Chapter 14 (Interest Groups) Flashcards
Interest Groups
Organized collections of people or organizations that try to influence public policy.
What were interest groups called in the olden days?
Factions
Lobbying
When an interest group (or representative) tries to influence/pressure legislation and policy makers.
Public Interest Group
An interest group that seeks collective good (meaning its efforts will benefit everyone).
Progressive movement
An era of political and social activists between 1890-1920 who opposed government corruption.
Trade association
A group that represents a specific industry.
Common Cause
A public interest group that acts as a watchdog over the federal government.
Public Citizen
Public interest group that advocates for consumer safety and awareness.
Moral Majority
First major religious interest group.
NRA
National Rifle Association
Labor Unions
Declining interest because the Supreme Court ruled that they can’t make people pay memberships.
Social Capital
Cooperative relationships that facilitate the resolution of collective problems.
Pluralist Theory
Pro interest groups: power is distributed because the many and opposing groups balance each other out.
Disturbance Theory
Interest groups form as a result of changes in the political system.
Transactions/Elitism Theory
Con interest groups: groups are too narrowly defined and a few are too powerful.
