Chapter 6 - Interest Groups

Question 1

Amicus Curiae Brief

Answer 1

Persuasive doc intended to bring to the attention of a court relevant matters not already brought to its attention by the parties

Question 2

Citizens United v. FEC

Answer 2

Landmark case

Supreme Court allowed unlimited political contributions by corporations, labor unions, and associations

Question 3

Dark Money

Answer 3

Spending meant to influence political outcomes where the source of money is not disclosed

Question 4

“Dominant/complementary” State

Answer 4

State in which factors are more favorable to the existence and overwhelming influence of special interest groups

Question 5

Earmarks

Answer 5

Funds that an appropriations bill designates a for particular purpose within a state or congressional district

Question 6

Electioneering

Answer 6

Activity that attempts to persuade people to vote for a particular candidate/party that is sympathetic to that group

Question 7

Free Ride Problem

Answer 7

Situation where individuals are able to consume a good without paying

Question 8

Grassroots Lobbying

Answer 8

Approach that asks the general public to contact legislators and government officials concerning issues at hands. as opposed to conveying the message to the legislators directly

Question 9

Interest Group

Answer 9

Organization of individuals with shared goals that attempts to influence governmental decisions and public policy through a variety of activities

Question 10

Ligiation

Answer 10

Process of resolving disputes between individuals, organizations, and government entities by filing a lawsuit with a court of law that is empowered to hear a case that ultimately will result in a desired judgment - to pursue their causes

Question 11

Lobbying

Answer 11

Method by which interest groups attempt to influence government officials

Question 12

“Open Shop” State

Answer 12

A state in which employees in the state maintain the option of whether or not to join a certified union

Question 13

Political Action Committee (PAC)

Answer 13

A group specifically created to collect funds from donors and distributed them to parties and candidates who support its issues

Question 14

Public Interest Group

Answer 14

A group that promotes the broad, collective good of citizens and consumers

Question 15

Revolving Door

Answer 15

Movement of high-level employees from public-sector jobs to private-sector jobs and vice versa

Question 16

Targeted Mass Mailings

Answer 16

Mailings that spotlight a specific audience profile and which speak directly to those individual prospects through specifically crafted, personalized mailers, by mailing pamphlet or other documents to a large list of individuals the group is attempting to influence

Question 17

501(c)(3) Organization

Answer 17

Organization that qualifies as a public interest group that enjoys tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code

Question 18

Amount required registration if you are being paid to represent others as lobbyists

Answer 18

$1000

Question 19

A formal association of individuals or organizations that attempts to influence government decision-making and/or the making of public policy is an:

Answer 19

Interest Group

Question 20

Political Action Committee is initially created by the appointment of a:

Answer 20

Treasurer

Question 21

The Texas Ethics Commission consists of

Answer 21

Eight (8) Commissioners

Question 22

In Texas, political action committee can donate up to this amount to a candidate for state representatives during on election cycle

Answer 22

No limit

Question 23

Major techniques used by interest groups to influence public policy:

Answer 23

Electioneering

Lobbying

Question 24

Interest groups with a membership consisting of individuals engaged in the same industry are often called

Answer 24

Professional Associations

Question 25

Business interest groups with companies as members are generally referred to as

Answer 25

Trade Associations

Question 26

Someone who represents an interest group before government is called

Answer 26

A lobbyist

Question 27

A formal association of individuals or organizations that attempts to influence government decision-making and/or the making of public policy is

Answer 27

An interest group

Question 28

Founding father warned the danger of “factions” in Federalist #10 even as he helped design a system that guaranteed collection action

Answer 28

James Madison

Question 29

The right to form interest groups to act collectively on public policy issues is guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution’s

Answer 29

First Amendment

Question 30

Economic Groups

Answer 30

Business groups, labor unions, and professional associations are among the most notable

Question 31

Non-Economic groups

Answer 31

Promote issues in which they believe and work for causes that benefit society as a whole, but they do not provide members with individual financial benefits

Question 32

Issues and Ideological Groups

Answer 32

Focus on specific matters and ideological perspectives

Often heavily partisan

Question 33

Persuasion Campaigns

Answer 33

Technique includes running media campaigns to convince the public to support their position on issues and creating and publicizing advertisements intended to help a political candidate or political party achieve victory

Question 34

According to the Texas Ethics Commission, “making direct communications with the members of the legislative or executive branch of Texas state government to influence legislation or administrative action” is lobbying, which often requires

Answer 34

Periodic activity reports

Question 35

An association of small beer brewers puts a postcard in every 12-pack, inviting customers to contact their legislators to support a pending bill to allow the direct sale of beer from brewpubs is an example of

Answer 35

Grassroots lobbying

Question 36

Business Political Action Committees often follow a “friendly incumbent rule”, which means

Answer 36

They rarely support challengers to officeholders seeking reelection