interest groups

Question 1

definition of interest groups

Answer 1

an organized group of people that attempts to influence governmental policies

Question 2

lobbying

Answer 2

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

Question 3

What must an interest group have?

Answer 3

• a financial structure capable of sustaining the organization and funding its activities
• leadership and decision making structure
• an agency that carries out the group’s tasks
• majority is from middle and upper-income grous

Question 4

PAC?

Answer 4

Political action committee - a private group that raises and distributes funds for use in election campaigns

Question 5

what interests are being represented?

Answer 5

economic, labor organization, financial institutions, public interest groups, public sector lobby

Question 6

How pacs reflect that businesses are reactive?

Answer 6

Many major companies set up a pac to make campaign contributions to politicians and influence elections

Question 7

what PACs cannot do?

Answer 7

cannot use their parent companies’ treasure accounts to finance their campaign contributions

Question 8

strategies for influencing policy?

Answer 8

insider strategy: gaining access to key decision makers and using the courts
- outsider strategy: trying to influence public opinion for or against a proposed gov action and giving contributions, assistance
- many groups use a mix of insider and outsider

Question 9

what is direct lobbying?

Answer 9

refers to efforts to influence government officials, 1870s it became the common term for petitioning

Question 10

regulations of lobbying

Answer 10

• 1993: businesses may no longer deduct the cost of lobbying from taxes
• trade associations must report to members the proportion of their dues that goes to lobbying
• lobbying disclosure act: requires active registrants to file quarterly activity reports with the clers of the house and secretary of the senate
• member congress cannot accept gifts from lobbyists
• honoraria was banned
• lobbyists cannot pay for meals, trips, parties for member of congress

Question 11

how can interest groups use the courts to affect public policy?

Answer 11

• bringing suits directly on behalf of groups
• financing suits brought by individuals
• filing companion briefs as amicus curiae to an existing court case

Question 12

iron triangle

Answer 12

Congressional Committees:

• Gives Funding and Political Support to the Federal Bureaucracy
• Gives friendly legislation and oversight to Interest Groups

Federal Bureaucracy
- Gives congressional committees the policy choices and executes that policy
- Delivers low regulation and special favours to the interest group

Interest Groups
- Gives electoral support in the form of PACs and donations to Congressional committee members
- Delivers congressional support for the federal bureaucracy through lobbying Congress.