Question 1

Another name for an interest group is

Accepted Answer

A)  pressure group. 
B)  cabal. 
C)  political party. 
D)  coalition. 
E)  constituency. 
A)  pressure group. 
B)  cabal. 
C)  political party. 
D)  coalition. 
E)  constituency.

Question 2

Which of the following groups primarily uses litigation as its lobbying method?

Accepted Answer

A)  NRA 
B)  ACLU 
C)  NAACP 
D)  AARP 
E)  NEA 
A)  NRA 
B)  ACLU 
C)  NAACP 
D)  AARP 
E)  NEA

Question 3

Identify the defining characteristics of an interest group. How do interest groups differ from political parties?

Accepted Answer

An interest group is any organization th

Question 4

The limits of interest groups' influence might be gauged by the Democratic backlash against the ________, which tried to block the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1993.

Accepted Answer

A)  ACLU 
B)  Sierra Club 
C)  Izaak Walton League 
D)  AARP 
E)  AFL-CIO 
A)  ACLU 
B)  Sierra Club 
C)  Izaak Walton League 
D)  AARP 
E)  AFL-CIO

Question 5

The most numerous economic groups are

Accepted Answer

A)  labor groups. 
B)  business groups. 
C)  professional groups. 
D)  occupational groups. 
E)  farm groups. 
A)  labor groups. 
B)  business groups. 
C)  professional groups. 
D)  occupational groups. 
E)  farm groups.

Question 6

In the 2012 presidential election, super PACs spent about ___ million dollars.

Accepted Answer

A)  27 
B)  94 
C)  150 
D)  320 
E)  600 
A)  27 
B)  94 
C)  150 
D)  320 
E)  600

Question 7

Super PACs have been criticized primarily for

Accepted Answer

A)  being a tool that provides unfair advantages to liberal Democrats. 
B)  leveling the playing field for monetary influence in federal elections. 
C)  making it more likely that minor parties will gain control of government. 
D)  giving too much influence to the wealthy. 
E)  refusing to abide by FEC regulations. 
A)  being a tool that provides unfair advantages to liberal Democrats. 
B)  leveling the playing field for monetary influence in federal elections. 
C)  making it more likely that minor parties will gain control of government. 
D)  giving too much influence to the wealthy. 
E)  refusing to abide by FEC regulations.

Question 8

The second-largest number of PACs are those associated with

Accepted Answer

A)  single-issue groups, such as environmental groups and right-to-life groups. 
B)  labor. 
C)  business. 
D)  agriculture. 
E)  foreign governments. 
A)  single-issue groups, such as environmental groups and right-to-life groups. 
B)  labor. 
C)  business. 
D)  agriculture. 
E)  foreign governments.

Question 9

Effective inside lobbying is based upon

Accepted Answer

A)  countering the aims of other groups. 
B)  providing useful and persuasive information to key officials. 
C)  mobilizing the group's members. 
D)  bribing or threatening officials. 
E)  using the media to exert pressure. 
A)  countering the aims of other groups. 
B)  providing useful and persuasive information to key officials. 
C)  mobilizing the group's members. 
D)  bribing or threatening officials. 
E)  using the media to exert pressure.

Question 10

A pluralist could be expected to argue that

Accepted Answer

A)  the presidency is more representative of society's interests than is the Congress. 
B)  society is best seen as a collection of separate interests. 
C)  U.S. society is best run by a power elite. 
D)  most interests are poorly represented through the group process. 
E)  the judiciary is more representative of society's interests than is the Congress. 
A)  the presidency is more representative of society's interests than is the Congress. 
B)  society is best seen as a collection of separate interests. 
C)  U.S. society is best run by a power elite. 
D)  most interests are poorly represented through the group process. 
E)  the judiciary is more representative of society's interests than is the Congress.

Question 11

Define economic groups. Identify four types of economic interest groups and the constituencies they serve.
D.C., concentrate their activities on policies that are concerned with business, such as tax, tariff, and regulatory decisions. Business interests are also represented by associations such as the National Association of Manufacturers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Labor groups seek to promote policies that benefit workers in general and union members in particular. They have been politically active for a long time, and the AFL-CIO is the largest labor group. Farm groups represent various segments of the farm community; for example, the Farm Bureau promotes agribusiness and large farms, while the Farmers Union promotes the interests of smaller family farms. Professional groups, such as the American Medical Association, represent various professions and attempt to influence policy on their behalf.

Accepted Answer

Economic groups promote the economic int

Question 12

A purposive incentive is defined as

Accepted Answer

A)  a goal of direct economic gain. 
B)  the opportunity to contribute to a worthy goal or purpose. 
C)  a goal benefiting a specific group. 
D)  any common purpose that brings groups together. 
E)  corporate profit. 
A)  a goal of direct economic gain. 
B)  the opportunity to contribute to a worthy goal or purpose. 
C)  a goal benefiting a specific group. 
D)  any common purpose that brings groups together. 
E)  corporate profit.

Question 13

The theory that society's interests are most effectively represented through group action is

Accepted Answer

A)  republicanism. 
B)  constitutionalism. 
C)  elitist theory. 
D)  pluralist theory. 
E)  interest-group liberalism. 
A)  republicanism. 
B)  constitutionalism. 
C)  elitist theory. 
D)  pluralist theory. 
E)  interest-group liberalism.

Question 14

James Madison's solution to the problem of factions (special interests) has, in the modern policy process, actually contributed to the problem by

Accepted Answer

A)  suppressing the claims of special interests, thereby making it more difficult for them to get their opinions heard by officials. 
B)  resulting in a fragmentation of authority among policymakers, thereby providing groups more opportunities to get their way. 
C)  eroding the strength of political parties, thereby increasing the opportunity for group influence. 
D)  weakening the legislative branch, thereby allowing groups to bully Congress into accepting their demands. 
E)  eroding the power of the mass media, thereby increasing the opportunity for group influence. 
A)  suppressing the claims of special interests, thereby making it more difficult for them to get their opinions heard by officials. 
B)  resulting in a fragmentation of authority among policymakers, thereby providing groups more opportunities to get their way. 
C)  eroding the strength of political parties, thereby increasing the opportunity for group influence. 
D)  weakening the legislative branch, thereby allowing groups to bully Congress into accepting their demands. 
E)  eroding the power of the mass media, thereby increasing the opportunity for group influence.

Question 15

The dominant labor interest group is

Accepted Answer

A)  the Teamsters Union. 
B)  United Auto Workers. 
C)  the AFL-CIO. 
D)  the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. 
E)  the Communication Workers of America. 
A)  the Teamsters Union. 
B)  United Auto Workers. 
C)  the AFL-CIO. 
D)  the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. 
E)  the Communication Workers of America.

Question 16

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, what was roughly the amount spent on lobbying in the United States in 2009?

Accepted Answer

A)  $250 billion 
B)  $10 billion 
C)  $350 million 
D)  $35 billion 
E)  $3.5 billion 
A)  $250 billion 
B)  $10 billion 
C)  $350 million 
D)  $35 billion 
E)  $3.5 billion

Question 17

During his visit to this country in the 1830s, Alexis de Tocqueville described the United States as "a nation of ________."

Accepted Answer

A)  freeloaders 
B)  loners 
C)  joiners 
D)  fighters 
E)  stalwarts 
A)  freeloaders 
B)  loners 
C)  joiners 
D)  fighters 
E)  stalwarts

Question 18

Most lobbyists receive support from elected officials in direct exchange for

Accepted Answer

A)  money. 
B)  information. 
C)  bribery. 
D)  coercion. 
E)  deception. 
A)  money. 
B)  information. 
C)  bribery. 
D)  coercion. 
E)  deception.

Question 19

Under federal law, PACs can contribute no more than ________ per candidate for federal office for a primary election and general election combined.

Accepted Answer

A)  $2,000 
B)  $10,000 
C)  $40,000 
D)  $50,000 
E)  $100,000 
A)  $2,000 
B)  $10,000 
C)  $40,000 
D)  $50,000 
E)  $100,000

Question 20

Economist Mancur Olson refers to what aspect of interest groups as "the size factor"?

Accepted Answer

A)  Larger interest groups are able to draw on greater financial resources, which makes them more capable of getting the ear of lawmakers and thus achieving policy change. 
B)  The interests of groups with large memberships would typically prevail over the interests of smaller groups. 
C)  Small groups are ordinarily more united on policy issues and often have more resources, enabling them to win out more often than large groups. 
D)  The smaller an interest group, the more likely that its motivating issue will be subsumed by the agenda of a larger interest group. 
E)  Small interest groups can often enhance their bargaining power by linking themselves to the agenda of a larger interest group that has greater resources. 
A)  Larger interest groups are able to draw on greater financial resources, which makes them more capable of getting the ear of lawmakers and thus achieving policy change. 
B)  The interests of groups with large memberships would typically prevail over the interests of smaller groups. 
C)  Small groups are ordinarily more united on policy issues and often have more resources, enabling them to win out more often than large groups. 
D)  The smaller an interest group, the more likely that its motivating issue will be subsumed by the agenda of a larger interest group. 
E)  Small interest groups can often enhance their bargaining power by linking themselves to the agenda of a larger interest group that has greater resources.

Another name for an interest group is

Which of the following groups primarily uses litigation as its lobbying method?

Identify the defining characteristics of an interest group. How do interest groups differ from political parties?

The limits of interest groups' influence might be gauged by the Democratic backlash against the ________, which tried to block the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1993.

The most numerous economic groups are

In the 2012 presidential election, super PACs spent about ___ million dollars.

Super PACs have been criticized primarily for

The second-largest number of PACs are those associated with

Effective inside lobbying is based upon

A pluralist could be expected to argue that

A purposive incentive is defined as

The theory that society's interests are most effectively represented through group action is

James Madison's solution to the problem of factions (special interests) has, in the modern policy process, actually contributed to the problem by

The dominant labor interest group is

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, what was roughly the amount spent on lobbying in the United States in 2009?

During his visit to this country in the 1830s, Alexis de Tocqueville described the United States as "a nation of ________."

Most lobbyists receive support from elected officials in direct exchange for

Under federal law, PACs can contribute no more than ________ per candidate for federal office for a primary election and general election combined.

Economist Mancur Olson refers to what aspect of interest groups as "the size factor"?

Political Thinking and Political Culture: Becoming a Responsible Citizen

Constitutional Democracy: Promoting Liberty and Self-Government

Federalism: Forging a Nation

Civil Liberties: Protecting Individual Rights

Equal Rights: Struggling Toward Fairness

Public Opinion and Political Socialization: Shaping the Peoples Voice

Political Participation: Activating the Popular Will

Political Parties, Candidates, and Campaigns: Defining the Voters Choice

The News Media: Communicating Political Images

Congress: Balancing National Goals and Local Interests

The Presidency: Leading the Nation

The Federal Bureaucracy: Administering the Government

The Federal Judicial System: Applying the Law

Economic and Environmental Policy: Contributing to Prosperity

Welfare and Education Policy: Providing for Personal Security and Need

Foreign Policy: Protecting the American Way

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Exam 9: Interest Groups: Organizing for Influence

Another name for an interest group is

Which of the following groups primarily uses litigation as its lobbying method?

Identify the defining characteristics of an interest group. How do interest groups differ from political parties?

The limits of interest groups' influence might be gauged by the Democratic backlash against the ________, which tried to block the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1993.

The most numerous economic groups are

In the 2012 presidential election, super PACs spent about ___ million dollars.

Super PACs have been criticized primarily for

The second-largest number of PACs are those associated with

Effective inside lobbying is based upon

A pluralist could be expected to argue that

A purposive incentive is defined as

The theory that society's interests are most effectively represented through group action is

James Madison's solution to the problem of factions (special interests) has, in the modern policy process, actually contributed to the problem by

The dominant labor interest group is

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, what was roughly the amount spent on lobbying in the United States in 2009?

During his visit to this country in the 1830s, Alexis de Tocqueville described the United States as "a nation of ________."

Most lobbyists receive support from elected officials in direct exchange for

Under federal law, PACs can contribute no more than ________ per candidate for federal office for a primary election and general election combined.

Economist Mancur Olson refers to what aspect of interest groups as "the size factor"?

Political Thinking and Political Culture: Becoming a Responsible Citizen

Constitutional Democracy: Promoting Liberty and Self-Government

Federalism: Forging a Nation

Civil Liberties: Protecting Individual Rights

Equal Rights: Struggling Toward Fairness

Public Opinion and Political Socialization: Shaping the Peoples Voice

Political Participation: Activating the Popular Will

Political Parties, Candidates, and Campaigns: Defining the Voters Choice

The News Media: Communicating Political Images

Congress: Balancing National Goals and Local Interests

The Presidency: Leading the Nation

The Federal Bureaucracy: Administering the Government

The Federal Judicial System: Applying the Law

Economic and Environmental Policy: Contributing to Prosperity

Welfare and Education Policy: Providing for Personal Security and Need

Foreign Policy: Protecting the American Way

Filters