Chapter 6 Flashcards
Interest Group
an organized group of individuals sharing common objectives who actively attempt to influence policymakers; (right to form interest groups and to lobby the government is protected by the Bill of Rights); seeks to affect the policies or practices of the government
Social Group
an organized group sharing common views and beliefs who only aim to entertain and/or educate members with no broader purpose (in theory: a church)
Disturbance Theory
the theory (coined by political scientist David B. Truman) that a social group may become an interest group in response to a perceived threat to the group’s interests; ex: NRA became politicized when attempts to regulate or ban firearms increased in frequency
Entrepreneurial Theory
the theory (coined by political scientist Robert H. Salisbury) that a social group may become an interest group if the leader believes that it is pertinent to the group’s survival; ex: AARP
Purposive Incentive
a reason to join an interest group - satisfaction resulting from working for a cause in which one believes; sense of self-purpose
Solidary Incentive
a reason to join an interest group - pleasure in associating with like-minded individuals; from French solidarite “mutual responsibility; complete”
Material Incentive
a reason to join an interest group - practical benefits such as discounts, subscriptions, or group insurance
Free Rider Problem
(free loader) the difficulty that exists when individuals can enjoy the outcome of an interest group’s efforts without having to contribute, such as by becoming members of the group
Amicus Curiae
from Latin “friend of the court”; brief filed by a group that has a legitimized interest in a court decision regarding a lawsuit
Pluralist Theory
a theory that views politics as a contest among various interest groups - at all levels of government - to gain benefits for their members
Political Party
a group of individuals who organize to win elections, operate the government, and determine policy
Public-Interest Group
an interest group formed for the purpose of working for the “public good”; ex: American Civil Liberties Union and Common Cause
Trade Organization
an association formed by members of a particular industry, such as the oil industry or the trucking industry, to develop common standards and goals for the industry; trade organizations, as groups, lobby government for legislation or regulations that specifically benefit their groups
Labor Force
all the people over the age of sixteen who are working or actively looking for jobs
Right-to-work Laws
laws that ban unions from collecting dues or other fees from workers whom they represent but who have not actually joined the union (free rider issue)
Tort Reform
reform advocated by organizations such as the American Medical Association (AMA) due to how easy it is for lawyers to sure physicians, insurance companies, and other businesses, and how generous settlements drive up the cost of health care and other goods
Factions
groups that compete for control of a political party
Direct Technique
any method used by an interest group to interact with government officials directly to further the group’s goals; ex: lobbying and providing election support
Lobbying
all of the attempts by organizations or by individuals to influence the passage, defeat, or contents of legislation or to influence the administrative decisions of government
Lobbyist
an individual who handles a particular interest group’s lobbying efforts
Political Action Committee (PAC)
a committee that is established by a corporation, labor union, or special interest group to raise funds and make contributions on the establishing organization’s behalf
Indirect Technique
any method used by interest groups to influence government officials through third parties, such as voters
Rating System
a system by which a particular interest group evaluates (rates) the performance of legislators based on how often the legislators have voted with the group’s position on particular issues
Independent Expenditure
an expenditure for activities that are independent from (not coordinated with) those of a political candidate or a political party; ex: “issue ads” on TV or radio, funded by an interest group, taking a position on a particular issue
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002
banned unlimited donations to campaigns and political parties, called “soft money”
Revolving Door Syndrome
the observation that those who leave positions with the federal government often become lobbyists or consultants for the private-interest groups they helped to regulate
