Interest Groups - Unit 4 Flashcards
What is an Interest Group?
An Interest group is an organized group of people that seeks to influence public policy; also called a lobby
What is lobbyist?
A lobbyist is a representative of an interest group.
What are the 5 roles of interest groups?
- Representation
- Participation
- Education
- Agenda Building
- Program Monitoring
What is Agenda Building?
The process by which new issues are brought into political limelight. (the focus of public attention)
What is Program Monitoring?
Program Monitoring is keeping track of government programs; usually done by interest groups
Which people are most likely to be in interest groups.
The wealthy, well educated, and politically motivated are more likely to form and join lobbies.
What 3 factors affect group organization?
- A change that makes people aware that they need political representation
- The quality of leadership is critical to group organization
- The higher the socioeconomic status of potential members, the more likely they are to join
What is one of the most valuable resources for an interest group?
A large and politically active membership.
What do members provide interest groups with?
Political muscle and financial resources.
How do interest groups attract new members? (3 ways)
- Ideological appeals
- Direct Mail
- The Internet
What is the Free Rider Problem?
A situation in which people benefit from the activities of the organization but do not contribute to those activities.
What is a Trade Association?
An organization that represents firms within a particular industry; members get many benefits besides lobbying.
What is a Political Action Committee (PAC)?
A PAC is an organization that pools contributions from group members and donates those funds to candidates for office.
What can 527s do?
527s can take a stand on issues but can’t directly contribute directly to a candidate.
- They don’t have a limit on contributions they can receive
- Cannot directly ask voters to vote for a candidate
What is direct lobbying?
Direct Lobbying is attempts to influence a legislators vote through personal contact
What is Grass root lobbying?
Lobbying activities performed by rank-and-file interest group members and would-be members
What is an Information Campaign?
An Information Campaign is an organized effort to gain public backing by bringing a group’s views to public attention.
What is Coalition Building?
Coalition Building is the banding together of several interest groups
How is the system biased?
- Some sectors of society is better represented
2. Profound bias in those who are well-off financially
What are citizen groups?
A citizen group is a lobbying organization built around policy concerns unrelated to members vocational interests.
What is Anicus Curiae Brief?
What interest groups use to lobby courts
What did Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission do?
Struck down parts of McCain v Feingold
Created Super PACS
What does concentration of media ownership cause?
It causes less diverse news coverage
Who is in an iron triangle?
Congress, buracay, and Interest groups.
