Chapter 11 Flashcards
organized interest
an individual, group of people, or group of businesses that organizes its efforts to influence public policy; systematic efforts aimed at influencing the political process; benefits from the part-time nature of the legislature who have very little professional staff available
the grange “patrons of husbandry”
formed in 1867 largely to escape rural isolation and address the educational and social needs of the farmers who found themselves widely dispersed across TX; became more involved with farmer protests and economic issues over time and by 1875 had over 40,000 members in a state that had only 250k voters
the grange “patrons of husbandry” (2)
was replaced by the farmers alliance in 1877 which was an attempt by farmers to sell their crops without intermediaries
James Leininger
donated millions to Republicans in support of school voucher programs
free-rider problem
occurs when citizens who do not contribute to the effort of a group nevertheless still enjoy the results of the group’s efforts
select incentives
benefits exclusively available to members of an organization
professional associations
represent the needs of professionals not represented by unions
trade associations
similar businesses that work together to advance shared goals
single interest groups
usually organized around one side of an issue (i.e. pro-choice groups)
electioneering
method used by organized interests to try to shape public policy by influencing who is elected to office, especially by serving as sources of campaign funding
expenditures
spending on behalf of a candidate that is done without coordination with the candidate or any party of his campaign team
grassroots lobbying
attempts by organized interests to influence legislators through public opinion; extension of democratic principles in which groups of citizens spontaneously mobilize to build support for a cause
astroturf lobbying
a simulation of grassroots support, usually conducted by specialized firms; involves spending large sums of money to generate the appearance of public support to advance a group’s agenda
pluralism
view that argues that democracy is best practiced when citizens participate through groups; a greater number of organized interests means wider participation and a healthier democracy.
power of the business lobby
when a bill comes up involving industry or business, their representative is already sitting in the legislature, ready to care for the interest of his clients”
