Chapter 11

Question 1

pluralist theoroy

Answer 1

argues that interest group activities provide additional representation and compete against each other to achieve political outcomes

Question 2

hyperpluralist theory

Answer 2

argues that too many groups are getting what they want at the expense of the unrepresented and that this behavior leads to incoherent public policy and gridlock

Question 3

elite theory

Answer 3

argues that because only a few groups have enough power to influence policy, power is concentrated into a few interlocking power centers

Question 4

Five essential arguments of the group theory of politics

Answer 4

1. groups are a linkage institution
2. groups compete
3. no group is likely to dominate
4. groups play by “rules of the game”
5. groups weak in one resource can use another

Question 5

Olson’s law of large groups

Answer 5

suggests that the larger the group, the more difficult it will be to secure enough of the collective good to encourage participation

Question 6

single-issue groups groups that have very narrow interests;

Answer 6

they singlemindedly pursue their goals; EX : Right to Life

Question 7

four strategies used by interest groups

Answer 7

1. lobbying
2. electioneering
3. litigation
4. going public

Question 8

four main types of interest groups

Answer 8

1. economic issues
2. environmental concerns
3. equality issues
4. consumer interests

Question 9

interest group
lobbying a communication by someone other than a citizen acting on his or her own behalf, directed to a government decision-maker with the hope of influencing his or her decisions
electioneering helping a sympathetic candidate to get into office
litigation using the court system to get rulings that benefit group members
going public group efforts to shape their public image, such as advertising, e-mails, mail campaigns
2 basic types of lobbyists 1. regular, paid employees of corporation, union, or association
2. people available for hire on a temporary basis
incumbents candidates seeking re-election; typically receive most of PAC money



class action lawsuit technique used by interest groups which allows groups of people with similar complaints to file their grievances under a single lawsuit



public interest lobby organizations that seek a collective good, the achievement of which will not selectively benefit only the membership of the organization (will benefit people outside the group).

union shop business in which union membership is a requirement of employment

Answer 9

organization of people with shared policy goals entering the policy process to achieve these goals

Question 10

subgovernments

Answer 10

AKA Iron Triangles; exclusive relationshps composed of interest group leaders, government agencies, and congressional committees that are related by a common issue

Question 11

Taft-Hartley Act of 1947

Answer 11

allowed presidential action to halt strikes AND permits states to forbid contracts that force workers to join unions as a condition of employment (right to work laws)

Question 12

PAC /Political Action Committee the funding mechanism of an interest group ;

Answer 12

must be registered with the Federal Election Commission
amicus curiae brief “friend of the court”; legal brief submitted by interest group to inform the court of their position on a case and to state how their welfare would be affected by a ruling.