Interest Groups & Democracy

Question 1

are all IG equal?

Answer 1

no. certain small groups have fewer resources than those with large corporate interests

Question 2

how can IGs exert influence of govt?

Answer 2

Its via contributions to campaigns and PACs, as well as lobbying, exercise a disproportionate influence over legislators at federal and state level

Question 3

what did Citizens United v FEC (2010) mean for IGs?

Answer 3

IG could make unlimited amounts of donations to political campaigns

Question 4

how much did NRA spend on lobbying Congress in 2016?

Answer 4

$5 million

Question 5

how does elitist IGs undermine democracy?

Answer 5

• they can exert huge power and influence
• have a disproportionate voice
• power concentrated in only a few groups

Question 6

what did James Madison warn of ?

Answer 6

the ‘mischiefs of faction’

Question 7

why can anyone form an IG?

Answer 7

due first amendment, through freedom of speech and expression, IGs are protected

Question 8

what can any IG do?

Answer 8

form an IG and then raise funds in order to try and gain influence over legislation

Question 9

what are there a lot of in the US that helps IG exert influence?

Answer 9

access points

Question 10

give an example of the numerous access points in the US?

Answer 10

all 3 branches of fed govt + 50 state level govt

Question 11

what does the high number of access points show for IG?

Answer 11

• anybody can form a IG and be successful

- many opportunities for IGs to thrive and develop

Question 12

what can the work of IGs bring to attention?

Answer 12

important issues

Question 13

why do the 2 main parties have a broad spread of policies?

Answer 13

US is a 2 party system

Question 14

why are many issues unaddressed by the 2 main parties?

Answer 14

• US parties have substantially narrowed the range of policies with which they are associated with
• Republicans w/ Conservative policies and Democrats w/ liberal policies

Question 15

who are AIPAC?

Answer 15

American Israel Public Affairs Committee

Question 16

what do AIPAC want?

Answer 16

ensure strong relations between Israel and US stay strong

Question 17

what does AIPAC show for bringing issues to attention?

Answer 17

• IG bring issues to importance to prominence that traditional parties would have generally ignored
• help democracy as ensure will of people is represented and heard

Question 18

what does public choice theory suggest about IG activity and democracy?

Answer 18

IG activity is chocking democracy

Question 19

what is the public choice theory?

Answer 19

• lobbyists working on behalf of companies or powerful groups of producers can secure favours from the govt relatively easily
• can win subsidies, protectionist measures that curtal imports, or the imposition of new rules and regulations that will limit ability of competitors to challenge established firms

Question 20

in 2016, how much NRA donate to Republicans?

Answer 20

$800,000

Question 21

why does power of groups such as NRA undermine democracy?

Answer 21

• unelected groups can have a huge role in shaping public policy
• not representing views of those who elected, instead unelected wealthy elite