Chapter 7: Interest Groups Flashcards
the many ways in which our lives are improved by social connections
Social Capital
organizations that seek to achieve some of their goals by influencing government decision making
Interest Groups
Theory that holds a group of wealthy, educated individuals wields the most political power
Elite Theory
a theory that holds that policy making is a competition among diverse interest groups that ensure the representation of individual interests
Pluralist Theory
motivation to join an interest group based on the companionship and the satisfaction derived from socializing with others that it offers
solidary incentives
motivation to join an interest group based on the belief in the group’s cause from an ideological or a moral standpoint
purposive incentives
motivation to join an interest group because the group works for policies that will provide members with material benefits
economic incentives
a group that raises and spends money to influence the outcome of an election
political action committee (PAC)
interest groups that represent collective groups of industries or corporations
umbrella organizations
outcomes shared by the general public; also called public goods
Collective Goods
or
Public Goods
the phenomenon of someone deriving benefit from others’ actions
free rider problem
the idea that from an economic perspective it is not rational for people to participate in collective action when they can secure the collective good without participating
rational choice theory
to communicate directly with policy makers on an interest group’s behalf
Lobby
the fluid web of connections among those concerned about a policy and those who create and administer the policy
Issue Network
the interaction of mutual interests among members of Congress, executive agencies, and organized interests during policy making
Iron Triangle
