Chapter 10 Flashcards
Which of these is not a strong predictor of political engagement, according to the text?
Entertainment types
According to the text, these are benefits that help most or all citizens
collective goods
Some interest groups can be organized into membership organizations, in which they join voluntarily and usually pay dues. Which of these is not an example of a membership organization as it relates to interest groups?
Republican party
Political parties and _____________ both work together and compete for influence, although in different ways
a. Lobbyists
b. Interest groups
c. Factions
d. All of the above**
In what way do interest groups facilitate political participation, according to the text?
a. Members become active within a group, working on behalf of the organization to promote its agenda.
b. Interest groups work to increase members.
c. Interest groups organize rallies.
d. All of the above.
These laws prevent lawmakers from lobbying government immediately after leaving public office
Revolving door laws
This seminal book exposed the dangers of pesticides such as DDT and served as the catalyst for environmental awareness across the nation
Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring
Which of these would be an example of the free rider problem?
Utilizing a neighboring city’s public park
The primary goal of interest groups, no matter their lobbying approach, is to ___________________
a. Form new political parties
b. Make money
c. Influence decision-makers and public policies
d. All of the above
This hypothetical arrangement details a symbiotic relationship between interest groups, a congressional committee member or chair, and an agency within a bureaucracy
Iron Triangle
This is when external events can help mobilize groups and potential members. An example would be the ban on bump stocks increasing membership in the NRA
Disturbance theory
Which of these is a way in which lobbying is regulated by the federal government
a. Definitions on who can and cannot lobby
b. Prohibition on certain activities like providing gifts to lawmakers
c. Varying levels of disclosure about the amount of money spent on lobbying
d. All of the above
Many believe that businesses and the wealthy are advantaged and that policies more often reflect their wishes than anyone else’s. This is known as the ____________ critique
elitist
__________________ is the conviction that you can make a difference or that government cares about you and your views. Many have low levels of this, especially among those classified as poor
efficacy
These political movements begin from the bottom up among a small number of people at the local level
Grassroots movements
Interest groups represent both private and public interests. As it relates to private interests, they usually seek ___________________ from government that favor a certain special interest
Particularized benefits
Since interest groups cannot target all 535 lawmakers in the House and Senate at once, they typically target which of these subcategories first
Lawmakers they think will consider introducing or sponsoring legislation
This is someone who represents the interest organization before government, is usually compensated for doing so, and is required to register with the government in which he or she lobbies
Lobbyist
The most significant change in interest groups over the last three or four decades in the United States is what, according to the text
The increase in both the number and type of groups
This sort of interest group sees large companies join together in a common interest. An example would be the American Beverage Association, which includes Coca-Cola, Red Bull, and Kraft Foods
Associations
groups of companies or institutions that organize around a common set of concerns, often within a given industry or trade
association
a political movement that resembles a grassroots movement but is often supported or facilitated by wealthy interests and/or elites
astroturf movement
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission was a 2010 Supreme Court case that granted corporations and unions the right to spend unlimited amounts of money on elections
Citizens United
a good such as public safety or clean air, often produced by government, that is generally available to the population as a whole
collective good
a lobbyist who works for a contract lobbying firm that represents clients before government
contract lobbyist
the theory that an external event can lead to interest group mobilization
disturbance theory
the belief that you make a difference and that government cares about you and your views
efficacy
the proposition that wealthy and elite interests are advantaged over those without resources
elite critique
the result when a large interest group develops diverging needs
fragmentation
the situation that occurs when some individuals receive benefits (get a free ride) without helping to bear the cost
free rider problem
a political movement that often begins from the bottom up, inspired by average citizens concerned about a given issue
grassroots movement
an employee or executive within an organization who works as a lobbyist on behalf of the organization
in-house lobbyist
the act of contacting and taking the organization’s message directly to lawmakers in an attempt to influence policy
inside lobbying
three-way relationship among congressional committees, interests groups, and the bureaucracy
iron triangle
a group of interest groups and people who work together to support a particular issue or policy
issue network
a person employed by a governmental entity such as a local government, executive department, or university to represent the organization before the legislature
legislative liaison
a person who represents an organization before government in an attempt to influence policy
lobbyist
substantive monetary or physical benefits given to group members to help overcome collective action problems
material incentives
an interest group that usually consists of dues-paying members who organize around a particular cause or issue
membership organization
a person who suggests that all groups’ access and influence depend on the political environment
neopluralist
the act of lobbying indirectly by taking the organization’s message to the public, often through the use of the media and/or by issue press releases, in hopes that the public will then put pressure on lawmakers
outside lobbying
a benefit that generally accrues to a narrow segment of society
particularized benefit
a person who believes many groups healthily compete for access to decision-makers
pluralist
an interest group that seeks a public good, which is something that accrues to all
public interest group
benefits to overcome collective action problems that appeal to people’s support of the issue or cause
purposive incentives
laws that require a cooling-off period before government officials can register to lobby after leaving office
revolving door laws
money that interests can spend on behalf of candidates without being restricted by federal law
soft money
benefits based on the concept that people like to associate with those who are similar to them
solidary incentives
sources—including fellow lawmakers, constituents, and interest groups—that lawmakers often use to help them decide how to vote, especially on unfamiliar issues
voting cues
Someone who lobbies on behalf of a company that he or she works for as part of his or her job is________.
an in-house lobbyist
How are collective goods different from private goods?
Collective goods offer broadly distributed benefits, while private goods offer particularized benefits
Why might several competing corporations join together in an association?
a. because there is often strength in numbers
b. because they often have common issues that may affect an entire industry
c. because they can all benefit from governmental policies
d. all the above
What benefits do private and public interests bring to society? What are some disadvantages of private and public interests?
They give access to both private and collective goods to citizens. Collective goods are often underfunded and underproduced, some private goods are unfairly distributed to the elites.
What type of incentives appeal to someone’s concern about a cause?
purposive incentives
Which of the following is the best example of a solidary benefit?
joining a group to be with others like you
What changes have occurred in the lobbying environment over the past three or four decades?
a. There is more professional lobbying.
b. Many interests lobby both the national government and the states.
c. A fragmentation of interests has taken place.
d. all the above
Which of the following is an aspect of iron triangles?
a symbiotic relationship among Congressional committees, executive agencies, and interest groups
Which of the following is true of spending in politics?
a.The Supreme Court has yet to address the issue of money in politics
The Supreme Court has restricted spending on politics
What is a difference between a PAC and a super PAC?
Conservative interests favor PACs over super PACs
Revolving door laws are designed to do which of the following?
prevent lawmakers from utilizing their legislative relationships by becoming lobbyists immediately after leaving office
In what ways are lobbyists regulated?
a. Certain activities are prohibited.
b. Contributions must be disclosed.
c. Lobbying is prohibited immediately after leaving office.
d. all the above
