Chapter 18 - Interest Groups Flashcards
Define interest group
A body that works outside government to influence a government policy
Define civil society according to the book
The arena that exists outside the state or the market and within which individuals take collective action on shared interests.
Define protective group
An interest group that seeks selective benefits for its members and insider status with relevant government departments.
Define promotional group
An “Interest group” that promotes wider issues and causes than is the case with protective groups focused on the tangible interest of their members.
What is a peak association?
An umbrella organization representing the broad interest of business and labor to government
What is a think-tank? (Tankesmedja)
A private organization that conducts research into a given area of policy with the goal of fostering public debate and political change
In this chapter, what is meant with pluralism?
A political system in which competing interests groups exert influence over a responsive government
Define the iron triangle
A policy-influencing relationship involving (in the US) interest groups, the bureaucracy, and legislative committees, and a three-way trading of information, favors and support.
Define corporatism
The theory and practice by which peak associations representing capital and labor negotiate with the government to achieve wide-ranging economic and social planning.
What is an issue network?
A loose and flexible set of interests groups, government departments, legislative committees, and experts that work on policy proposals of mutual interest.
Define lobbying
Efforts made on behalf of individuals, groups, or organizations to influence the decisions made by elected officials or bureaucrats.
Define density in this chapter
The proposition of all those eligible to join a group who actually do so. The higher the density, the stronger a group’s authority and bargaining position with government.
Define a social movement
A movement emerging from society to pursue non-establishment goals through unorthodox means. Its objectives are broad rather than sectional and its style involves a challenge by traditional outsiders to existing elites.
