencies.

Which of the following is NOT true of Political Action Committees? A. PACs contribute before and after elections. B. Some PACs contribute to both challenger and incumbent, playing it safe. C. There are far more PACs now than there were in 1974. D. Only a handful of candidates have completely resisted the lure of PAC money. E. Most PAC money goes to challengers rather than incumbents.

E. Most PAC money goes to challengers rather than incumbents

Which of the following theories offers the most positive interpretation of the effect of interest groups on American democracy? A. Hyperpluralist B. Hyperelitist C. Elite D. Free market E. Pluralist

E. Pluralist

Question 12. Which of the following characteristics of the American political system makes it easier for interest groups to block legislation that they oppose? A. The electoral process makes it easy for third parties to win enough seats to block legislation. B. Two-thirds of state legislatures can vote to prohibit Congress from voting on a piece of legislation. C. The Constitution gives the president the ability to prevent Congress from voting on a piece of legislation. D. The rules of the House of Representatives give a minority of members the power to block legislation. E. The various checks and balances in the system create lots of opportunities to block legislation.

E. The various checks and balances in the system create lots of opportunities to block legislation.

Political Action Committee (PAC) money goes overwhelmingly to A. challengers. B. Democrats. C. third party candidates. D. Republicans. E. incumbents.

E. incumbents.

A single-issue group is one that is all of the following EXCEPT A. single-minded in pursuing its goal. B. intensely committed to a policy goal. C. unwilling to compromise. D. focused on narrow interest. E. organizes on the national level only.

E. organizes on the national level only.

The idea that interest group activity brings representation to all is associated with A. republicanism. B. hyperpluralist theory. C. elite theory. D. democratic theory. E. pluralist theory.

E. pluralist theory.

A group with a narrow interest that dislikes compromise and single-mindedly pursues it own goal is a(n) A. political party. B. free-rider. C. iron triangle. D. subgovernment. E. single-issue group.

E. single-issue group.

A "collective good" refers to A. goods and services that are publicly owned. B. goods and services collected for the needy. C. a public policy that is in the public interest. D. benefits that accrue to the group that sought them. E. something of value that benefits both the actual and potential members of a group.

E. something of value that benefits both the actual and potential members of a group.

Political Action Committees (PACs) are campaign finance organizations that raise money for candidates. A. True B. False

FALSE TRUE

subgovts

a network of groups within the American political system which exercises a great deal of control over specific policy areas. Known as iron triangles.

union shop

a provision found in some collective bargaining agreements requiring all employees of a business to join the union within a short period of 30 days and to retain members as a condition of employment.

right to work law

a state law forbidding requirements that workers must join a union to hold their jobs. Permitted by the taft-hartley Act of 1947.

hyper pluralism

a theory of govt and politics contending that groups are so strong that govt is weakened. Hyperpluralism is an exaggerated, perverted form of pluralism.

elite theory

a theory of govt and politics contending that societies are created in a class line and that the upper class will rule.

pluralist theory

a theory of govt and politics emphasizing that politics is a mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies.

litigation

if an interest group fails in one area, the courts may be able to provide a remedy.

class action suits

law suits permitting a small group of people to sue on behalf of all other people similarly situated.

amicus curiae briefs

legal briefs submitted by a friend of the court for the purpose of raising additional points of view and presenting information not contained in the briefs of the formal parties. Influence court decisions.

collective good

something of value (money, a tax write off, prestige, clean air) that cannot be withheld from a group member.

Olson's law of large groups

the larger the group, the further it will fall short of providing an optimal amount of a collective good

actual group

the part of the potential group consisting of members who actually join.

free rider problem

the problem faced by unions and other groups when people do not join because they can benefit from the group's activities without officially joining. The bigger the group, the more serious the free rider problem is.