POLS CH 6
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission
A 2010 landmark Supreme Court case that ruled that individuals, corporations, and unions could donate unlimited amounts of money to groups that make independent political expenditures.
collective action
An action taken by a group of like-minded individuals to achieve a common goal. for provision of public goods
Lobbying
Engaging in activities aimed at influencing public officials, especially legislators, and the policies they enact. on behalf of group
selective benefits
Goods (such as information publications, travel discounts, and group insurance rates) that a group can restrict to those who pay their annual dues.
"hard" money vs. "soft" money
Hard: campaign contributons made directly to candidates and REGULATED by law Soft: campaign contributions given to political parties rather than directly to canidates NOT REGULATED
amicus curiae brief
Literally, a "friend of the court" brief, filed by an individual or organization (interest group) to present arguments in addition to those presented by the immediate parties to a case.
group entrepreneur
Someone who invests resources (such as time, money, and organizational skill) to create and build an organization that offers various types of benefits (material, solidary, and purposive) to entice others to join the group.
527 groups
Tax-exempt organizations that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to influence elections. They can engage in voter mobilization and issue advocacy, but they cannot expressly advocate the election or defeat of a federal candidate.
501(c) groups
Tax-exempt organizations that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to promote "social welfare." They may advocate for or against candidates, but political activities cannot become their primary purpose. They can keep their donors and names of members secret.
exchange theory
The theory that interest groups form as a result of a deal-an exchange-between a group entrepreneur and an unorganized interest that may be underrepresented or not represented at all.
Federal Election Campaign Act
a 1971 act that allowed unions and corporations to form political action committees to raise and contribute campaign funds to candidates
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act
a law that limits hard-money contributions during each election cycle to $2,000 from individuals and $5,000 from PACs
Super PACs
a type of independent political action committee which may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, and individuals but is not permitted to contribute to or coordinate directly with parties or candidates.
direct lobbying
direct contact with by lobbyst with government officials in a effort to influence policy
Logrolling
exchange of support on issues between groups or individuals in order to gain mutual advantage
single-issue groups
groups that have a narrow interest on which their members tend to take an uncompromising stance
Rational
maximize benefits and minimize cost
Political Action Committee (PAC)
organizations set up by interest groups especially to collect money to make political contributions on behalf of group
free rider problem
the problem faced by interest groups when citizens can reap the benefits of interest group action without actually joining, participating in, or contributing money to such groups.
indirect lobbying
the use of intermediaries by lobbyists to speak to government officials, with the intent to influence policy