Chapter 11 Interest Groups Flashcards
What are Interest Groups?
An interest group is an organization whose members share common concerns, and try to influence government policies that impact those concerns.
Are Interest Groups legal?
Yes! Under the 1st Amendment. Courts recognize interest group rights in terms of free speech, assembly, freedom of the press, freedom to petition government, etc. Interest Groups do produce a problem, according to elected officials
What is Pluralism?
Theory that citizens connect to the government through interest groups that compete in the public sphere. (AKA that groups of people, not the people as a whole, govern the United States)
Name an interest group
MADD (mothers against drunk driving), PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), AARP (American Association for Retired Persons), NRA (National Rifle Association), WAKTWD (Wesley Against Kelly Texting While Driving), etc.
How do Interest Groups influence Public Policy?
Lots of ways. They gather together with a common interest (like protecting animals) and lobby politicians to propose a bill and make that bill into law.
What is the desired result of Pluralism?
Since government is run by groups of people, they must learn to compromise, moderate, and basically understand viable options in order to fix problems
What is a Lobby?
Just like an Interest Group, except but they mainly try to influence elected officials
What is a Public Affairs Committee?
Fund-raising organization that tries to influence elections.
Can Lobbies, Interest Groups, and Public Affairs Committees mix?
Absolutely. Big interest groups like AARP (the largest interest group with over 35 million members) uses all three to accomplish their goals.
What do Interest Groups do?
Speak on behalf of members, Mobilize citizens, Keep citizens informed, Hold officials accountable, Litigate on behalf of individuals, etc.
Why can’t individual people do what Interest Groups can?
Most individuals do not have the time, money, and access to political officials like Interest Groups do. They do what citizens cannot do on their own
What are the 6 Common types of Interest Groups?
Business & agriculture (Industry organizations and specific companies), Labor union groups (AFL-CIO, pilots, teachers), Professional groups (doctors), Public interest groups, (Consumer protection, environmental), Ideological (Religious, libertarian, conservative, liberal), Public sector (Universities, think tanks, research lobbies)
What are the two types of Memberships in an Interest Group?
Member-based (bottom-up structure like the AARP and NRA)
Staff-based (organization without members that use donors)
What is the Free Rider Dilemma?
Interest Groups consist of volunteers and they work to achieve political goals. Some people do not volunteer nor do they donate but still reap the benefits of Interest Groups. So, the problem is how do you attract money and volunteers
How do you fix the Free Rider Dilemma?
One popular method is by Interest Groups providing benefits to members, called Packaging
What are the 4 types of benefits offered to Interest Group Members? (SIMP)
Solidary: Friendship with other members and Networking
Informational: publications, websites, meetings, conferences discussing issues
Material: discounts, logo-themed stuff, insurance,
Purposive: personal satisfaction, actual advocacy and representation in government
Define Efficacy
Sense of participation with the ability to produce a desired or intended result.
Define Proliferation
Rapid increase in numbers
What are the 3 reasons to explain the proliferation of members in Interest Groups? (Why is this trending?)
Expansion of government
New politics of interest groups
Technology (internet)
Define Direct Lobbying
an attempt by a group to influence the policy process through persuasion of public officials.
What are Grassroots movements?
Political movements that originate at the local level to fix local problems (like cleaning a river) that appear naturally, and then could possibly get national recognition
Do Lobbyists lobby the President directly?
Rarely, instead they focus on the President’s advisors because he trusts them when it comes to issues he faces
Explain the Iron Triangle (This is tough to grasp, so I put it as simply as I could)
Just like a triangle has three points, there are 3 connected elements of the Iron Triangle that greatly influence politics.
What are the big 3 points of the Iron Triangle?
Congress (Making Law) Executive Agencies (Implementing Law and Upholding Law) Defense Contracts (Military)
What is Congress’ part in the Iron Triangle?
They make law to influence people to behave in a certain way. So like making Texting while Driving Illegal in order to influence people to refrain from wrecking cars and causing injury. Lobbyists try to influence Congressmen and Senators
What is the Executive Agencies’ role in the Iron Triangle?
Executive Agencies like NASA and the Department of Energy among other various Federal and State Departments. The heads and leaders of these departments are influenced by lobbyists and they in turn report to the president of the US. They implement the laws from Congress
What is the Defense Contractor’s role in the Iron Triangle?
Defense Contractors are the people that make things like guns and bombs for our military. They are very special. Companies like Remington and Boeing are part of this. They also help shape defense policy when it comes to military wars and campaigns against other countries and organizations
What are some ways to keep Lobbying ethical?
Since lobbyists are very influential in our government, they are prone to corrupting politicians. People who are lobbyists must be registered as lobbyists. They cannot give gifts over 50 dollars. Businesses and unions who use lobbyists cannot must report the money they spend to hire lobbyists.
What are PACs?
PAC is an acronym for Political Action Committee. Interest Groups form PACs to raise money to donate to election candidates. Most PACs are sponsored by businesses and corporations
