Unit 4: Chapter 7: Special Interest Groups (SIGS) Flashcards
Linkage Institution
a structure within a society that connects the people to the government or centralized authority. These institutions include: elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media.
Interest groups
organization that seeks to achieve goals by influencing govt decision making
social capital
the many ways in which our lives are improved by social connections
pluralist theory
a theory that holds that policy making is a competition among diverse interest groups that ensure the rep of individual interests
elite theory
a theory that holds that a group of wealthy, educated individuals wields most political power
Hyper pluralist theory
a theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened.
political action committee (PAC)
entity whose specific goal is to raise and spend money to influence the outcome of elections
Solidary incentives?
motivation to join an interest group based on the companionship and the satisfaction derived from socializing with others that it offers
Purposive incentives
motivation to join an interest group based on the belief in the group’s cause from an ideological or a moral standpoint
economic incentives
motivation to join an interest group because the group works for policies that will provide members with material benefits
What are some examples of interest groups?
- MADD (mothers against drunk drivers)
- NRA (interest in opposing anything anti-arms and defender of second amendment rights)
- NAACP (national association for the advancement of colored people)
What is the value of SIGS and the downside of them?
value:
*create sources of social capital
*channels civic participation
*a way for people to connect to their govt
*way people can influence the policy process
*resource for policy makers
Downside:
*its PAC’s are able to influence elections
*changes the nature of campaigns
*strengthen the incumbent’s advantages
*IG activism is more prominent in wealthy people
What are the key function?
- IG educate the public about policy issues
- IG provide average citizens w/an avenue of access to activism
- IG mobilize citizens and stimulate them to participate in civic and political affairs
- . IG perform electoral functions
- IG provide info and expertise to policy makers
- IG can protect the common good
- IG are an integral part of the govt system of checks and balances
List the motivations to join a SIGS
solidary incentives
purposive incentives
economic incentives
List the patterns of membership of SIGS
- wealthier people tend to be part of professional assoc., able to give more money
* teachers or tradespeople are likely to belong to labor unions - middle class people tend to be less involved in IG
- People with higher education are more likely to be involved in IG