Interest Groups

Question 1

What is an interest group?

Answer 1

Any group of people who shares a common goal, or goals.

Question 2

How is an interest group and political party different?

Answer 2

An interest group and political party can be differentiated by their attitude towards government. An interest group wants to influence government, a political party wants to take control of it.

Question 3

What is an institutionalized interest group?

Answer 3

If the interest group is fairly permanent. E.g., Greenpeace

Question 4

What are the two ways to divide interest groups?

Answer 4

1. Based on the permanency of the group

2. Based on the goal(s) of the group

Question 5

What is an issue-specific interest group? (temporary interest group)

Answer 5

These groups only exist because of a specific, temporary issue. E.g., Marijuana legalization interest groups.

Question 6

How are interest groups divided based on their goals/ who they serve?

Answer 6

1. Public interest groups - promote a public good

2. Self-interested interest groups - promote a specific group

Question 7

What are examples of public and self-interested interest groups?

Answer 7

1. Public - greenpeace

2. Self-interested - Canadian bar association

Question 8

How do interest groups play important roles within the Canadian political system?

Answer 8

1. Attempt to influence government
2. Provide services
3. Provide information
4. Use of the legal system

Question 9

How do interest groups attempt to influence government?

Answer 9

1. Use of lobbyists

2. Sway public opinon

Question 10

What does a lobbyist do?

Answer 10

Hired to try and get an interest group’s message to important officials in government.

Question 11

How can interest groups sway public opinion, and why does it work?

Answer 11

They can use advertising campaigns and protest. This works because it is assumed that governments will not stand firmly against public opinion.

Question 12

What services and benefits can interest groups provide government?

Answer 12

E.g., if Greenpeace endorsed an environmental initiative that the Conservatives put forth

Question 13

What is the different between interest groups and a social movement?

Answer 13

Social movements lack structure, leadership, and membership is only through self-identification.

Question 14

What are ways that interest groups can raise money?

Answer 14

1. Memberships
2. Public donations
3. Activities (raffles, dinners, dances, etc).
4. Rely on government to provide funding

Question 15

What are problems that interest groups face?

Answer 15

1. Free rider problem

2. Raise funds

Question 16

What is the free rider problem?

Answer 16

Based on someone benefiting from the group’s activities without contributing to the group at all.

Question 17

How do interest groups help solve the free rider problem?

Answer 17

Many groups have a compulsory membership (e.g., Canadian bar association).