chapter 6: interest groups Flashcards
According to Federalist No. 10, why do factions exist?
“Nature of man”
Political parties and interest groups
Factions
A collection of people who share common interest or attitude and seek to influence government for specific ends
Interest groups
A large body of people interested in a common issue that is of continuing significance and who are willing to take action
Movement
What do movements seek to change?
Attitudes and institutions, not just policies
Why is the term “special interest” so derogative?
It implies a selfish, narrow view
Examples of movements
Abolitionist, civil rights, environmental, women’s suffrage, animal rights, and temperance
How do movements see their causes?
As morally right
How are movements protected by the Constitution?
1st amendment
The varied and overlapping nature of interest groups
Interest group pluralism
What is the effect of competition between interest groups?
Helps preserve democratic values and limits concentration of power in any single group.
When corporations come under public scrutiny, how do they react?
They contribute more money to government
Small business interest group
Small Business Administration
Businesses with similar interests in government regulations
Trade associations
Broadest business trade association
Chamber of Commerce
Oldest form of labor unions
Farm unions
Union membership cannot be required as a condition of employment
Open shop
Union membership can be a condition of employment
Closed shop
When a person benefits from the work of unions without joining it
Free riding
What organization holds 80% of unionized labor?
AFL-CIO
Why is union membership dwindling?
Shift from a manufacturing economy to a service economy
Official document that lists the new and proposed regulations of executive departments and regulatory agencies
Federal Register
How often is the Federal Register published?
Every weekday
A “friend of the court” brief
Amicus curiae
5 Types of interest groups
Economic Ideological Public Interest Foreign policy Government
How do small businesses play a part as interest groups?
They group together into groups like National Federation of Independent Businesses
What is the goal of the National Federation of Independent Businesses?
Elect pro-business candidates and lobby on behalf of small business owners
What do ideological groups spawn from?
Movements
2 modern day ideological groups
NRA and abortion (whether pro or against)
Example of a foreign policy interest group who lobbies for support of Arab causes
National Association of Arab Americans
What are the fastest growing unions?
Those amongst public employees
An example of a public sector interest group
National Governors Association
Most important characteristic to political power amongst interest groups
Involvement of the members in fighting for policy objectives
The extent to which membership is concentrated or dispersed; the effect this has
Spread; in more concentrated areas, the group will hold greater power
4 examples of resources within interest groups
Money, volunteers, expertise, information
What role do the formal leaders of interest groups play?
Full-time paid positions who devote massive amounts of time, effort, and money to the group.
What do the average members of interest groups do?
Identify with the group’s claims, attend meetings, faithfully pay dues, and spread the word
What do minor members of interest groups do?
They do not participate actively, and are only members in name. They cannot be counted on to vote with the group consistently
Labor groups generally favor which party?
Democrat
Business groups generally favor which party?
Republican
What role does the iron triangle play?
Enhances the policy preference of narrow interests
When a lobbyist provides information on the impact of proposed laws, it is called _______.
Substantive
