GOVT 2305 Chapter 9 Interest Groups: Organizing for Influence

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

the National Organization for Women

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

trade association

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

two-thirds

When lobbying Congress, what is the safest strategy?

Be aboveboard.

The ________ describes a situation in which individuals will receive benefits even if they do not participate in or contribute to a cause.

free-rider problem

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.

What is a super PAC?

an independent-expenditure-only committee

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

Among economic groups, which type are the most numerous?

business groups

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

single-issue

The Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) led to the formation of

super PACs.

Only about one in ten people who regularly listen to National Public Radio donate money to their local station, which provides an example of

the free-rider problem.

An important feature of private goods is that

the group can withhold a benefit.

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

the system of checks and balances

The Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

allows corporations and labor unions to spend unlimited funds on campaigns.

Economist Mancur Olson refers to what aspect of interest groups as "the size factor"?

Small groups are ordinarily more united on policy issues and often have more resources, enabling them to win out more often than large groups.

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

South Carolina

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

False

Which type of group typically has a problem with free riders?

citizens' groups

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

consumer

Which of the following is an advantage that economic groups have over citizens' groups?

Economic groups can provide material benefits (such as jobs) to those who are part of the group.

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

False

One example of an environmental interest group is

Greenpeace.

_____ refers to efforts of interest groups to influence decisions through the development of close contacts with policymakers.

Inside lobbying

According to political scientist Theodore Lowi, why is the pluralist theory flawed?

It works on the principal assumption that lobbying groups receive what the majority would also want.

Unlike regular political action committees (PACs), super PACs

cannot give contributions to candidates.

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

contacts, money & skills

While the relationship between actors in an iron triangle tends to be more long-lasting, issue networks tend to

disband once an issue is settled.

Which of the following are legal tactics used by interest groups to influence policymakers?

engaging in public relations, making campaign contributions & lobbying

Political scientist Mancur Olson argues that small interest groups can be more powerful than larger groups as long as they are more

organized.

Which of the following would be considered outside lobbying activities used by interest groups?

creating public service announcements to be aired on television, having group members send letters to their legislators & organizing a protest on the steps of Congress

The incentives that most noneconomic groups offer include

collective goods.

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

executive agencies, interest groups & congressional committees

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

temporary.

Interest groups rely on what two main lobbying strategies?

inside lobbing & outside lobbying

A(n) _____ _____ is an informal but relatively stable group of persons from Congress, executive agencies, and interest groups with a mutual interest in a particular policy area.

iron triangle

A main difference between iron triangles and issue networks is that

issue networks are generally less stable than iron triangles, in that the members of an issue network may change as the issue develops.

Which of the following economic groups seeks to promote policies that benefit workers in general and union members in particular?

labor groups

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

Lobbying

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

New York, California & Texas

______ incentives include the satisfaction that you are participating in a worthy effort.

Purposive

Agency capture occurs when

regulatory agencies side with the industries they are supposed to regulate rather than with the public.

Which of the following is an example of a citizens' group in which members are joined together by purposive incentives?

a community center that addresses issues of abortion and promotes the pro-choice position

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

a low chance of achieving their goals through elected officials. faced legislative hurdles.

The term iron triangle refers to

a small and informal but relatively stable set of bureaucrats, legislators, and lobbyists who are concerned with promoting a particular interest.

Which of the following are private goods?

retirement plans & jobs

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

free

A basic reason for the existence of so many interest groups in the United States is

*All of these answers are correct. -the separation of powers in American government. -America's federal system of government. -the extent of diverse interests in American society. -the American tradition of free association.

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

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

The United States provides a favorable environment for interest groups because

-the tradition of people joining together encourages them to look to interest groups as a way of influencing policymakers. -the separation of powers and federalism provide numerous points of access for interest groups to try to influence policymakers. -the tradition of free speech and association means there are few legal barriers to the activities of interest groups.

Which of the following is an example of outside lobbying efforts?

A business group encourages group members to write or e-mail their representatives in Congress to support particular candidates in elections.

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.

Super PACs are legally forbidden from which of the following?

giving money directly to political parties & giving money directly to candidates

Which type of workers make up an increasing share of union workers?

government workers

The interest group strategy that includes face-to-face meetings with legislators and providing policy information to policymakers is known as

inside lobbying.

Effective inside lobbying is based upon

providing useful and persuasive information to key officials.

Outside lobbying is aimed at bringing ______ pressure to bear on policymakers.

public

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

regulatory agencies

Political scientist Theodore Lowi has questioned pluralist theory by suggesting that

there is no concept of the public interest in a system that gives special interests the ability to determine the policies affecting them.

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 the chief targets of interest groups when they lobby the executive branch?

top officials of federal agencies

Which of the following is a similarity between issue networks and iron triangles?

Both are arenas in which organized groups exercise influence.

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

a political action committee.

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

Collective

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

Democrats