Chapter 10: Interest Groups Flashcards
Iron Triangle
Definition: three-way relationship among congressional committees, interest groups and the bureaucracy
Significance: the relationship is based on an alliance that is formed by common interest presenting an inequality to access power
Example: American Dairy Association, Department of Agriculture & Senate & House Agriculture Committees. They all depend on each other “scratch each others backs”
Free Rider Problem
Definition: The situation accords when some individuals relieve benefits w/o helping bear the cost OR organizations that seek to influence public polices and their implementation
Significance: interest groups can form and they can balance each other out - only issue is that interest groups have wealthier and older people in them.
Example: Most of us are free riders, we support and watch but we are not involved in interest groups
Pluralism
Definition: interest groups are ok because people are free to join or organize groups that reflect their own interest.
Significance: people of different race, religion can coexist in the same society and participate equally in politics
Example: Where labor unions and employers meet and share the needs of their employees
