Question 1

Which of the following statements about interest group coalitions is LEAST accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Coalitions expand individual interest groups' access to resources. 
B)  Coalitions allow individual interest groups to enhance their visibility. 
C)  Because interest groups are driven purely by ideology, they never form coalitions with groups whose views are not the same as their own. 
D)  Government officials often prefer to work with coalitions because they show the possibilities for consensus on a given policy. 
E)  Entering into a coalition may require interest groups to abandon or deemphasize certain parts of their agendas in order to retain the support of their coalition members. 
A)  Coalitions expand individual interest groups' access to resources. 
B)  Coalitions allow individual interest groups to enhance their visibility. 
C)  Because interest groups are driven purely by ideology, they never form coalitions with groups whose views are not the same as their own. 
D)  Government officials often prefer to work with coalitions because they show the possibilities for consensus on a given policy. 
E)  Entering into a coalition may require interest groups to abandon or deemphasize certain parts of their agendas in order to retain the support of their coalition members.

Question 2

A four-year study revealed that the most common outcome of lobbying is

Accepted Answer

A)  maintenance of the status quo. 
B)  passage of new and influential legislation. 
C)  dramatically reduced regulatory control by executive agencies. 
D)  incumbents being unseated from office. 
E)  reduction in the power of executive agencies. 
A)  maintenance of the status quo. 
B)  passage of new and influential legislation. 
C)  dramatically reduced regulatory control by executive agencies. 
D)  incumbents being unseated from office. 
E)  reduction in the power of executive agencies.

Question 3

The 2010 Citizens United and Speechnow.org decisions had the greatest impact on

Accepted Answer

A)  candidates who want to spend their own money in their campaigns. 
B)  party committees. 
C)  candidate committees. 
D)  traditional PACs. 
E)  super PACs. 
A)  candidates who want to spend their own money in their campaigns. 
B)  party committees. 
C)  candidate committees. 
D)  traditional PACs. 
E)  super PACs.

Question 4

Which of the following statements about interest groups is LEAST accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)  While many interest groups pursue economic gains, a large number pursue more ideological ends. 
B)  Some interest groups represent organizations rather than individual citizens. 
C)  Interest groups have declined in size and influence in conjunction with the general decline in political participation. 
D)  The well-to-do and well-educated are better represented in interest groups than are the poor and needy. 
E)  Membership in interest groups tends to multiply the opportunities for political participation of the poor and those with lower levels of education. 
A)  While many interest groups pursue economic gains, a large number pursue more ideological ends. 
B)  Some interest groups represent organizations rather than individual citizens. 
C)  Interest groups have declined in size and influence in conjunction with the general decline in political participation. 
D)  The well-to-do and well-educated are better represented in interest groups than are the poor and needy. 
E)  Membership in interest groups tends to multiply the opportunities for political participation of the poor and those with lower levels of education.

Question 5

Which of the following examples best illustrates the principle of political disadvantage theory?

Accepted Answer

A)  Small interest groups cannot affect policy because they cannot gain direct access to members of Congress. 
B)  Unpopular industries, unable to sway public opinion, try to win concessions through the courts. 
C)  Although attacking lobbyists and interest groups makes for a good stump speech, lawmakers who try to function without those groups find they can get little done. 
D)  As the power of a few interest groups increases, it will become increasingly difficult for new interest groups to gain influence in Congress. 
E)  If interest groups contribute money to both parties, their influence with the winning side declines, but if they contribute to only one party, their access might be closed completely. 
A)  Small interest groups cannot affect policy because they cannot gain direct access to members of Congress. 
B)  Unpopular industries, unable to sway public opinion, try to win concessions through the courts. 
C)  Although attacking lobbyists and interest groups makes for a good stump speech, lawmakers who try to function without those groups find they can get little done. 
D)  As the power of a few interest groups increases, it will become increasingly difficult for new interest groups to gain influence in Congress. 
E)  If interest groups contribute money to both parties, their influence with the winning side declines, but if they contribute to only one party, their access might be closed completely.

Question 6

Which of the following trends is NOT visible in interest group activity today?

Accepted Answer

A)  Interest groups rely on skilled professionals to make their case before government officials. 
B)  Many interest groups decide their agenda on a national level and ask members only for contributions. 
C)  Global issues are posing new threats that may change the nature of interest group activities. 
D)  Whereas interest groups were once controlled by the elite of society, the membership and goals of interest groups has expanded to consist predominantly of lower-class citizens. 
E)  Interest groups provide citizens with an accessible means of political participation that allows them to advance their views without great sacrifices of time. 
A)  Interest groups rely on skilled professionals to make their case before government officials. 
B)  Many interest groups decide their agenda on a national level and ask members only for contributions. 
C)  Global issues are posing new threats that may change the nature of interest group activities. 
D)  Whereas interest groups were once controlled by the elite of society, the membership and goals of interest groups has expanded to consist predominantly of lower-class citizens. 
E)  Interest groups provide citizens with an accessible means of political participation that allows them to advance their views without great sacrifices of time.

Question 7

What is the primary difference between strategies and tactics?

Accepted Answer

A)  Strategies focus solely on politics, while tactics embrace society as well. 
B)  Whereas strategies can be either inside or outside, tactics can only be inside. 
C)  Strategies are overall goals, and tactics are the specific actions taken to accomplish those goals. 
D)  Strategies are available to any movement, whereas only interest groups can employ tactics. 
E)  Strategies are employed by flexible pragmatists, whereas tactics are used by rigid ideological groups. 
A)  Strategies focus solely on politics, while tactics embrace society as well. 
B)  Whereas strategies can be either inside or outside, tactics can only be inside. 
C)  Strategies are overall goals, and tactics are the specific actions taken to accomplish those goals. 
D)  Strategies are available to any movement, whereas only interest groups can employ tactics. 
E)  Strategies are employed by flexible pragmatists, whereas tactics are used by rigid ideological groups.

Question 8

Which of the following types of interest groups is more likely to give to the Republican Party than to Democrats?

Accepted Answer

A)  energy groups 
B)  environmental protection groups 
C)  lawyers and lobbyists 
D)  labor groups 
E)  ideology and single interest groups 
A)  energy groups 
B)  environmental protection groups 
C)  lawyers and lobbyists 
D)  labor groups 
E)  ideology and single interest groups

Question 9

A(n) ________ is any formally organized association that seeks to influence public policy.

Accepted Answer

A)  political party 
B)  interest group 
C)  political movement 
D)  fraternity 
E)  None of these answers is correct. 
A)  political party 
B)  interest group 
C)  political movement 
D)  fraternity 
E)  None of these answers is correct.

Question 10

Discuss how interest groups build support for favored candidates. What organizations are they allowed to create in order to influence elections? What limits have Congress and the courts placed on these organizations? Are these limits effective? Should there be limitations on how much money individuals and groups can donate to a cause, or do such caps violate First Amendment rights?

Accepted Answer

Interest groups build support for favore

Question 11

In The Federalist No. 10, James Madison argued that

Accepted Answer

A)  the power of interest groups should be diluted by submerging their interests in a sea of competing interests. 
B)  a system of government must encourage the participation of interest groups in order to give each segment of society an equal voice. 
C)  interest groups were valuable as long as they were few and powerful. 
D)  interest groups threatened a free society and so should be made illegal to prevent them from forming. 
E)  interest groups were a threat to democracy because the majority should rule in all matters. 
A)  the power of interest groups should be diluted by submerging their interests in a sea of competing interests. 
B)  a system of government must encourage the participation of interest groups in order to give each segment of society an equal voice. 
C)  interest groups were valuable as long as they were few and powerful. 
D)  interest groups threatened a free society and so should be made illegal to prevent them from forming. 
E)  interest groups were a threat to democracy because the majority should rule in all matters.

Question 12

Generally speaking, small interest groups have what kind of advantage over larger ones?

Accepted Answer

A)  intensity and cohesiveness 
B)  prestige 
C)  political clout 
D)  geographical distribution 
E)  financial resources 
A)  intensity and cohesiveness 
B)  prestige 
C)  political clout 
D)  geographical distribution 
E)  financial resources

Question 13

Which of the following statements about "iron triangles," such as the military-industrial complex, is LEAST accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)  In recent decades their influence has increased because the power of advocacy groups has declined. 
B)  They typically consist of united private interests, executive agencies, and congressional committees. 
C)  They help federal agencies get their proposed policies passed. 
D)  They make it easier for private interests to win lucrative government contracts. 
E)  They help members of Congress retain their seats. 
A)  In recent decades their influence has increased because the power of advocacy groups has declined. 
B)  They typically consist of united private interests, executive agencies, and congressional committees. 
C)  They help federal agencies get their proposed policies passed. 
D)  They make it easier for private interests to win lucrative government contracts. 
E)  They help members of Congress retain their seats.

Question 14

According to most interest-group leaders, which type of incentive draws in the most members?

Accepted Answer

A)  monetary 
B)  social 
C)  relegated 
D)  fixed 
E)  idealist 
A)  monetary 
B)  social 
C)  relegated 
D)  fixed 
E)  idealist

Question 15

Describe lobbying as a political tactic. What resources must lobbyists wield to be effective? How do they build and maintain access to government officials? How has Congress tried to regulate lobbyists' activities, and how successful have those measures been? Do lobbyists have too much influence over policy formation, or do they provide a necessary function the government cannot do without?

Accepted Answer

Lobbying is a political tactic used by i

Question 16

Which of the following is a characteristic of astroturf lobbying?

Accepted Answer

A)  lobbying for a set of unidentified interests 
B)  intense transparency 
C)  lobbying exclusively for corporate interests 
D)  lobbying to executive officials instead of members of Congress 
E)  wide grassroots cultivation 
A)  lobbying for a set of unidentified interests 
B)  intense transparency 
C)  lobbying exclusively for corporate interests 
D)  lobbying to executive officials instead of members of Congress 
E)  wide grassroots cultivation

Question 17

What is the single largest sector of the interest group community?

Accepted Answer

A)  education 
B)  labor 
C)  business groups 
D)  professional associations 
E)  single-issue groups 
A)  education 
B)  labor 
C)  business groups 
D)  professional associations 
E)  single-issue groups

Question 18

Which of the following statements about interest group litigation is LEAST accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Litigation is a means by which groups with little public support can advance their interests. 
B)  Oftentimes, important cases do not arise spontaneously but are, rather, test cases brought by interest groups trying to establish new precedents. 
C)  Litigation was an essential component of the early civil rights movement in the 1950s. 
D)  Litigation is relatively inexpensive, and so it is a favored tactic of small groups with few resources. 
E)  Sometimes, instead of filing suit themselves, interest groups will issue amicus curiae briefs in favor of another party engaged in a dispute. 
A)  Litigation is a means by which groups with little public support can advance their interests. 
B)  Oftentimes, important cases do not arise spontaneously but are, rather, test cases brought by interest groups trying to establish new precedents. 
C)  Litigation was an essential component of the early civil rights movement in the 1950s. 
D)  Litigation is relatively inexpensive, and so it is a favored tactic of small groups with few resources. 
E)  Sometimes, instead of filing suit themselves, interest groups will issue amicus curiae briefs in favor of another party engaged in a dispute.

Question 19

Persons who join an interest group because it promises to offer them discounts on certain services are responding to

Accepted Answer

A)  monetary incentives. 
B)  social incentives. 
C)  relegated incentives. 
D)  fixed incentives. 
E)  idealist incentives. 
A)  monetary incentives. 
B)  social incentives. 
C)  relegated incentives. 
D)  fixed incentives. 
E)  idealist incentives.

Question 20

Which of the following types of interest groups currently spends the greatest amount of money on lobbying expenses?

Accepted Answer

A)  business groups 
B)  trade associations 
C)  unions 
D)  citizens' groups 
E)  professional associations 
A)  business groups 
B)  trade associations 
C)  unions 
D)  citizens' groups 
E)  professional associations

Which of the following statements about interest group coalitions is LEAST accurate?

A four-year study revealed that the most common outcome of lobbying is

The 2010 Citizens United and Speechnow.org decisions had the greatest impact on

Which of the following statements about interest groups is LEAST accurate?

Which of the following examples best illustrates the principle of political disadvantage theory?

Which of the following trends is NOT visible in interest group activity today?

What is the primary difference between strategies and tactics?

Which of the following types of interest groups is more likely to give to the Republican Party than to Democrats?

A(n) ________ is any formally organized association that seeks to influence public policy.

In The Federalist No. 10, James Madison argued that

Generally speaking, small interest groups have what kind of advantage over larger ones?

Which of the following statements about "iron triangles," such as the military-industrial complex, is LEAST accurate?

According to most interest-group leaders, which type of incentive draws in the most members?

Which of the following is a characteristic of astroturf lobbying?

What is the single largest sector of the interest group community?

Which of the following statements about interest group litigation is LEAST accurate?

Persons who join an interest group because it promises to offer them discounts on certain services are responding to

Which of the following types of interest groups currently spends the greatest amount of money on lobbying expenses?

Citizenship: in Our Changing Democracy

The Constitution: The Foundation of Citizens Rights

Federalism: Citizenship and the Dispersal of Power

Civil Liberties: Citizens Rights Versus Security

Civil Rights: Toward a More Equal Citizenry

Public Opinion

Political Participation: Equal Opportunities and Unequal Voices

Parties and Political Campaigns: Putting Democracy Into Action

Media: Tuning in or Tuning Out

Congress: Doing the Peoples Business

The Presidency: Power and Paradox

Bureaucracy: Citizens As Owners and Consumers

The Courts: Judicial Power in a Democratic Setting

Public Policy: Responding to Citizens

Foreign and Defense Policy: Protecting American Interests in the World

Filters

Exam 8: Interest Groups in America

Which of the following statements about interest group coalitions is LEAST accurate?

A four-year study revealed that the most common outcome of lobbying is

The 2010 Citizens United and Speechnow.org decisions had the greatest impact on

Which of the following statements about interest groups is LEAST accurate?

Which of the following examples best illustrates the principle of political disadvantage theory?

Which of the following trends is NOT visible in interest group activity today?

What is the primary difference between strategies and tactics?

Which of the following types of interest groups is more likely to give to the Republican Party than to Democrats?

A(n) ________ is any formally organized association that seeks to influence public policy.

In The Federalist No. 10, James Madison argued that

Generally speaking, small interest groups have what kind of advantage over larger ones?

Which of the following statements about "iron triangles," such as the military-industrial complex, is LEAST accurate?

According to most interest-group leaders, which type of incentive draws in the most members?

Which of the following is a characteristic of astroturf lobbying?

What is the single largest sector of the interest group community?

Which of the following statements about interest group litigation is LEAST accurate?

Persons who join an interest group because it promises to offer them discounts on certain services are responding to

Which of the following types of interest groups currently spends the greatest amount of money on lobbying expenses?

Citizenship: in Our Changing Democracy

The Constitution: The Foundation of Citizens Rights

Federalism: Citizenship and the Dispersal of Power

Civil Liberties: Citizens Rights Versus Security

Civil Rights: Toward a More Equal Citizenry

Public Opinion

Political Participation: Equal Opportunities and Unequal Voices

Parties and Political Campaigns: Putting Democracy Into Action

Media: Tuning in or Tuning Out

Congress: Doing the Peoples Business

The Presidency: Power and Paradox

Bureaucracy: Citizens As Owners and Consumers

The Courts: Judicial Power in a Democratic Setting

Public Policy: Responding to Citizens

Foreign and Defense Policy: Protecting American Interests in the World

Filters