interest groups Flashcards
Madison’s argument
the best way to prevent factions is to let groups fight it out amongst themselves
Interest Group:
an organization of people with shared policy goals entering the policy process at several points to try to achieve those goals. Interest groups pursue their goals in many areas
Pluralist theory:
a theory of government and politics emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies
Elite theory:
a theory of government and politics contending that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule
Hyperpluralist theory:
a theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened
“Interest group liberalism”:
the government’s excessive deference to groups
Subgovernments:
a network of groups within the American political system that exercise a great deal of control over specific policy areas; also known as iron triangles
What makes an interest group successful?
large groups tend to be less successful
Potential group:
all of the people who might be interest group members because they share some common interest; larger than an actual group
Actual group:
members of a potential group who actually join
Collective good:
something of value that cannot be withheld from a group member
free rider problem:
people do not join the group because they can benefit from the group’s activities without actually joining
selective benefits:
goods that a group can restrict to those who pay their annual dues
Olson’s law of large groups: t
he larger the group, the further it will fall short of providing an optional amount of a collective good
Single-issue group:
a group that has a narrow interest, tends to dislike compromise, and often draw membership from people new to politics.
Lobbying:
communication, by someone other than a citizen acting on his own behalf, directed to a governmental decision maker with the hope of influencing his or her decision
Electioneering:
direct group involvement in the electoral process
Amicus curiae briefs:
“friend of the court” briefs intending to raise another point of view attempting to influence the court’s decision
Class action suits:
lawsuits permitting a small number of people to sue on behalf of all other people similarly situated
Union shops:
a provision found in some collective bargaining agreements requiring all employees of a business to join the union within a short period
Right to work laws:
a state law forbidding requirements that workers must join a union to hold their jobs; Taft-Harley Act of 1974
Public interest lobbies:
organizations that seek a collective good, the achievement of which will not selectively and materially benefit the membership or activities of the organization
