Mixer 4 Study Guide

AARP has approximately _______________ members today.

38 million

Which of the following is a theoretical assumption of pluralism?

Competition among interests will produce balance, with all interests regulating each other.

One way that AARP has been effective at overcoming the free-rider problem is by providing _______________benefits to its members.

Selective

How do interest groups use litigation as a strategy of influence?

They file AMICI CURIAE briefs, finance LAWSUITS, and bring a suit on behalf of the group.

Many interest groups are initially organized because

a political entrepreneur with a strong commitment to a particular set of goals believes a group will promote his or her goals and enhance his or her political influence.

The best description of the ideal of pluralism is that

interest groups should be free to compete for governmental influence.

Interest groups are permitted to spend as much money as they want on issue advocacy during a campaign season, as long as they

do not coordinate their efforts with a candidate's own campaign organization.

Since the 1930s, the number and scale of interest groups at the national level has

dramatically increased.

Organized interest groups enhance American democracy by

representing the interests of large numbers of people and encouraging political participation

What are the primary variables for predicting the likelihood of joining an interest group?

having a higher INCOME and EDUCATION

The free-rider phenomenon is more problematic as the size of a group becomes becomes

increasingly problematic in very large groups

What is the most important and beneficial resource that lobbyists provide government officials?

information

A benefit that is sought by an interest group and that once achieved cannot be denied to nonmembers is called

Free Rider

If a person enjoys the benefits of a group's collective efforts but does not contribute to those efforts, he or she is called a

Free rider

The solidary benefits of interest groups include

Friendship and consciousness-raising

Lobbying is an attempt by an individual or group to influence the passage of __________ by exerting________ pressure on Members of Congress

legistlation ;direct

The free-rider problem occurs because

the benefits of a group's actions are broadly available and cannot be denied to nonmembers.

The practice of lobbying is protected by

the first amendment

It is difficult for political scientists to categorize unrepresented interests because

there are no organizations that can present their identities and demands.

Public interest groups differ from other types of interest groups in that

they claim to serve the common good, not just their own particular interests.