Comparative Government and Politics - Interest Groups Flashcards
What is an interest group
a body that works outside government to influence public policy. Also known as a non-governmental organisation (NGOs)
what is a civil society
the arena that exists between the state and the individual, and within which groups take collective action on shared interests
what role do pressure groups serve in society
they are an essential component of a free society, separate from the state
what is lobbying
efforts to influence the decisions made by elected officials or bureaucrats on behalf of individuals, groups or organisations
what is a protective group
an interest group that seeks selective benefits for its members and insider states with relevant government departments.
what is NIMBY
an acronym for ‘not in my back yard’, describing the efforts of some local interest groups to block geographically focused developments
what is a promotional group
an interest group that promotes wider issues and causes than is the case with protective groups focused on the tangible interests of their members.
what is a peak association
an umbrella organisation representing the broad interests of business or labour to government
what is a think tank
a private organisation that conducts research into a given area of policy with the goal of fostering public debate and political change
what is the revolving door
the phenomenon in which personnel move between roles as law-makers or bureaucrats and as members of industries impacted by laws and regulations
what is density
the proportion of all those eligible to join a group who actually do so. The higher the density, the stronger a group’s authority and bargaining position
what is pluralism
a political system in which competing interest groups exert influence over a responsive government
what is a social movement
a movement emerging from society to pursue non-establishment goals through non-institutionalised means. Its objectives are broad rather than sectional and its style involves a challenge by traditional outsiders to existing elites.
what is an iron triangle
a policy influencing relationship involving (in the United States) interest groups, the bureaucracy and legislative committees, and three-way trading of information, favours and support
what is an issue network
a loose and flexible set of interest groups, government departments legislative committees and experts that work on policy proposals of mutual interests
