Interest groups
When the American Association for Retired Person's (AARP) produces its Guide to Internet Resources on Aging it is supporting which function of an interest group? A. Member benefits B. Education C. Representation D. Lobbying E. Electioneering
B
Which of the following situations represents a legislative victory for a special interest group? I. the NRA's repeal of the assault weapon ban II. MADD's successful lobbying for a national drinking age III. The Veterans of Foreign Wars' successful fight for the Americans with Disabilities Act IV. The NAACP successfully lobbying for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 A. I only B. II only C. II, III, and IV only D. I, II, III, and IV only E. I and IV only
C
Which of the following statements is true about political action committees (PACs)? A. PACs have been an important part of American politics since the Great Depression B. PACs gain influence over certain candidates by heavily subsidizing their campaigns C. The number of PACs has grown dramatically between 1973 and the present D. Formation of PACs is restricted to business and labor groups E. The number of ideological PACs has increased much more slowly than the number of business or labor PACs.
C
Which one of the following statements about lobbyists is not true? A. Lobbyists are often former government officials. B. Lobbyists must register with the House of Representatives and the Senate. C. Lobbyists cannot represent foreign countries. D. Many interest groups have their own lobbyists on staff. E. Strong interpersonal skills are important to a lobbyist's success
C
A former under secretary in the Department of Energy becomes a consultant for the American Petroleum Institute (API) and testifies before Congress on the regulation of offshore oil drilling. This is an example of: A. An iron triangle B. Influence peddling C. An issue network D. The revolving door E. Effective lobbying
D
A special interest group would probably have the greatest success dealing with a legislator regarding public policy issues that: A. Were favored by the public as reflected by polls B. The president also supported C. Were controversial in nature D. The legislator needed specific information about, which the group could provide E. Had previously been voted on by congress but defeated
D
Electioneering is an important tool of interest groups because: A. Electioneering is more effective than lobbying in gaining support from legislators. B. Political Action Committees do not always achieve their goals. C. Electioneering projects a good public relations image for interest groups. D. Working to elect sympathetic candidates can help ensure support for a group's views in future legislation. E. Incumbents usually win reelection.
D
In which of the following ways do political parties differ from interest groups and PACs? A. Parties influence government primarily through the electoral process; interest groups and PACs do not B. Parties generate and support a limited number of policies; interest groups and PACs support a broad spectrum of policies C. Only parties and interest groups attempt to influence the political system D. Parties run their own slate of candidates for public office; while interest groups and PACs support but don't actually run candidates E. Interest groups and PACs concentrate on influencing the political system; parties are interested in influencing other areas of life as well
D
Lobbyists must file reports of their activities, including information about their clients with: A. The Federal Election Commission B. The Justice Department C. The Securities and Exchange Commission D. The House of Representatives and the Senate E. The Office of Management and Budget
D
Political Action Committees (PACs) most often support: A. Controversial issues B. Federal judges C. Organized Labor D. Officeholders seeking reelection E. Corporate clients
D
The major impact of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1974 was that it: A. Eliminated lobbyist gifts and vacations for legislators B. Set strict contribution limitations for congressional campaigns C. Created matching funds for congressional campaigns D. Legitimized and increased the number of interest groups E. Created strict registration procedures for lobbyists
D
Which of the following is the least frequently practiced technique of an interest group? A. Lobbying and individual member of Congress B. Providing information to legislators and bureaucrats C. Participating in sub-committee hearings D. Conducting political protests designed to catch the attention of the media E. Sending mailings seeking support
D
Which of the following statements represents the main function of special interest groups? They: A. Eventually want to end up as political office holders B. Nominate candidates for political office C. Have the primary function of funding political campaigns D. Want to influence officeholders and achieve legislative goals E. Attempt to recruit an elite membership in order to become influential
D
All of the following are examples of economic interest groups except: A. American Farm Bureau (AFB) B. Consumer Union of the United States (CUUSA) C. Service Employees International Union (SEIU) D. American Bankers Association (ABA) E. American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
E
All of the following statements concerning interest groups are true except that they: A. are policy experts B. attempt to appeal to a broad spectrum of political interests C. Often run their own candidates for public office D. Lobby different levels of government E. Have specific policy goals
C
All the following arguments are essential to the special interest theory of politics except: A. interest groups compete with each other B. interest groups provide linkage between people and government C. One or two interest groups may dominate the debate over legislation D. interest groups encourage membership from diverse groups that may disagree with their goals E. interest groups have been protected by Supreme Court decisions
D
A lobbyist of the National Rifle Association (NRA) is most likely to get the support of: A. A Republican who voted for gun control B. An incumbent facing a difficult reelection C. A liberal Democrat D. A newly elected Senator E. A conservative Republican
E
A significant amount of PAC money most likely goes to: A. Candidates challenging Republican seats B. Candidates challenging Democratic seats C. Candidates who are new to the political scene D. Candidates who have wide philosophical differences with the PAC E. Candidates who hold incumbent status
E
Political action Committees are sometimes criticized for: A. Limiting themselves to being only grassroots organizations B. Being dominated by foreign interests C. Never supporting incumbent candidates D. Encouraging strict campaign finance regulations E. Making politicians dependent on their financial support
E
Which group(s) is most heavily represented by PACs? A. corporations and businesses B. labor unions C. public interest groups D. equality and justice groups E. Government-related groups
A
Which of the following groups nominates candidates for public office? I. Political parties II. Interest groups III. Political Action Committees IV. Lobbyists A. I only B. I, II, and IV only C. I, II, and III only D. II and IV only E. II only
A
The table above supports all of the following conclusions except: A. Corporate PACs raise considerably more money than unions. B. PACs gave most money to incumbents C. Corporate PACs supported Republican candidates by a wide margin. D. Unions overwhelmingly backed Democrats running for the Senate. E. Unions spent just under a million dollars more on Democratic Senate races than corporations.
B
Which of the following best describes the role if interest groups in American politics today? A. Interest groups exist for some groups, but most citizens aren't represented by them. B. The number of interest groups has proliferated in recent years, so that today a group seems to exist for everyone. C. Interest groups don't represent as many people as they used to because public criticism has forced interest groups to disappear. D. The influence of interest groups is more widespread than before, since many have moved away from Washington. E. The most prestigious professions and occupations are represented by interest groups, but the less prestigious ones are not.
B
Which of the following statements represents a potential conflict of interest? Lobbyists: A. Work closely with the interest groups that hired them B. Are former government officials who have close ties with current legislators C. Are persistent in making sure that the results they get do not change before a vote D. Know as much and sometimes even more than legislators about pending legislation E. Attempt to convince senators and representatives that if they support their position they will receive the support of their constituency
B
Which person would most likely be paid a high salary to lobby for a defense contractor? A. An unemployed factory worker who needs part-time work while he goes back to school B. An ex-government official who had a high position in the defense department C. An anti-war protester who has often lobbied in Washington D. An enlisted soldier stationed near Washington, D.C. E. A high-level official in the current administration.
B
All the following are techniques used by lobbyists except: A. Testifying at congressional hearings B. Providing officials with research information C. Appearing on the floor of Congress as staff assistants to senators and representatives D. Taking senators and representatives to conferences sponsored by a special interest group E. Giving senators and representatives feedback from their constituents
C
Common Cause and the League of Women Voters are examples of: A. Informal interest groups B. Single issue groups C. Public interest groups D. Ideological interest groups E. Professional groups
C
Lobbyists try to influence public policy by all of the following except: A. Mobilizing grassroots support B. Testifying before congressional committees C. Meeting with federal district judges D. Speaking with heads of federal agencies E. Providing research data to government officials.
C
Which conclusion is not supported by the above graph? A. Contributions from PACs to congressional candidates have increased over the years. B. Candidates for House seats receive considerably more money than those running for the Senate. C. Contributions for the Senate are lower in non-presidential election years. D. In both houses, incumbents receive more money than challengers. E. Since 1987-1988, the amount of money received by incumbent senators has remained relatively stable.
C
All of the following are legitimate functions of registered lobbyists except: A. Testifying at public hearings B. Providing members of Congress with statistical data C. Preparing reports D. Presenting media spots E. Nominating candidates for political office
E
All of the following are linkage institutions in the United States except: A. Political parties B. Elections C. The media D. Interest groups E. Congress
E
The Free Rider problem refers to: A. Candidates for office who face no primary opposition B. A candidate with great personal wealth who does not need PAC money C. Members of Congress who take gifts from lobbyists D. Non-germane amendments added to a bill
E
Which of the following are differences between interest groups and political parties? I. Political parties nominate candidates to run for elective office, interest groups do not. II. Political parties focus on a broader range of issues than do interest groups III. Political parties compete to control the legislative branch of government by gaining more seats that the other party interest groups do not A. I only B. I and II only C. II only D. II and III only E. I, II, and III
E
Which of the following best describes the influence of public interest groups? A. They were very influential during the 1970s, but have lost their influence today. B. They have always been important in this century, but never as important as business groups. C. Their influence is limited because most people think they are fanatical. D. They are the most influential type of group in Washington today. E. They have been an important influence on policy making in Washington since the 1970s.
E
Which of the following represents a major reason for the proliferation of special interests and lobby groups? A. the reactive nature of interest groups and lobbyists to new issues B. the increase in donations received by interest groups from their membership C. The trust citizens have in the legislative process D. The ability of lobbyists and special interest groups to get members from their group to run for political office E. the increasing demand for campaign reform
A
Interest groups participate in electoral politics by: I. Endorsing candidates II. Urging members to vote for a candidate III. Running candidates for office IV. Lobbying Congress for various pieces of legislation A. I only B. I and II only C. I, II, and IV only D. I, II, and III only E. I, II, III, and IV
B
Special interest groups do all of the following except: A. testify at congressional hearings B. donate money to federal judges C. endorse candidates for political office D. Try to influence the media E. work on the campaigns of candidates
B
The primary function of a lobbyist is to: A. Find political candidates for special interest groups B. Provide information to members of Congress that is favorable to a position taken by a special interest group C. Poll the public to help determine a position that a special interest group should take D. Raise money for political action committees E. Increase the awareness of special interest groups to the electorate
B
The principal function of an interest group is to: A. Provide campaign money to candidates for public office who favor its programs B. Draw media attention to its cause C. Obtain favorable policies from government for the cause it supports D. Win congressional seats for its members E. Accomplish all of the above
C
The revolving door refers to the practice of: A. State legislation mirroring national legislation B. Welfare recipients going off benefits when they find employment but returning when their jobs end. C. Interest groups hiring ex-government officials to work as lobbyists in Washington D. Applying the budget surplus to the deficit only to find that the national debt has increased E. Shifting expenses from the national budget items to the states
C
What is the main difference between political parties and interest groups? A. Interest groups are not concerned with the electoral process. B. Interest groups have more members than political parties. C. Interest groups are concerned with a limited range of issues. D. Only dues paying members of an interest group benefit from its activities. E. Political parties do not rely on their members for financial support.
C
Which of the following is an example of an interest group employing an outsider strategy? I. Meeting privately with public officials to persuade them to vote on behalf of the groups interests. II. Testifying at Congressional hearings about proposed legislation. III. Providing members of Congress or bureaucratic agencies with drafts of proposed legislation or changes in administrative rules. IV. Taking out advertisements in a national publication in support of a specific position. A. I and II only B. II and III only C. I, II, and III only D. II, III, and IV only E. IV only
E
Which of the following is most probably a single issue group? A. Association of State, County, and Municipal Employees (ASCME) B. American Medical Association (AMA) C. American Bar Association (ABA) D. United Auto Workers (UAW) E. National Rifle Association (NRA)
E
When a political action committee (PAC) makes a contribution to an elected official, the expectation is: A. The elected official will vote the way the interest group wants. B. The interest group will have access to the elected official. C. The elected official will provide jobs for members of the interest group. D. The elected official will make sure the interest group is not audited by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). E. The elected official will kick back a portion of the contribution to the lobbyists.
B
Which of the following Political Action Committees (PACs) most probably donated more heavily to Democrats than Republicans? A. National Rifle Association (NRA) B. American Medical Association (AMA) C. United Auto Workers (UAW) D. National Association of Retailers (NAR) E. Americans for Tax Reform (ATR)
C
All of the following are functions of interest groups except: A. Interest groups may increase public awareness of an issue and mobilize people to action. B. Interest groups often provide members of Congress with information or statistics on public issues. C. Interest groups may serve as watchdogs to the legislative and executive branches, altering the public to actions they disagree with. D. Interest groups often widen the number and types of candidates who enter primary elections. E. Interest groups give people with similar ideas and cause a louder, more organized, voice in government
D
An interest group is most likely to have influence in Congress when the issue at stake: A. Is part of the president's legislative package. B. Has been dramatized by the media C. Engages legislators' deeply held convictions D. Is narrow in scope and low in public visibility. E. Divides legislators along party lines.
D
What kind of political action committee would most likely support Democratic candidates? A. Tobacco corporations B. Labor Unions C. Gun advocacy groups D. Business corporations E. The Chamber of Commerce
B
Which of the following PACs most probably donated more heavily to Democrats than to Republicans? A. National Rifle Association (NRA) B. American Medical Association (AMA) C. United Auto Workers (UAW) D. National Association of Retailers (NAR) E. American for Tax Reform (ATR)
C
The people attracted to interest groups are most likely: A. College-educated B. Social Conservatives C. Committed independent voters D. Liberal activists E. Racial or ethnic minorities
A
An interest group is most likely to have influence in Congress with which of the following situations? A. an issue that is narrow in scope and low in public visibility B. an issue that is part of the president's legislative package C. an issue that has been highly dramatized by the media D. An issue that engages legislators' deeply held convictions E. an issue that divides legislators along party lines
A
An interest group would most likely be able to influence policy: A. Where the issues require expert knowledge. B. When it is one of a large number of groups involved in lobbying. C. When the interest group uses an "outside strategy". D. When issues involved revolve around broad national or foreign policy. E. When the subcommittee chair is sympathetic to the interest group's cause.
A
The graph above indicates that: A. Overall, the number of Political Action Committees (PACs) has declined in recent years. B. Groups that do not represent economic interests have the smallest number of PACs. C. Labor PACs contributed the most money to congressional campaigns D. All American corporations that have stock have a PAC. E. The most dramatic growth was in cooperative PACs.
A
The major difference between interest groups and political parties is that: A. Interest groups want to influence specific policies whereas political parties want to control government. B. Interest groups lobby government officials whereas members of political parties are elected or appointed officials. C. Interest groups raise money to donate to political parties D. Interest groups have no allegiance to the general public whereas political parties have allegiance at least to their constituents. E. Interest groups work behind the scenes whereas political parties are open to anyone.
A
The major difference between interest groups and political parties is that: A. Interest groups want to influence specific policies whereas political parties want to control government. B. Interest groups lobby government officials whereas members of political parties are elected or appointed officials C. Interest groups raise money to donate to political parties. D. Interest groups have no allegiance to the general public whereas political parties have allegiance at least to their constituents. E. Interest groups work behind the scenes whereas political parties are open to anyone.
A
Which of the following is an institutional interest group? A. the National Association of Counties B. the NAACP C. the National Organization for Women D. the AFL-CIO E. the Sierra Club
A
Which of the following officials do lobbyists most succeed with? A. Officials who have a basic philosophical affinity with the lobbyist B. Officials who have a basic philosophical difference with the lobbyist C. Officials who are neutral with the lobbyist's position D. Officials who have strong convictions E. Officials who are very conservative
A
Which of the following statements about interest groups is valid? A. Interest groups only try to influence policymaking at the federal level. B. Interest groups are only representing individuals. C. In almost all cases, the potential membership of an interest group is greater than its actual membership. D. Interest groups get all of their funding from membership dues. E. Interest groups are most effective when they deal with multiple issues.
C
In order to contribute to the campaign of a presidential candidate, an interest group: A. Can make the donation directly to the candidate. B. Must earmark money for voter education C. Can only give the money to the national party D. Must create a political action committee (PAC) to raise and distribute money E. Must approve ads bought with its money
D
In which way are interest groups most likely to influence decisions of the Supreme Court? A. By controlling the decisions that reach the court B. By calling the Court's attention to legislation they dislike C. By encouraging the Court to police actions taken by agencies in the executive branch D. By filing Amicus Curaie briefs supporting one side of a case that the Court is deciding E. By seeking that recent law school graduates that support their causes be hired as clerks of the court
D
Political Action Committees (PACs): A. Have roots that originated in the nineteenth century B. Have declined in popularity in recent years C. May contribute up to $1,000 a year to a political candidate D. May accept contributions of up to $5,000 from individuals E. Make unlimited contributions to political candidates
D
Political Action Committees most often support: A. Controversial Issues B. Federal Judges C. Organized Labor D. Officeholders seeking reelection E. Corporate Clients
D
Which of the following best describes the influence of labor unions on political policy making? A. Unions have never had much influence on the decisions of the national government. B. Unions have always been and remain today the most important single influence on policies of the U.S. government. C. Unions are more powerful today than they have been in the past because they are better organized. D. Union membership has declined over the past 25 years, and they probably aren't as influential as they once were. E. The influence of unions has remained fairly constant over the past few years; they are only moderately influential.
D
Which of the following statements about interest groups are accurate? I. Interest group activities, to influence public policy-making at the national level, are aimed almost entirely at Congress II. The influence of labor unions on public policy-making has declined since 1945 III. Business organizations are the most numerous and powerful interest groups in America A. I only B. II only C. III only D. I and II only E. II and III only
E
Which of the following techniques would a lobbyist be likely to use to influence legislation in Congress? I. Organize a demonstration in Washington just before a key House vote II. Ensure that the corporation's political action committee makes donations to the campaigns of members of key committees III. Meet informally with Senate aides over lunch or cocktails IV. Bring influential constituents to Washington to discuss important policy matters with their Representatives A. I only B. II only C. II, II, and IV only D. I, II, and III only E. I, II, III, and IV
E
Which of the following would most likely be accused of influence peddling through the "revolving door?" A. A Congressperson who retires to take a position teaching political science at a university B. A former president who advises the current president on a particular foreign policy issue C. A voter who researches the positions of all candidates in a race before choosing whom to support D. A judge who consistently hands down the maximum sentence to convicted felons E. An official who leaves the State Department in order to work as a paid consultant to foreign governments
E
Which statement about lobbying and lobbyists is not true? A. Lobbyists frequently provide needed information to public officials. B. Lobbyists sometimes invite legislators to social occasions such as cocktail parties C. Lobbyists sometimes write or help write pieces of legislation. D. Lobbyists can exert influence when they testify before executive rule making agencies E. Lobbyists may provide gifts and trips for legislators
E