POLS Chap 10

Texas Law requires anyone attempting to influence policy to register as a lobbyist. True False

False

One of the main critiques of the pluralist perspective on governing is that monied interest groups are far better represented and advocated for than ordinary citizens. True False

True

Organization in an interest group is key to the success of the group. True False

True

Selective incentives are benefits that are given only to members of a particular group. True False

True

Student groups hold an advantage by their strength in numbers; they can provide volunteers which can be as important as funding. True False

True

Organized interests is another term for ______. support groups political parties interest groups election results

interest groups

Professional associations represent sports teams and their interests. True False

False

Which statement indicates a movement toward a hyperpluralism system in Texas? "Regulations on lobbyists have been effective in broadening organized interests." "More attention is paid to narrow interests, and work on citizens in general has decreased." "More dark money spending has allowed for an increase in broad interests." "Labor unions and corporations must still work with political parties to donate money."

"More attention is paid to narrow interests, and work on citizens in general has decreased."

If you were a critic of hyperpluralism in government, what argument would you make to justify your criticism? "There are too many narrow interests and few broad interests represented." "A democracy is only healthy if there are many narrow interests to choose from." "There are not enough organized interests working on narrow issues." "Democracies do not need to have the full participation of citizens to work."

"There are too many narrow interests and few broad interests represented."

Given that there are many narrowly focused interest groups, what might be a critique of this approach to government interaction with interest groups? A member of a narrow focus interest group is not effectively represented as a citizen. Broad topics do not get to the heart of issues that voters are concerned about. Working for a certain group of citizens is the best way to represent a population. Broad focus on issues leaves citizens underrepresented in other areas.

A member of a narrow focus interest group is not effectively represented as a citizen.

Which statement exemplifies disturbance theory? As society becomes diverse and complex, new interests make old interests mobilize to protect their status. As society begins to split, interests begin to lose and citizens must find new ways to gain attention. As society begins to change, protests become the norm as interests begin to clash. As society changes from conservative ideology to liberal ideology, interests become violent and lead to society disturbance.

As society becomes diverse and complex, new interests make old interests mobilize to protect their status.

What leads to a group having a free-rider problem? temporary benefits group prizes member benefits collective goods

Collective goods

Imagine that you direct a special interest group in Texas. In order for your group to be impactful in the state, what action should you seek to bring about? Legislators and other government officials must hold meetings to learn about the special interest. Constituents in support of the special interest must form a group and stay organized. Legislators must recognize the special interest and pass legislation in support of it. Voters must continue to petition the government to get the special interest made public.

Constituents in support of the special interest must form a group and stay organized.

What is a concern for the opponents of super PACs and dark money? One political party will gain an upper hand over the other political parties and monopolize policy. New candidates can become easily corrupted by organizations that are illegally working. Donors of these funds are not buying votes, but they are potentially buying politicians. Career politicians will be able to fundraise more money than new candidates and gain an advantage.

Donors of these funds are not buying votes, but they are potentially buying politicians.

Dark money refers to funding that is given illegally to a campaign by a nonprofit organization. True False

False

Due to a large supply of interested employees and small legislative workload, lawmakers in Texas rely more on their staff than lobbyists. True False

False

Independent political expenditures must be used in coordination with political candidates. True False

False

Opponents of the pluralist perspective argue that organized interests are too broadly construed and don't speak to the needs of specific populations or issues. True False

False

Which statement is an accurate description of lobbyists in Texas? Lobbyists are not very knowledgeable in how the legislature works. Often lobbyists are only tolerated by legislators because of the perks they receive. Few lobbyists are prepared for the long days that are required during the 140-day sessions. Many lobbyists are former legislators and knowledgeable on the policy they lobby for.

Many lobbyists are former legislators and knowledgeable on the policy they lobby for.

Which statement is demonstrative of the pluralist perspective? The less groups involved in politics the better because it leads to confusion. Voters are more interested in personal gain and do not want to be involved in a group. More groups involved in politics means a democracy is healthy. Groups benefit everyone because it shows unity in a cause.

More groups involved in politics means a democracy is healthy.

Which group is an organization of conservative Christians that has a large impact on Texas politics? National Rifle Association American Civil Liberties Union The Innocence Project Texas Restoration Project

Texas Restoration Project

Which group is considered a single-issue interest group? Texas Restoration Project Texas Right to Life Committee Texas Medical Association Texas Ranchers Association

Texas Right to Life Committee

Which action is an example of electioneering? Christians encourage each other to go out and support their preferred candidate by volunteering. Mothers Against Drunk Drivers hold a voting campaign to get young voters to register to vote. The National Rifle Association donates to the campaign of a progun rights candidate for governor. An electrician labor union stages a protest at a local polling station during an election for governor.

The National Rifle Association donates to the campaign of a progun rights candidate for governor.

Which development creates clear winners in the lobbying sector of Texas politics? The ability to effectively organize an interest group is key to being a winner. Narrow-focused interests create winners because everyone is represented. Broad interests are winners because they can represent more citizens. Organized interests are all winners if they can lobby in the legislature.

The ability to effectively organize an interest group is key to being a winner

Why are selective incentives sometimes considered dangerous by some observers of interest groups? The incentives cost more than some interest groups earn in memberships. The incentives can be poorly made in third-world countries where slave labor is used. The incentives attract members who may not fully support the interest group. The incentives put pressures on the industries that provide them.

The incentives attract members who may not fully support the interest group.

A common lobbyist recruitment pool includes the relatives of current legislators. True False

True

Expressive benefits are benefits members get by taking action to communicate their views. True False

True

Government attempts to address the free-rider problem by mandating citizens pay taxes and follow laws. True False

True

Governor Abbott's "Strike Force to Open Texas" during the Covid-19 pandemic was seen as favoring lobbyists and campaign contributors for membership on the team over those who had experience with pandemics or in the field of infectious disease. True False

True

One example of hyperpluralism includes the National Rifle Association's narrow focus on gun regulations representing a broad number of Texans regarding firearms but those same Texans might have little representation for other issues. True False

True

What issue could arise from advertisements paid for with super PAC and dark money? There will be no airtime for ads that are sponsored by political candidates. Voters may not be able to tell the difference between ads sponsored by a candidate or a group. The ads may offend the wrong people and candidates could get sued as a result. Voters will be overwhelmed by all of the political advertising before the election even starts.

Voters may not be able to tell the difference between ads sponsored by a candidate or a group.

What is considered lobbying under Texas law? a telephone call displaying billboards radio advertising contact by a third party

a telephone call

Which of the following are examples of organized interests using independent political expenditures? an interest group erecting a billboard using money donated from a candidate an interest group donating money to a candidate strictly for paying for TV advertisements an interest group making a public endorsement of a candidate that is approved by the candidate an interest group paying for ads that endorse a certain candidate using their own funds

an interest group paying for ads that endorse a certain candidate using their own funds

What is meant by the term program monitoring? church groups that keep track of which legislators vote on legislation regarding pro-life versus pro-choice interest groups that put efforts into watching large bureaucratic agencies and small boards that do the work of governing in the state interests groups that focus on only one issue and keep track of organizations that are involved in that issue labor unions keeping track of the legislative process to make sure they are not changing labor laws that harm their workers

interest groups that put efforts into watching large bureaucratic agencies and small boards that do the work of governing in the state

Which group is responsible for seeking better pay and working conditions? trade associations labor unions professional associations special interest groups

labor unions

What is meant by the term "grasstop lobbying?" lobbying close friends or constituents of the legislators lobbying members of only one party on issues they support lobbying only the legislators in key positions in the Senate lobbying done only through social media platforms

lobbying close friends or constituents of the legislators

Imagine that you oversee a political action committee. What responsibility should you take with your work? maintain donations that are given to organized interests to fund campaigns guarantee that politicians are representing their organized interest groups support former legislators seeking to become lobbyists for organized interests ensure that lobbyists are happy with the work of the PAC

maintain donations that are given to organized interests to fund campaigns

Which benefit is considered a selective incentive for members of an interest group? free tickets for all people who come to meetings members and nonmembers are registered in raffle insurance coverage for all citizens at discounted prices offers for discounted travel for members only

offers for discounted travel for members only

Which perspective argues that democracy is most effective when citizens participate in groups? hyperpluralism pluralist perspective hypopluralism singular perspective

pluralist perspective

If you were a Texas government official concerned with the influence of lobbyists, how might you attempt to limit lobbying in the state? prohibiting elected officials from accepting gifts and meals from lobbyists in the last week of a session prohibiting legislators from accepting campaign contributions for 30 days before a session prohibiting legislators from accepting campaign contributions at any point during campaign season prohibiting judges and legislators from meeting with lobbyists in the first week of a session

prohibiting legislators from accepting campaign contributions for 30 days before a session

What action should you take if you wanted to use a preexisting social network for political action? promote large church groups getting together to write letters to legislators about family issues meet for coffee with friends to discuss local political candidates encourage students getting together to host debates about issues facing their school create a group of people to post political add on a new social media group

promote large church groups getting together to write letters to legislators about family issues

What term is used to describe when members of the legislature or executive branches move from government to lobbying firms? glass ceiling lobbying cycle reverse policy revolving door

revolving door

Which action is considered a type of intergovernmental lobbying? city road workers unions lobbying the legislature for more funds for road work school districts lobbying the legislature for better equipment voters lobbying the legislature for better support at work lawyers lobbying the legislature for stricter drunk driving laws

school districts lobbying the legislature for better equipment

Astroturf lobbying refers to lobbying efforts that ______ in an attempt to influence legislators. use corporate lobbying techniques to advance the causes of grassroots groups simulate grassroots lobbying efforts but are usually directed by specialized lobbying firms employ technology-friendly strategies that are often cutting edge are focused primarily in the Houston area and involve professional sports

simulate grassroots lobbying efforts but are usually directed by specialized lobbying firms

What are the solidarity benefits that emerge when someone joins an interest group? individual prizes given to long-term members who have helped the cause social interaction with likeminded people for a common cause social connections that will give individuals professional and career benefits individual prizes given to new members who show promise in helping further the group

social interaction with likeminded people for a common cause

Solidarity benefits are ______ that individuals enjoy from joining a group and working toward a common goal or cause. union perks social interactions group entrance dues status improvements

social interactions

What does it mean when an interest group does grassroots lobbying? using personal funds to pay for local advertising using local student groups to run a phone bank using group members to write to legislators on policy using smear campaigns to stop legislation from passing

using group members to write to legislators on policy

What is one of the ways interest groups can assist candidates without donating money? volunteering time to help candidates protesting at events held by other candidates campaigning against other candidates providing legal counsel to candidates

volunteering time to help candidates