Question 1

Credit: Adam Zyglis/The Buffalo News/Cagle Cartoons,Inc.
-Based on the cartoon,which of the following do elitists generally argue?

Accepted Answer

A) all legitimate groups are able to affect public policy by one means or another.- Consider This: Actually,pluralism argues this,elitism argues that one group holds the power. 
B) corporations hold tremendous power 
C) the American political terrain is characterized by a dispersion of power 
D) the government is run for the benefit of all the people 
A) all legitimate groups are able to affect public policy by one means or another.- Consider This: Actually,pluralism argues this,elitism argues that one group holds the power. 
B) corporations hold tremendous power 
C) the American political terrain is characterized by a dispersion of power 
D) the government is run for the benefit of all the people B

Question 2

Which of the following is a pluralist belief?

Accepted Answer

A) Only wealthy interests have influence over government decisions. 
B) Government decisions reflect the preferences of elites.-Consider This: This is an argument of the elitist theory and not the pluralist theory. 
C) A rough approximation of the public interest emerges from competition between groups. 
D) Policymakers care more about public opinion than interest groups' preferences. 
A) Only wealthy interests have influence over government decisions. 
B) Government decisions reflect the preferences of elites.-Consider This: This is an argument of the elitist theory and not the pluralist theory. 
C) A rough approximation of the public interest emerges from competition between groups. 
D) Policymakers care more about public opinion than interest groups' preferences. C

Question 3

What is a Political Action Committee (PAC)?

Accepted Answer

A) an organization within a political party that coordinates campaign events.- Consider This: Political action committees are groups outside a political party and are not supposed to coordinate activities with a political party. 
B) an organization that focuses on grassroots lobbying 
C) an organization that conducts voter registration drives 
D) an organization that solicits campaign contributions from like-minded individuals and distributes them to political candidates 
A) an organization within a political party that coordinates campaign events.- Consider This: Political action committees are groups outside a political party and are not supposed to coordinate activities with a political party. 
B) an organization that focuses on grassroots lobbying 
C) an organization that conducts voter registration drives 
D) an organization that solicits campaign contributions from like-minded individuals and distributes them to political candidates D

Question 4

Which of the following argue that the formation of so many influential interest groups has made it increasingly difficult to accomplish major policy change in Washington?

Accepted Answer

A) Elitists -Consider This: This theory argues that only a few groups control the actions of government. 
B) Federalists 
C) hyperpluralists 
D) labor unions 
A) Elitists -Consider This: This theory argues that only a few groups control the actions of government. 
B) Federalists 
C) hyperpluralists 
D) labor unions

Question 5

Generally speaking,Political Action Committee (PAC)and Super PAC contributions have __________.

Accepted Answer

A) become increasingly important in congressional elections 
B) decreased for incumbents but increased for challengers and open seats.- Consider This: PAC contributions tend to go to incumbents because they are the strongest candidates. 
C) become less important in federal elections and more important in state elections 
D) become less important 
A) become increasingly important in congressional elections 
B) decreased for incumbents but increased for challengers and open seats.- Consider This: PAC contributions tend to go to incumbents because they are the strongest candidates. 
C) become less important in federal elections and more important in state elections 
D) become less important

Question 6

“The latent causes of faction are thus sown in the nature of man...  A zeal for different opinions concerning religion, concerning government, and many other points, as well of speculation as of practice; an attachment to different leaders ambitiously contending for pre-eminence and power; or to persons of other descriptions whose fortunes have been interesting to the human passions, have, in turn, divided mankind into parties, inflamed them with mutual animosity, and rendered them much more disposed to vex and oppress each other than to co-operate for their common good. So strong is this propensity of mankind to fall into mutual animosities, that where no substantial occasion presents itself, the most frivolous and fanciful distinctions have been sufficient to kindle their unfriendly passions and excite their most violent conflicts. But the most common and durable source of factions has been the various and unequal distribution of property. Those who hold and those who are without property have ever formed distinct interests in society….” 
--James Madison, Federalist No. 10, 1787
-Which of the following reflects how Madison's warnings have come to fruition in the 21st century?

Accepted Answer

A) The government is based on a two-party system.-Consider This: Though Madison also warned against parties,factions are more single minded and unlikely to seek compromise than parties that covered a wide range of issues. 
B) Many Americans vote along party lines. 
C) Interest groups single-mindedly represent a wide number of issues. 
D) The government is incapable of focusing on more than one issue at a time. 
A) The government is based on a two-party system.-Consider This: Though Madison also warned against parties,factions are more single minded and unlikely to seek compromise than parties that covered a wide range of issues. 
B) Many Americans vote along party lines. 
C) Interest groups single-mindedly represent a wide number of issues. 
D) The government is incapable of focusing on more than one issue at a time.

Question 7

Which of the following is an organization of people with shared policy goals entering the policy process at several points to try to achieve those goals?

Accepted Answer

A) corporation.-Consider This: A corporation is a business entity that is formed to maximize profits in a sector of the economy. 
B) interest group 
C) iron triangle. 
D) faction 
A) corporation.-Consider This: A corporation is a business entity that is formed to maximize profits in a sector of the economy. 
B) interest group 
C) iron triangle. 
D) faction

Question 8

Why are campaign contributions so important for interest groups seeking to influence government?

Accepted Answer

A) Legislators only grant meetings with interest groups that offer campaign contributions. 
B) Members of Congress are better listeners when hearing from interests that financially supported their campaign. 
C) Groups can offer contributions in return for favorable votes on pending legislation. 
D) Organizations seeking to offer input on a political party's platform are required to make campaign contributions.-Consider This: There is no such requirement.Groups that do contribute to parties are not guaranteed access to the party platform. 
A) Legislators only grant meetings with interest groups that offer campaign contributions. 
B) Members of Congress are better listeners when hearing from interests that financially supported their campaign. 
C) Groups can offer contributions in return for favorable votes on pending legislation. 
D) Organizations seeking to offer input on a political party's platform are required to make campaign contributions.-Consider This: There is no such requirement.Groups that do contribute to parties are not guaranteed access to the party platform.

Question 9

Which is a consequence of hyperpluralism?

Accepted Answer

A) reduced agency budgets 
B) termination of government programs 
C) contradictory and confusing policies 
D) growth in the number of political parties -Consider This: Hyperpluralism relates to the increase in interest groups and not political parties. 
A) reduced agency budgets 
B) termination of government programs 
C) contradictory and confusing policies 
D) growth in the number of political parties -Consider This: Hyperpluralism relates to the increase in interest groups and not political parties.

Question 10

In order to overcome the free-rider problem,many interest groups offer selective benefits.What are selective benefits?

Accepted Answer

A) the policies that interest groups help to bring about 
B) gifts given to members of Congress in return for their support on legislation.- Consider This: Interest groups cannot give members of Congress gifts in exchange for votes.This is illegal. 
C) benefits given only to group members 
D) campaign contributions to elected officials 
A) the policies that interest groups help to bring about 
B) gifts given to members of Congress in return for their support on legislation.- Consider This: Interest groups cannot give members of Congress gifts in exchange for votes.This is illegal. 
C) benefits given only to group members 
D) campaign contributions to elected officials

Question 11

Interest group participation   Sources: Authors' analysis of the 2007 International Social Survey Program survey for civic
associations and the Comparative Study of Electoral Systems,module 2 (2001-2006)for
working with others to express political views.
-Which of the following does the information in the graph suggest?

Accepted Answer

A) Americans are more likely to work in their communities than discuss politics. 
B) High interest group membership has a negative impact on American society. 
C) People are more concerned with their communities in other nations. 
D) Americans are less politically engaged than people in other democracies.-Consider This: Though fewer Americans reported working together to express political views,the percentage is still higher than in other countries. 
A) Americans are more likely to work in their communities than discuss politics. 
B) High interest group membership has a negative impact on American society. 
C) People are more concerned with their communities in other nations. 
D) Americans are less politically engaged than people in other democracies.-Consider This: Though fewer Americans reported working together to express political views,the percentage is still higher than in other countries.

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of a public interest lobby?

Accepted Answer

A) a consumer rights group 
B) a trade association 
C) a labor union -Consider This: A labor union advocates for the interest of union member and not the general public. 
D) a group representing alpaca ranchers 
A) a consumer rights group 
B) a trade association 
C) a labor union -Consider This: A labor union advocates for the interest of union member and not the general public. 
D) a group representing alpaca ranchers

Question 13

Which problem occurs when people fail to join a group because they can get the benefits the group offers without contributing to the group's efforts?

Accepted Answer

A) free-rider 
B) pluralist 
C) collective goods.-Consider This: This is the aim of many interest groups and is not considered a problem. 
D) group coordination 
A) free-rider 
B) pluralist 
C) collective goods.-Consider This: This is the aim of many interest groups and is not considered a problem. 
D) group coordination

Question 14

What does intensity contribute to the success of an interest group?

Accepted Answer

A) Intensity often leads groups to advocate for more than they can realistically get,and the final result is that they get nothing. 
B) Intense interest group members often scare away other potential members with less intense beliefs.-Consider This: Actually,intense interest groups try to attract those who are equally intense. 
C) Politicians are more likely to listen to a group showing intensity. 
D) Intensity weeds out the free riders in a group,resulting in a more heterogeneous group. 
A) Intensity often leads groups to advocate for more than they can realistically get,and the final result is that they get nothing. 
B) Intense interest group members often scare away other potential members with less intense beliefs.-Consider This: Actually,intense interest groups try to attract those who are equally intense. 
C) Politicians are more likely to listen to a group showing intensity. 
D) Intensity weeds out the free riders in a group,resulting in a more heterogeneous group.

Question 15

What is lobbying?

Accepted Answer

A) communication as a representative of a group with government officials to persuade them to support a particular policy 
B) conducting surveys to gauge public opinion on a policy issue 
C) convincing potential members to join an interest group by offering them material benefits.-Consider This: This is what interest groups to increase their membership but this not lobbying. 
D) fundraising for political candidates and educating the public about the activities of government 
A) communication as a representative of a group with government officials to persuade them to support a particular policy 
B) conducting surveys to gauge public opinion on a policy issue 
C) convincing potential members to join an interest group by offering them material benefits.-Consider This: This is what interest groups to increase their membership but this not lobbying. 
D) fundraising for political candidates and educating the public about the activities of government

Question 16

Credit: Adam Zyglis/The Buffalo News/Cagle Cartoons,Inc.
-How to critics of pluralism affirm the elitist point of view?

Accepted Answer

A) government decisions reflect the balance of competing interests in society.- Consider This: This is actually an argument of pluralism and not a criticism. 
B) power is concentrated in the hands of the few 
C) individuals with shared grievances usually form interest groups to press their demands upon government 
D) the formation of one group typically stimulates the formation of an opposing group 
A) government decisions reflect the balance of competing interests in society.- Consider This: This is actually an argument of pluralism and not a criticism. 
B) power is concentrated in the hands of the few 
C) individuals with shared grievances usually form interest groups to press their demands upon government 
D) the formation of one group typically stimulates the formation of an opposing group

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of a business interest group?

Accepted Answer

A) the National Rifle Association 
B) the American Association of Retired People (AARP).-Consider This: The AARP advocates for the interest of retired Americans. 
C) the Chamber of Commerce 
D) the National Education Association 
A) the National Rifle Association 
B) the American Association of Retired People (AARP).-Consider This: The AARP advocates for the interest of retired Americans. 
C) the Chamber of Commerce 
D) the National Education Association

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of a single-issue interest group?

Accepted Answer

A) the National Abortion Rights Action League. 
B) the Chamber of Commerce -Consider This: The Chamber of Commerce advocates the interest of multiple businesses and industries. 
C) Common Cause 
D) the National Wholesalers Association 
A) the National Abortion Rights Action League. 
B) the Chamber of Commerce -Consider This: The Chamber of Commerce advocates the interest of multiple businesses and industries. 
C) Common Cause 
D) the National Wholesalers Association

Question 19

Source: Federal Election Commission,PAC Contributions,2016.
NOTE: Data for 2016 are through June 30,2016.
-Why might Political Action Committees (PACs)believe that contributing in this manner is the best way to accomplish their goals?

Accepted Answer

A) It removes the necessity for illegal kickbacks. 
B) They will receive greater public recognition for their contributions to society. 
C) They will gain access to the greatest number of officeholders. 
D) They will attain publicity for their favorite charities and nonprofit organizations.-Consider This: PACs are not looking to get publicity for their contributions to candidates.If anything,they are looking to avoid too much publicity. 
A) It removes the necessity for illegal kickbacks. 
B) They will receive greater public recognition for their contributions to society. 
C) They will gain access to the greatest number of officeholders. 
D) They will attain publicity for their favorite charities and nonprofit organizations.-Consider This: PACs are not looking to get publicity for their contributions to candidates.If anything,they are looking to avoid too much publicity.

Question 20

What do right-to-work laws uphold?

Accepted Answer

A) amicus curiae briefs 
B) workers' rights to collective goods 
C) the requirement that workers in a union shop must join the union.-Consider This: Union membership is not required in all states. 
D) workers' freedom to decline the opportunity to join a union 
A) amicus curiae briefs 
B) workers' rights to collective goods 
C) the requirement that workers in a union shop must join the union.-Consider This: Union membership is not required in all states. 
D) workers' freedom to decline the opportunity to join a union

Credit: Adam Zyglis/The Buffalo News/Cagle Cartoons,Inc. -Based on the cartoon,which of the following do elitists generally argue?

Which of the following is a pluralist belief?

What is a Political Action Committee (PAC)?

Which of the following argue that the formation of so many influential interest groups has made it increasingly difficult to accomplish major policy change in Washington?

Generally speaking,Political Action Committee (PAC)and Super PAC contributions have __________.

Which of the following is an organization of people with shared policy goals entering the policy process at several points to try to achieve those goals?

Why are campaign contributions so important for interest groups seeking to influence government?

Which is a consequence of hyperpluralism?

In order to overcome the free-rider problem,many interest groups offer selective benefits.What are selective benefits?

Which of the following is an example of a public interest lobby?

Which problem occurs when people fail to join a group because they can get the benefits the group offers without contributing to the group's efforts?

What does intensity contribute to the success of an interest group?

What is lobbying?

Credit: Adam Zyglis/The Buffalo News/Cagle Cartoons,Inc. -How to critics of pluralism affirm the elitist point of view?

Which of the following is an example of a business interest group?

Which of the following is an example of a single-issue interest group?

Source: Federal Election Commission,PAC Contributions,2016. NOTE: Data for 2016 are through June 30,2016. -Why might Political Action Committees (PACs)believe that contributing in this manner is the best way to accomplish their goals?

What do right-to-work laws uphold?

Introducing Government in America

The Constitution

Federalism

Civil Liberties and Public Policy

Civil Rights and Public Policy

Public Opinion and Political Action

The Mass Media and the Political Agenda

Political Parties

Campaigns and Voting Behavior

Congress

The Presidency

The Budget: the Politics of Taxing and Spending

The Federal Bureaucracy

The Federal Courts

Economic and Social Welfare Policymaking

Understanding Health Care, environmental, and Energy Policy

National Security Policymaking

Filters

Exam 10: Interest Groups

Credit: Adam Zyglis/The Buffalo News/Cagle Cartoons,Inc. -Based on the cartoon,which of the following do elitists generally argue?

Which of the following is a pluralist belief?

What is a Political Action Committee (PAC)?

Which of the following argue that the formation of so many influential interest groups has made it increasingly difficult to accomplish major policy change in Washington?

Generally speaking,Political Action Committee (PAC)and Super PAC contributions have __________.

Which of the following is an organization of people with shared policy goals entering the policy process at several points to try to achieve those goals?

Why are campaign contributions so important for interest groups seeking to influence government?

Which is a consequence of hyperpluralism?

In order to overcome the free-rider problem,many interest groups offer selective benefits.What are selective benefits?

Which of the following is an example of a public interest lobby?

Which problem occurs when people fail to join a group because they can get the benefits the group offers without contributing to the group's efforts?

What does intensity contribute to the success of an interest group?

What is lobbying?

Credit: Adam Zyglis/The Buffalo News/Cagle Cartoons,Inc. -How to critics of pluralism affirm the elitist point of view?

Which of the following is an example of a business interest group?

Which of the following is an example of a single-issue interest group?

Source: Federal Election Commission,PAC Contributions,2016. NOTE: Data for 2016 are through June 30,2016. -Why might Political Action Committees (PACs)believe that contributing in this manner is the best way to accomplish their goals?

What do right-to-work laws uphold?

Introducing Government in America

The Constitution

Federalism

Civil Liberties and Public Policy

Civil Rights and Public Policy

Public Opinion and Political Action

The Mass Media and the Political Agenda

Political Parties

Campaigns and Voting Behavior

Congress

The Presidency

The Budget: the Politics of Taxing and Spending

The Federal Bureaucracy

The Federal Courts

Economic and Social Welfare Policymaking

Understanding Health Care, environmental, and Energy Policy

National Security Policymaking

Filters