Chapter 9

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

South Carolina

True or false: According to political scientist Mancur Olson, interest groups with smaller memberships usually prevail because they are able to join together pool resources.

True.

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

inside lobbying.

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

the system of checks and balances

There are roughly ___ registered lobbyists who work in Washington

12,000

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

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

Democrats

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

Private

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

citizens' groups

Benefits that belong to the entire group are referred to as

collective goods

The interest-group system tends to work primarily in favor of

corporate interests.

An interest group that is primarily organized for financial reasons, such as to make profits, provide jobs, or improve pay, but engages in political action to pursue favorable government policies is a(n) ___ group.

economic

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

government workers

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

groups; members of Congress

Who typically benefits the most from interest group resources and activism?

incumbents

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

information that supports the group's policy positions.

How have advances in technology affected the free-rider problem?

it had lessened it.

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

Lobbying

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

Purposive

Jobs, higher wages and tax incentives are all examples of ________________ incentives to joining interest groups.

material

Outside lobbying is aimed at bringing ___ pressure to bear on policymakers

public

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

agriculture

What is a super PAC?

an independent-expenditure-only committee

Which definition refers to an interest group ?

an organization seeking to influence government policy

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

regulatory.

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

single-issue

Among economic groups , which type are the most numerous ?

business groups

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

by forming a political action committee (PAC)

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

temporary.

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

the limit on corporate and union spending in federal elections

An organization that seeks to influence government decision making is referred to as a(n) ______________ ______________

interest group

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

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

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

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

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

-inside lobbying -outside lobbying

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

-jobs -retirement

The effort of the writers of the Constitution to devise governing system that would guard against tyranny of the majority resulted in which consequence?

Americas system of divided power provides abundant opportunities for interest groups to achieve their policy goals

When lobbying Congress, what is the safest strategy?

Be aboveboard.

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

California, New York, Texas

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

Collective

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 a part of a group.

Compared with Europeans , Americans are ___likely to belong to a voluntary group or association

more

The states that border Mexico all have ___ registered lobbyists.

more than 800.

The United States provides a favorable environment for interest groups because

of the tradition of free speech and association means there are few legal barriers to the activities of interest groups. 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.

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

organized.

How are issue networks formed?

they are the result of the fact that individuals have interests and expertise in particular policy issues despite disagreeing on the outcome

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

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