Chapter 10 Terms

Question 1

Interest Groups

Answer 1

Organizations in society that seek to influence government policy

Question 1

Lobbying

Answer 1

Efforts to influence public policy through contact with public officials on behalf of interest groups

Question 2

Linkage Institution

Answer 2

Institutions such as political parties, interest groups, the media, and elections that are channels through which individuals can communicate their preferences to policy makers

Question 2

Interest Group State

Answer 2

A government in which most policy decisions are determined by the influence of interest groups

Question 3

Institutional Interest Groups

Answer 3

Formed by nonprofits such as universities, think tanks, or museums

Question 4

Professional Associations

Answer 4

Represent individuals who have a common interest in a profession

Question 5

Businesses

Answer 5

For-profit enterprises that aim to influence policy in ways that will increase profits or satisfy other goals

Question 5

Labor Organizations

Answer 5

Lobby for regulations that make it easy for workers to form labor unions, as well as for a range of other policies

Question 6

Citizen Groups

Answer 6

Range from those with mass membership to those that have no members but claim to speak for particular segments of the population

Question 7

Trade or Peak Associations

Answer 7

Groups of businesses that band together to lobby for policies that benefit all of them

Question 8

Confederation

Answer 8

Interest groups made up of several independent, local organizations that provide much of their funding and hold the power

Question 8

Centralized Groups

Answer 8

Interest groups that have a headquarters, usually in Washington DC, as well as members and field offices across the country. In general, these groups’ lobbying decisions are made at headquarters by group leaders

Question 9

Confederation

Answer 9

Interest groups made up of several independent, local organizations that provide much of their funding and hold the power

Question 10

Revolving Door

Answer 10

The movement of individuals from government positions to jobs with interest groups and lobbying firms, and vice versa

Question 11

Iron Triangles

Answer 11

Informal alliance of elected officials, bureaucrats, and interest groups designed to let these groups and individuals dominate policy making on a set of issues, shutting everyone else out of the process

Question 11

Mass Associations

Answer 11

Interest groups that have a large number of dues-paying individuals as members

Question 12

Collective Action Problems

Answer 12

Situations in which members of a group would benefit by working together to produce some outcome, but each individual is better off refusing to cooperate and reaping benefits from those who do the work

Question 13

Free Riding

Answer 13

Relying on others to contribute to a collective effort while failing to participate on one’s own behalf, yet still benefiting from the group’s success

Question 14

Selective Incentives

Answer 14

Benefits that can motivate participation in a group effort because they are available to only those who participate, such as member services offered by interest groups

Question 15

Solidary Benefits

Answer 15

Satisfaction derived from the experience of working with like-minded people, even if the group’s efforts do not achieve the desired impact

Question 16

Purposive Benefits

Answer 16

Satisfaction derived from the experience of working towards a specific policy goal, even if the goal is not achieved

Question 17

Coercion

Answer 17

A method of limiting nonparticipation or free riding by potential group members by requiring participation, such as many labor unions

Question 18

Inside Strategies

Answer 18

The tactics employed within Washington DC, by interest groups seeking to achieve their policy goals

Question 19

Material Benefits

Answer 19

Benefits given only to the members of an interest group, such as a coffee mug or T-Shirt, that are distinct from the collective benefits provided by the group

Question 20

Outside Strategies

Answer 20

The tactics employed outside Washington DC, by interest groups seeking to achieve their policy goals

Question 21

Grassroots Lobbying

Answer 21

A lobbying strategy that relies on participation from group members, such as a protest or a letter-writing campaign

Question 22

Direct Lobbying

Answer 22

Asking government officials to change policy in line with the group’s goals

Question 23

Super PACs

Answer 23

Can spend unlimited amounts on electioneering; can support or oppose specific candidates but cannot make contributions to candidates or coordinate efforts with candidates or parties