Chapter 6: Interest Group

Question 1

Free Rider Problem

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Purposive Incentive

Answer 2

A reason to join an interest group satisfaction resulting from working for a cause in which one believes

Question 3

Solitary Incentive

Answer 3

A reason to join an interest group pleasure in associating with like minded individuals

Question 4

Material Incentive

Answer 4

A reason to join an interest group practical benefits such as discounts, subscription, or group insurance

Question 5

Pluralist Theory

Answer 5

A theory that views politics as a contest among various interest groups at all levels of government to gain benefits for their members

Question 6

Elite Theory

Answer 6

Contends that, as a practical matter, the government is controlled by one or more elite groups, typically drawn from the wealthiest members of society

Question 7

Type Of Interest Groups

Answer 7

Business, trade organizations, agriculture, labor, public sector, professional, public, ideological, environmental, single issue, governmental, etc

Question 8

Trade organizations

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Labor Union

Answer 9

Interest groups like the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of industrial Organizations lobby to improve working conditions and wages for union members

Question 10

Public Interest Groups

Answer 10

An interest group formed for the purpose of working for the “public good”

Question 11

Direct Technique

Answer 11

Any method used by an interest group to interact with government officials directly to further the group’s goals.

Question 12

Lobbying

Answer 12

All the attempt by organizations or by individuals to influence the passage, defeat, or contents of legislation or to influence the administrative decisions of government

Question 13

Lobbyists

Answer 13

An individual who handles a particular interest group’s lobbying efforts

Question 14

Indirect Technique

Answer 14

Any method used by interest groups to influence government officials through third parties, such as voters

Question 15

Interest Group

Answer 15

An organized group of individuals sharing common objectives who actively attempt to influence policy makers

Question 16

Political Action Committee (PAC)

Answer 16

A committee that is established by a corporation, labor unions, or special interest group to raise funds and make campaign contributions on the establishing organization’s behalf

Question 17

Rating System

Answer 17

A system by which a particular interest group evaluate the performance of legislator based on how often the legislator have voted with the group’s position on particular issues

Question 18

Right-To-Work Law

Answer 18

Ban unions from collecting dies or other fees from workers whom they represent but who have not actually joined the union

Question 19

Disturbance Theory

Answer 19

Describes the defensive formation of interest groups

Question 20

Revolving Door Syndrome

Answer 20

It has become increasingly common for those who leave position with the federal government to become lobbyists or consultants for the private-interest groups they helped to regulate

Question 21

Amicus Curiae Briefs

Answer 21

Interest groups can influence of litigation without being a party to a lawsuit filling