Fed Gov Chapter 9: Interest Groups

A simple way to describe citizens' groups is that they are groups

anyone can join

Which of the following best describes why many interest groups form political action committees (PACs)?

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

The interest-group system in the U.S. overrepresents

business interests.

Which of the following is a way in which special interest groups can give money to candidates?

by forming a political action committee (PAC)

The type of interest group that addresses issues of concern to the general public and not just the group's members is called a(n) ________ interest group

citizens

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

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

collective

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

consumer

Super PACs are legally forbidden from which of the following?

giving money directly to political parties giving money directly to candidates

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

information that supports the group's policy positions.

Interest groups rely on what two main lobbying strategies?

inside lobbing outside lobbying

An organization that seeks to influence government decision making is referred to as a(n)

interest group

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

interest groups executive agencies congressional committees

What was Madison's constitutional solution to the problem of factions?

the system of checks and balances

How are issue networks formed?

they are the result of the fact that individuals have interests and expertise in particular policy issues despite disagreeing on the outcome

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 private goods?

retirement plans jobs

Most citizens' groups are ______ interest groups because they focus on a specific issue, such as the environment.

single issue

Compared to iron triangles, the relationship between actors in an issue network tend to be more

temporary

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

the American Farm Bureau

Which one of these groups is an example of a citizens' group?

the National Organization for Women

An important feature of private goods is that

the group can withhold a benefit.

What portion of all lobbying groups in Washington are business related?

two-thirds

Among economic groups, which type are the most numerous?

business groups

There are roughly ______ registered lobbyists who work in Washington.

12,000

The effort of the writers of the Constitution to devise a governing system that would guard against tyranny of the majority resulted in which consequence?

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

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, which interest group spends the most money each year lobbying members of government?

Chamber of Commerce

Labor group political action committees typically favor contributing to which of the following groups?

Democrats

True or false: Both pluralists and their critics agree that interest groups have little influence over the government.

False

How have advances in technology affected the free-rider problem?

It has lessened it.

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

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

Which of the southern states has fewer than 400 registered lobbyists?

South Carolina

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

Texas New York California

How do interest groups expand the range of issues that come to lawmakers' attention?

They focus on issues that may be controversial. They focus on issues that may not have broad impact.

True or false: According to political scientist Mancur Olson, interest groups with smaller memberships usually prevail because they are able to join together and pool resources.

True

Which of the following are among interest groups' judicial lobbying options?

lawsuits influencing the selection of federal judges filing amicus curiae briefs

______ refers broadly to efforts by groups to influence public policy through contact with public officials.

lobbying

Compared with the percentage of United States workers who were union members in the 1950s and 1960s, the percentage today is

lower

Jobs, higher wages, and tax incentives are all examples of ______ incentives to joining interest groups.

material

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

money skills contacts

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

outside

_______ lobbying includes forming PACs and influencing the news media.

outside

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

private

Interest group influence is particularly strong among ______ agencies that are responsible for overseeing the nation's business sectors.

regulatory

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

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

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

the limit on corporate and union spending in federal elections

Which of the following are the chief targets of interest groups when they 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