Topic 3 Interest Groups: Organizing for Influence

Interest groups rely on what two main lobbying strategies? (Choose every correct answer.)

inside lobbying outside lobbying

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

lawsuits filing amicus curiae briefs influencing the selection of federal judges

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

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

Modern lobbyists primarily concentrate on providing lawmakers with ______.

arguments and evidence for their position

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

by forming a political action committee (PAC)

The incentives that most noneconomic groups offer include ______.

collective goods

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

consumer

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

contacts skills money

Interest groups that are not directly involved in litigation may file amicus curiae briefs to ______.

encourage a ruling that is beneficial to their cause

Super PACs are legally forbidden from which of the following?

giving money directly to political parties giving money directly to candidates

Who typically benefits the most from PAC campaign donations?

incumbents

A(n) __ is an organization that seeks to influence government decision making. It is also known by the names faction, special interest, or organized interest.

interest group

Which type of interest group represents business firms of a particular kind, such as insurance companies?

trade association

True or false: Those interest groups that are poorly organized run the risk of being ignored politically.

true

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

collective

A person known as a(n) _____ rider derives a benefit without contributing to its achievement.

free

Which of the following represents a shared view of pluralists and their critics?

Interest groups are important to bringing the concerns of groups of individuals to the attention of government.

Which of the following is a benefit to the public that results from the promotion of a special interest?

It can have a positive effect on other interests, such as through job creation.

Capture theory argues that ______ sometimes focus more on the needs of industries than on the public interest.

regulatory agencies

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

south carolina

Compared to iron triangles, the relationship between actors in an issue network tends to be more ______.

temporary

In an iron triangle, ______ provide campaign contributions to ______ in order to gain their support for a particular policy proposal.

groups; members of Congress

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

information that supports the group's policy positions

A(n) __ __ is comprised of various actors that all have interest and expertise in a particular policy issue, even though they may disagree on what the outcome should be.

issue network

Which of the following are private goods? (Choose every correct answer.)

jobs retirement plans

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

Among economic groups, which type are the most numerous?

business groups

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 to deal with the problem of free riders?

citizens' groups

The interest-group system in the United States overrepresents ______.

business interests

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.

What are the advantages enjoyed by a large interest group such as the AARP?

It has a large staff that lobbies the federal government. It can generate a large amount of mail to members of Congress. It is well-financed, even though individual members' dues are low

Which political leader wrote that the government must dilute the influence of factions and interest groups by filtering their views through properly structured governing institutions?

James Madison

______ incentives for joining an interest group include the satisfaction that you are participating in a worthy effort.

Purposive

True or false: Retired lawmakers cannot become lobbyists because they are forbidden by law to take a lobbying job.

false Reason: Former lawmakers can become lobbyists after a set period of time and are well suited to lobbying because of their knowledge of the political process.

True or false: An enormous group such as the taxpayers of the United States can exert a major influence on public policy.

false Reason: It is easier to get a small group together to focus on a policy goal than a group consisting of millions of members, such as taxpayers.

Iron triangles work to the mutual benefit of the three members of the triangle. Match each iron triangle member to what it gets from the relationship.

members of Congress = electoral support interest group = beneficial policy decisions federal agency = support for their administrative programs

The states that border Mexico all have ______ registered lobbyists.

more than 800

__ lobbying includes initiating letter-writing campaigns and influencing the news media.

outside

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

outside

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

private

If you were lobbying Congress, what would be the safest strategy for you to use?

Be aboveboard with members.

In the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act, the corporate tax cut is permanent, whereas the individual tax cut has an end date. This difference illustrates the fact that ______.

getting smaller, more focused business groups to work together on an issue can be highly effective

In the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act, the corporate tax cut is permanent, whereas the individual tax cut has an end date. This difference illustrates the fact that ______.

getting smaller, more focused business groups to work together on an issue can be highly effective

Interest groups tend to rely on the courts to advance their policy goals when they have ______.

a low chance of achieving their goals through legislation a cause that's unpopular with the public

A group that raises and spends money for the purpose of influencing the outcome of an election is known as ______.

a political action committee

Which of the following types of interest groups is classified as an economic type?

agriculture

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

lobbying

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

regulatory

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) involved which issue affecting interest groups?

the limit on corporate and union spending in federal elections