Ch 12: Interest Groups Flashcards
What is an Interest Group?
An organized collection of individuals with shared attitudes or concerns who place demands on political institutions to achieve goals they cannot achieve on their own.
What is a Lobby?
Similar to an interest group, but focused on influencing elected officials.
What is a Lobbyist?
A hired representative of an interest group whose primary goal is to gain access to decision-makers and policymakers.
What is a Public Affairs Committee?
Fundraising organizations that try to influence elections.
What are Political Action Committees (PACs)?
Fundraising organizations that try to influence elections.
What is the Iron Triangle?
The close relationship between interest groups, legislators, and government agencies.
What is the Revolving Door?
The movement of individuals from government positions to lobbying positions and vice versa.
What is a Free Rider?
Someone who benefits from the work of an interest group without making a contribution.
What are Selective Benefits?
Benefits that are only available to members of an interest group, used to overcome the free rider problem.
What are Informational Benefits?
Publications, websites, meetings, training, conferences, legal help, collective bargaining.
What are Material Benefits?
Travel discounts, consumer discounts, insurance.
What are Solidary Benefits?
Community and connectedness, networking, friendships.
What are Purposive Benefits?
Personal satisfaction, actual advocacy.
What is Tort Reform?
Legislation aimed at limiting the amount of damages that can be awarded in lawsuits.
One prominent example in Texas is the 2003 law that capped noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases at $250,000.
What are Top Interest Group Resources?
Size, money, information, credibility.
What are examples of Professional Groups?
American Medical Association (AMA), American Bar Association (ABA).
What are examples of Labor Union Groups?
AFL-CIO, United Auto Workers (UAW), Texas Federation of Teachers.
What are examples of Gender-Based Groups?
National Organization for Women (NOW), Men’s Rights Movement, NARAL Pro-Choice America, National Right to Life Committee (NRLC).
What are examples of Ethnic Groups?
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF).
What are examples of Ideological Groups?
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), National Rifle Association (NRA), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Texas Education Agency (TEA), Grey Panthers, AARP, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).
What are examples of Environmental Groups?
Texas Conservation Alliance, Keep Texas Beautiful.
