Chapter 11 Interest Groups

Question 1

What are Interest Groups?

Answer 1

An interest group is an organization whose members share common concerns, and try to influence government policies that impact those concerns.

Question 2

Are Interest Groups legal?

Answer 2

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

Question 3

What is Pluralism?

Answer 3

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)

Question 4

Name an interest group

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

How do Interest Groups influence Public Policy?

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

What is the desired result of Pluralism?

Answer 6

Since government is run by groups of people, they must learn to compromise, moderate, and basically understand viable options in order to fix problems

Question 7

What is a Lobby?

Answer 7

Just like an Interest Group, except but they mainly try to influence elected officials

Question 8

What is a Public Affairs Committee?

Answer 8

Fund-raising organization that tries to influence elections.

Question 9

Can Lobbies, Interest Groups, and Public Affairs Committees mix?

Answer 9

Absolutely. Big interest groups like AARP (the largest interest group with over 35 million members) uses all three to accomplish their goals.

Question 10

What do Interest Groups do?

Answer 10

Speak on behalf of members, Mobilize citizens, Keep citizens informed, Hold officials accountable, Litigate on behalf of individuals, etc.

Question 11

Why can’t individual people do what Interest Groups can?

Answer 11

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

Question 12

What are the 6 Common types of Interest Groups?

Answer 12

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)

Question 13

What are the two types of Memberships in an Interest Group?

Answer 13

Member-based (bottom-up structure like the AARP and NRA)

Staff-based (organization without members that use donors)

Question 14

What is the Free Rider Dilemma?

Answer 14

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

Question 15

How do you fix the Free Rider Dilemma?

Answer 15

One popular method is by Interest Groups providing benefits to members, called Packaging

Question 16

What are the 4 types of benefits offered to Interest Group Members? (SIMP)

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Define Efficacy

Answer 17

Sense of participation with the ability to produce a desired or intended result.

Question 18

Define Proliferation

Answer 18

Rapid increase in numbers

Question 19

What are the 3 reasons to explain the proliferation of members in Interest Groups? (Why is this trending?)

Answer 19

Expansion of government
New politics of interest groups
Technology (internet)

Question 20

Define Direct Lobbying

Answer 20

an attempt by a group to influence the policy process through persuasion of public officials.

Question 21

What are Grassroots movements?

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Do Lobbyists lobby the President directly?

Answer 22

Rarely, instead they focus on the President’s advisors because he trusts them when it comes to issues he faces

Question 23

Explain the Iron Triangle (This is tough to grasp, so I put it as simply as I could)

Answer 23

Just like a triangle has three points, there are 3 connected elements of the Iron Triangle that greatly influence politics.

Question 24

What are the big 3 points of the Iron Triangle?

Answer 24

Congress (Making Law)
Executive Agencies (Implementing Law and Upholding Law)
Defense Contracts (Military)

Question 25

What is Congress’ part in the Iron Triangle?

Answer 25

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

Question 26

What is the Executive Agencies’ role in the Iron Triangle?

Answer 26

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

Question 27

What is the Defense Contractor’s role in the Iron Triangle?

Answer 27

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

Question 28

What are some ways to keep Lobbying ethical?

Answer 28

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.

Question 29

What are PACs?

Answer 29

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