Chapter 10: Interest Groups and Lobbying Flashcards
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
CC
An ___________ is an organized individuals that make policy-related appeals to government
Interest groups
CC
What are the 2 main things that interest groups do when they interact with the government?
shape policies, gather information to provide to elected officials
CC
A combination of interest groups, congress, and the bureaucracy is sometimes called what?
Iron triangle
The main argument in favor of interest groups has to do with ________.
Pluralism
