Political Science chapter 6

pluist explainnation

that the interest groups are a natural extension of a democratic system that guarantees freedom of expression and association

Interest Groups

a group organized around a set of views pr preferences and who seek to influence others in order to promote or protect those preferences

test case

a lawsuit filed to test the constitutionality of some government policy

amicus curiae brief

a legal brief filed by someone or some organization who holds an interest in a case but is not actual party

coalition building

a means of expanding an interest group's influence that involves working with other groups

free rider

a person who make the strictly rational choice to enjoy the benefits of public goods without incurring the costs of providing them, thus presenting a dilemma to the community as a whole

Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission

supreme court ruled that corporations and labor unions have first amendment right to spend unlimited amounts of money from their general treasuries to advocate the election or defeat of political candidates

Material benefits

tangible rewards gained from membership in an interest group

527 groups

tax-exempt organizations that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to influence elections

501(c) groups

tax-exempt organizations that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to promote "social welfare"

exchange theroy

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 al

Super PAC

a type of political committee that can raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, associations, and wealthy individuals to independently support or oppose political candidates, (may not contribute directly to or coordinate with political candidates campaigns)

logrolling

exchange of support on issues between individuals or groups in order to gain mutual advantage

interest groups political resources

membership, money, leadership and expertise

Rational

making choices that maximize benefits and minimize cost

Interest Groups Goals

1. they seek new positive benefits to promote the group's interest 2. they defend current benefits to protect the group's interest

federal election campaign act (FECA)

A 1971 act that allowed unions and corporation to form political action committees to raise and contribute campaign funds to candidates

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA)

A law that limits hard-money contributions during each election cycle to $2000 from individuals and $5000 from PACs

public good

a benefit that is provided to everyone and cannot be withheld from those who did not participate in its provision

collective action

action in which a group of people worth together for the provision of public goods

Lobbying

activity of a group or person that attempts to influence public policymaking on behalf of the individual group

by-product theory

argues that group leaders overcome the free rider problem either by offering selective benefits-material, social, or recreational benefits available only to group members

selective benefits

benefits provided by interest groups that are available to member only

purposive Benefits

benefits that interest members derive from feeling good about contributing to a worthy cause in an effort to improve the lot of society in general, not just the individuals concerns of the group members

soft money

campaign contributions given to political parties rather than directly to candidates

hard money

campaign contributions made directly to candidates and regulated by law

Direct lobbying

direct contact by lobbyists with government officials in an effort to influence policy

Single-issue groups

groups that take position and are active on only one specific issue(abortion, guns)

Political Action Committees(PACs)

organizations specifically created to raise money and make political contributions on behalf of an interest group

interest groups political tactics

professional lobbyist, direct and indirect lobbying, coalition building, shaping public opinion, campaign support, and lobbying in court

Solidary Benefits

satisfaction gained from membership in interest groups such as friendship and a sense of belonging to a group or meeting people with similar interest

indirect lobbying

use of intermediaries by lobbyists to speak to government officials, with the intent to influence policy

Lobbyists

who job it is to contact and attempt to influence government officials on behalf of others