Chapter 11: Groups and Interests

Question 1

pluralism

Answer 1

the theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in the government; the outcome of this competition is compromise and moderation

Question 2

interest group

Answer 2

individuals who organize to influence government’s programs and policies

Question 3

citizen groups

Answer 3

groups that claim they serve the general good rather than only their own particular interests

Question 4

netroots

Answer 4

grassroots online activist organizations that have redefined membership and fundraising practices and streamlined staff structure

Question 5

membership association

Answer 5

an organized group in which members play a substantial role, sitting on committees and engaging in group politics

Question 6

staff organization

Answer 6

a type of membership group in which a professional staff conducts most of the group’s activities

Question 7

collective goods

Answer 7

benefits sought by groups that are broadly available and cannot be denied by nonmembers

Question 8

free riders

Answer 8

those who enjoy the benefits of collective goods but did not participate in acquiring or providing them

Question 9

informal benefits

Answer 9

special newsletters, periodicals, training programs, conferences, and other information provided to members of groups to entice others to join

Question 10

material benefits

Answer 10

special goods, services, or money provided to members of groups to entice others to join

Question 11

solidary benefits

Answer 11

selective benefits of group membership that emphasize friendship, networking, and consciousness raising

Question 12

purposive benefits

Answer 12

selective benefits of group membership that emphasize the purpose and accomplishments of the group

Question 13

lobbying

Answer 13

a strategy by which organized interests seek to influence the passage of legislation by exerting direct pressure on government officials

Question 14

iron triangle

Answer 14

the stable, cooperative relationship that often develops among a congressional committee, an administrative agency, and one or more supportive interest groups; not all of these relationships are triangular, but the iron triangle is the most typical

Question 15

issue network

Answer 15

a loose network of elected leaders, public officials, activists, and interest groups drawn together by a specific policy issue

Question 16

institutional advertising

Answer 16

advertising designed to create a positive image of an organization

Question 17

grassroots mobilization

Answer 17

a lobbying campaign in which a group mobilizes its membership to contact government officials in support of the groups position