Chapter 9

Question 1

An organization of people who share common political interests and aim to influence public policy by electioneering and lobbying. (page 339)

Answer 1

interest group

Question 2

Efforts to influence public policy through contact with public officials on behalf of an interest group. (page 339)

Answer 2

lobbying

Question 3

A government in which most policy decisions are determined by the influence of interest groups. (page 340)

Answer 3

interest group state

Question 4

A group of politically like-minded people that is not represented by any interest group. (page 343)

Answer 4

latent

Question 5

An interest group composed of companies in the same business or industry (the same “trade”) that lobbies for policies that benefit members of the group. (page 344)

Answer 5

trade association

Question 6

Interest groups that have a headquarters, usually in Washington, D.C., as well as members and field offices throughout the country. In general, these groups’ lobbying decisions are made at headquarters by the group leaders. (page 346)

Answer 6

centralized groups

Question 7

Interest groups made up of several independent, local organizations that provide much of their funding and hold most of the power. (page 346)

Answer 7

confederations

Question 8

The movement of individuals from government positions to jobs with interest groups or lobbying firms, and vice versa. (page 347)

Answer 8

revolving door

Question 9

Interest groups whose members are businesses or other organizations rather than individuals. (page 348)

Answer 9

peak associations

Question 10

A situation in which the members of a group would benefit by working together to produce some outcome, but each individual is better off refusing to cooperate and reaping benefits from those who do the work.

Answer 10

collective action problem

Question 11

A simple two-person game that illustrates how actions that are in a player’s individual self-interest may lead to outcomes that all players consider inferior. (page 351)

Answer 11

Prisoner’s Dilemma

Question 12

The practice of relying on others to contribute to a collective effort while failing to participate on one’s own behalf, yet still benefiting from the group’s successes. (page 352)

Answer 12

free riding

Question 13

Satisfaction derived from the experience of working with like-minded people, even if the group’s efforts do not achieve the desired impact. (page 352)

Answer 13

solidary benefits

Question 14

Satisfaction derived from the experience of working toward a desired policy goal, even if the goal is not achieved. (page 352)

Answer 14

purposive benefits

Question 15

A method of eliminating nonparticipation or free riding by potential group members by requiring participation, as in many labor unions. (page 352)

Answer 15

coercion

Question 16

Benefits that can motivate participation in a group effort because they are available only to those who participate, such as member services offered by interest groups. (page 352)

Answer 16

selective incentives

Question 17

The tactics employed within Washington, D.C., by interest groups seeking to achieve their policy goals. (page 353)

Answer 17

inside strategies

Question 18

The tactics employed outside Washington, D.C., by interest groups seeking to achieve their policy goals. (page 353)

Answer 18

outside strategies

Question 19

Attempts by interest group staff to influence policy by speaking with elected officials or bureaucrats. (page 354)

Answer 19

direct lobbying

Question 20

A lobbying strategy that relies on participation by group members, such as a protest or a letter-writing campaign. (page 356)

Answer 20

grassroots lobbying

Question 21

Any lobbying method initiated by an interest group that is designed to look like the spontaneous, independent participation of many individuals. (page 358)

Answer 21

astroturf lobbying

Question 22

A tax code classification that applies to most interest groups; this designation makes donations to the group tax-deductible but limits the group’s political activities. (page 360)

Answer 22

501 (c)(3) organization

Question 23

An interest group or a division of an interest group that can raise money to contribute to campaigns or to spend on ads in support of candidates. The amount a PAC can receive from each of its donors and the amount it can spend on federal campaigning are strictly limited. (page 360)

Answer 23

political action committee (PAC)

Question 24

A tax-exempt group formed primarily to influence elections through voter mobilization efforts and issue ads that do not directly endorse or oppose a candidate. Unlike political action committees, 527s are not subject to contribution limits and spending caps. (page 360)

Answer 24

527 organization

Question 25

An interest group strategy that involves donating money to the winning candidate after an election in hopes of securing a meeting with that person when he or she takes office. (page 362)

Answer 25

taking the late train

Question 26

A direct vote by citizens on a policy change proposed by fellow citizens or organized groups outside government. Getting a question on the ballot typically requires collecting a set number of signatures from registered voters in support of the proposal. There is no mechanism for a national-level initiative. (page 364)

Answer 26

initiative

Question 27

A direct vote by citizens on a policy change proposed by a legislature or another government body. Referenda are common in state and local elections, but there is no mechanism for a national-level referendum. (page 364)

Answer 27

referendum

Question 28

The level of familiarity with an interest group’s goals among the general population. (page 368)

Answer 28

salience

Question 29

Interest groups that have a large number of dues-paying individuals as members. (page 348)

Answer 29

mass associations