Interest Groups - Unit 4

Question 1

What is an Interest Group?

Answer 1

An Interest group is an organized group of people that seeks to influence public policy; also called a lobby

Question 2

What is lobbyist?

Answer 2

A lobbyist is a representative of an interest group.

Question 3

What are the 5 roles of interest groups?

Answer 3

1. Representation
2. Participation
3. Education
4. Agenda Building
5. Program Monitoring

Question 4

What is Agenda Building?

Answer 4

The process by which new issues are brought into political limelight. (the focus of public attention)

Question 5

What is Program Monitoring?

Answer 5

Program Monitoring is keeping track of government programs; usually done by interest groups

Question 6

Which people are most likely to be in interest groups.

Answer 6

The wealthy, well educated, and politically motivated are more likely to form and join lobbies.

Question 7

What 3 factors affect group organization?

Answer 7

1. A change that makes people aware that they need political representation
2. The quality of leadership is critical to group organization
3. The higher the socioeconomic status of potential members, the more likely they are to join

Question 8

What is one of the most valuable resources for an interest group?

Answer 8

A large and politically active membership.

Question 9

What do members provide interest groups with?

Answer 9

Political muscle and financial resources.

Question 10

How do interest groups attract new members? (3 ways)

Answer 10

1. Ideological appeals
2. Direct Mail
3. The Internet

Question 11

What is the Free Rider Problem?

Answer 11

A situation in which people benefit from the activities of the organization but do not contribute to those activities.

Question 12

What is a Trade Association?

Answer 12

An organization that represents firms within a particular industry; members get many benefits besides lobbying.

Question 13

What is a Political Action Committee (PAC)?

Answer 13

A PAC is an organization that pools contributions from group members and donates those funds to candidates for office.

Question 14

What can 527s do?

Answer 14

527s can take a stand on issues but can’t directly contribute directly to a candidate.

1. They don’t have a limit on contributions they can receive
2. Cannot directly ask voters to vote for a candidate

Question 15

What is direct lobbying?

Answer 15

Direct Lobbying is attempts to influence a legislators vote through personal contact

Question 16

What is Grass root lobbying?

Answer 16

Lobbying activities performed by rank-and-file interest group members and would-be members

Question 17

What is an Information Campaign?

Answer 17

An Information Campaign is an organized effort to gain public backing by bringing a group’s views to public attention.

Question 18

What is Coalition Building?

Answer 18

Coalition Building is the banding together of several interest groups

Question 19

How is the system biased?

Answer 19

1. Some sectors of society is better represented

2. Profound bias in those who are well-off financially

Question 20

What are citizen groups?

Answer 20

A citizen group is a lobbying organization built around policy concerns unrelated to members vocational interests.

Question 21

What is Anicus Curiae Brief?

Answer 21

What interest groups use to lobby courts

Question 22

What did Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission do?

Answer 22

Struck down parts of McCain v Feingold

Created Super PACS

Question 23

What does concentration of media ownership cause?

Answer 23

It causes less diverse news coverage

Question 24

Who is in an iron triangle?

Answer 24

Congress, buracay, and Interest groups.