Exam 11: Interest Groups

Which is a primary way interest groups influence a candidate's campaign?

Why are interest groups better able to make effective use of the legal system to achieve their goals than individual citizens?

The camaraderie that members of an interest group feel from working together to achieve a similar goal with other like-minded people is characteristic of which incentive to joining an interest group?

How did James Madison feel about factions, or interest groups as we know them today?

Which option best describes an issue network?

Why are the actions of lobbyists so heavily regulated?

Which is an argument in support of interest groups?

William is a teacher who has joined the National Education Association. This group works to secure higher wages for teachers and draw attention to issues in public education like class sizes. Which type of group has William joined?

Two political science students are in a discussion about the effects of interest groups on the American political system. Micah believes that interest groups are a benefit to American democracy because they give all groups the opportunity to compete for influence. Jasmine disagrees and believes that interest groups are a detriment to the American political system. Which point can Jasmine make to best counter Micah's argument?

Interest groups attempt to influence public policy through a variety of activities.

A nation has adopted a new form of government that gives citizens most of the power over the policies that are formed at the federal level. When deciding policy, legislation is proposed and presented to the people on a ballot for them to decide whether or not they want to implement the policy. If more than 50 percent of the public votes in favor of the legislation, it becomes law. What is this an example of?

What is pluralism? How does the concept of pluralism apply to interest groups in American politics? Why is pluralism important to the proper functioning of American democracy?

Name the three components of the iron triangle. Give one example of how an iron triangle might work to form policy in a certain area.

Groups that focus on issues and interests outside of commerce and finance are considered ______.

Which group is an example of an ideological group?

What has contributed the most to the growth in the number of interest groups?

What is pluralism?

What motive does an interest group have to file an amicus curiae brief?

Consider the tactics that interest groups have at their disposal to interact with members of the government and influence public policy. Do you think it is appropriate for interest groups to have such access and influence? If not, why? How would you suggest limiting the influence of interest groups in the American political system?

Interest groups tend to stay away from using litigation as a way of influencing public policy.