Chapter 6: Interest Groups and Lobbying

Which of the following descriptions of interest groups are accurate?

-Groups provide valuable research and education to policy makers and the public on specific issues. -Business interests often have more influence than other interests. -Groups that represent a narrow set of interests are often more successful than those that represent broad interests.

Select which individuals below may become lobbyists for interest groups through the "revolving door" without restrictions.

-former senior legislative staffers -former legislators -former executive branch officials

The power of ____ means that groups are more likely to contribute to candidates or parties that are already in office even if a ____ may have views closer to their own positions.

-incumbency advantage -challenger

The small staffs and limited office funds of most legislators often lead them to rely on ____ to provide ____ of legislation that legislators can tweak to make their own.

-interest groups -first drafts

What is the usefulness of "late-train" contributions?

-to help retire campaign debt of winning candidates -to build a relationship with a winning candidate after the election

"Dark money," or political money where the donors of the money do not have to be disclosed, originated in which U.S. Supreme Court case?

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

Texas is near the top of the nation in measures of social connectedness that lead to civic engagement.

False Many factors, including age, poverty, lower education rates, higher incarceration rates, and a high population of immigrants, contribute to Texas's low rates of civic engagement.

Influential political scientist E. E. Schattschneider once stated, "The flaw with the pluralist heaven is that the heavenly chorus sings with a strong upper-class accent." Which of the following best expresses what he meant by this?

Interest groups represent issues important to higher socioeconomic groups

Which of the following is a primary criticism of the practice known as the "revolving door"?

Officials take actions to improve their chances of lucrative lobbying futures.

What is the primary goal of interest groups when they interact with policy makers?

Policies that are beneficial for their groups

League of United Latin American Citizens

civil rights group

Because of their significant influence in Texas, particularly in the primary elections, Republican candidates must pay close attention to the issues that are important to which subset of voters?

evangelical Christians

What is the single biggest benefit of interest groups to policy makers?

information

The Texas Association of Business is an example of a(n) _______________________ because it acts as an umbrella organization that coordinates many of the activities of its various business members in specific areas.

peak association

A(n) _________ is an entity, usually created by groups, to raise and distribute funds to preferred candidates during campaigns.

political action committee

Texas Medical Association

professional group

Sierra Club

public interest group

Association of Texas Professional Educators

public-employee interest group