Chapter 6 InQuizitive
In the 2018 legislative races, interest groups representing finance, insurance, and real estate; ideologies/single issues; and general business were the top three contributors. Republicans received about $____ million from these groups, and Democrats received about $____ million.
-31.5 -5.8
Study the information in the table, and then determine which statements can be supported by the information. Table 6.1 Measures of Texas Civic Health
-Of all civic engagement activities, Texans engage in political ones the least. -Texans express less trust and engagement in their society and social structures than most Americans. -Low levels of involvement and volunteer activities correlate with low voter turnout.
Select which individuals below may become lobbyists for interest groups through the "revolving door" without restrictions.
-former legislators -former senior legislative staffers -former executive branch officials
The small staffs and limited office funds of most legislators often lead them to rely on ______ to provide ______ of legislation that legislators can tweak to make their own
-interest groups -first drafts
What is the usefulness of "late-train" contributions?
-to help retire campaign debt of winning candidates -to build a relationship with a winning candidate after the election
Which of the following descriptions of interest groups are accurate?
Business interests often have more influence than other interests. Groups that represent a narrow set of interests are often more successful than those that represent broad interests. Groups provide valuable research and education to policymakers and the public on specific issues.
Texas is near the top of the nation in measures of social connectedness that lead to civic engagement.
False
The rights to associate with others and to petition government are not guaranteed by either the U.S. or Texas Constitution.
False
What is the single biggest benefit of interest groups to policy makers?
Information
When Representative Ken King (R-Canadian) introduced a bill regarding education on the House floor, Representative Abel Herrero (D-Corpus Christi) asked his colleagues in the House whether Raise Your Hand Texas had taken a position on his bill. At that point, one of them showed Herrero a text message showing that the group had supported the bill during the committee stage of the process. The scene from the state legislature illustrates which important point about the role interest groups serve in the policy-making process?
Legislators use support from groups as information cues on the quality of legislation
I recommend trying this kind of grassroots organizing for a week or a year, or a month or a lifetime—working for whatever change you want to see in the world. Then one day you will be talking to a stranger who has no idea you played any part in the victory she or he is celebrating. —Gloria Steinem, cofounder of Ms. magazine and American feminist leader In this quote about organizing around interests for policy change, what is the meaning of grassroots?
Mobilizing other individuals within the public to action
The Coalition of Independent Educator Associations (CIEA) is made up of non-unionized education associations across America. Keeping educators connected, CIEA collaborates and focuses on serving its members in each state and on the national level. Source: cieaonline.org Judging from the organization's description, CIEA could be best categorized as what kind of interest group?
Peak association
What statement related to Texas's status as a one-party state correlates with reasons people give for not voting?
Republicans have won statewide for 25 years.
Which of these rights from the First Amendment guarantees the right of individuals to become a part of interest groups?
Right to associate with others
Because of their significant influence in Texas, particularly in the primary elections, Republican candidates must pay close attention to the issues that are important to which subset of voters?
evangelical Christians
Influential political scientist E. E. Schattschneider once stated, "The flaw with the pluralist heaven is that the heavenly chorus sings with a strong upper-class accent." Which of the following best expresses what he meant by this?
interest groups represent issues important to higher socioeconomic groups
Which of the following is a primary criticism of the practice known as the "revolving door"?
officials take actions to improve their chances of lucrative lobbying futures
What is the primary goal of interest groups when they interact with policy makers?
policies that are beneficial for their groups
