Groups.Interests

Question 1

What is an interest group?

Answer 1

an organized group of individuals or organizations that makes policy-related appeals to government

Question 2

How do interest groups enhance democracy?

Answer 2

By representing individuals , encouraging political participation, and educating the public

Question 3

Do interest groups represent the private or public interests?

Answer 3

private interests

Question 4

How did Madison answer to interest groups?

Answer 4

He said the answer was diversity

Question 5

What is pluralism?

Answer 5

the theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in the government

Question 6

Where is there a “pull” from? Why?

Answer 6

government; to collect information on how governmental decisions will impact various constituencies

Question 7

Where does a “push” come from? Why?

Answer 7

individuals and groups; to gain some benefit

Question 8

What is economic interest?

Answer 8

one of the main purposes for which indivuduals form groups

Question 9

What are some examples of economic interests?

Answer 9

American Farm Bureau Federation, AFL-CIO (labor unions), and the American Medical Association

Question 10

What are the 3 primary needs of groups?

Answer 10

Money, leadership, and members

Question 11

Why do groups need money?

Answer 11

to sustain the organization and to fund the group’s activities

Question 12

What are some examples of a group’s activities?

Answer 12

lobbying, voter education, etc.

Question 13

What makes groups more powerful?

Answer 13

more members

Question 14

What makes groups more successful?

Answer 14

organization and discipline

Question 15

Members of groups are more likely to be…?

Answer 15

people with higher incomes and higher levels of education

Question 16

What are selective benefits?

Answer 16

benefits provided only to group members to entice members to join and contribute

Question 17

When will selective benefits not organize a group?

Answer 17

If there is no leadership to do the work

Question 18

Who are political entrepreneurs?

Answer 18

leaders who accrue their own benefits in return for doing the work of organizing

Question 19

How do insider strategies influence policy?

Answer 19

by directly influencing decision makers

pursuing advocacy through the courts

Question 20

How do outsider strategies influence policy?

Answer 20

by educating the public

campaigning and contributing to candidates

Question 21

How do interest groups try to pressure politicians?

Answer 21

By mobilizing public opinion

Question 22

What are some examples of mobilizing public opinion?

Answer 22

advertising campaigns, protests, and grassroots lobbying efforts – building lists of supporters and urging them to pressure officials

Question 23

How do interest groups seek to influence policy through the courts?

Answer 23

By bringing suits directly on behalf of their group
Financing suits brought by others
Filing amicus curiae briefs

Question 24

What is lobbying?

Answer 24

an attempt by a group to influence the policy process through persuasion of government officials

Question 25

What are some examples of the good that lobbyists do?

Answer 25

Provide information

Make sure group concerns are heard

Question 26

What are some regulations on lobbying?

Answer 26

• Groups must report spending on lobbying
• Some limited on gifts from lobbyists
• Lobbyists must register as lobbyists

Question 27

What are political action committees (PACs)?

Answer 27

private groups that raise and distribute funds for use in election campaigns

Question 28

What are independent expenditures?

Answer 28

groups that spend money on voter education