Question 1

Which argument best justifies the notion that interest groups are inclusive and foster diversity in the American political system?

Accepted Answer

A)  Interest groups often accept members who do not fully agree with that group's goals. 
B)  The American system of government by nature encourages a wide range of political organizations, including interest groups. 
C)  Any type of group within American culture has the ability to organize and attempt to influence public policy. 
D)  Most interest groups are very accepting of people of all walks of life and backgrounds. 
A)  Interest groups often accept members who do not fully agree with that group's goals. 
B)  The American system of government by nature encourages a wide range of political organizations, including interest groups. 
C)  Any type of group within American culture has the ability to organize and attempt to influence public policy. 
D)  Most interest groups are very accepting of people of all walks of life and backgrounds.

Question 2

An interest group that supports a candidate running for president is most likely to take which action to support the campaign?

Accepted Answer

A)  contribute significant amounts of money directly to the candidate's campaign 
B)  file several costly and frivolous lawsuits against the opposing candidate to derail their campaign 
C)  hire a group of people to make phone calls urging people to get out and vote for the candidate 
D)  use their resources to launch an investigation into the candidate's opponent 
A)  contribute significant amounts of money directly to the candidate's campaign 
B)  file several costly and frivolous lawsuits against the opposing candidate to derail their campaign 
C)  hire a group of people to make phone calls urging people to get out and vote for the candidate 
D)  use their resources to launch an investigation into the candidate's opponent

Question 3

A pharmaceutical company has pressured members of Congress into passing a law reducing the regulations required for human trial testing of new drugs. This new law would lower the costs of producing drugs for the company, but has the risk of increased negative outcomes on trial subjects and patients who are prescribed the drug. This is an example of which criticism of interest groups?

Accepted Answer

A)  Interest group leaders are unelected and have too great of an influence over policy. 
B)  Interest groups disproportionately benefit those in already privileged situations. 
C)  Interest groups make it difficult to get things accomplished in government. 
D)  Interest groups work to achieve benefits for themselves while passing costs to on others. 
A)  Interest group leaders are unelected and have too great of an influence over policy. 
B)  Interest groups disproportionately benefit those in already privileged situations. 
C)  Interest groups make it difficult to get things accomplished in government. 
D)  Interest groups work to achieve benefits for themselves while passing costs to on others.

Question 4

Why are free riders an issue for interest groups?

Accepted Answer

A)  Free riders receive the group's membership benefits without actually contributing to it. 
B)  Free riders use up far more resources than those who contribute to an interest group. 
C)  Free riders diminish the power and influence of interest groups at the local level. 
D)  Free riders prevent interest groups from achieving their stated public policy goals. 
A)  Free riders receive the group's membership benefits without actually contributing to it. 
B)  Free riders use up far more resources than those who contribute to an interest group. 
C)  Free riders diminish the power and influence of interest groups at the local level. 
D)  Free riders prevent interest groups from achieving their stated public policy goals.

Question 5

Interest groups influence government officials through a process known as a persuasion campaign.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

The American Civil Liberties Union is known for advocating for the rights of certain groups like gays and lesbians, immigrants, and students. Which action is the ACLU most likely to take during a presidential election?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is illegal for interest groups like the ACLU to get directly involved in a campaign or election. 
B)  The ACLU will likely mobilize its members to support the Democratic Party candidate. 
C)  The group will use its resources to file numerous lawsuits against the Republican candidate. 
D)  The ACLU will most likely lend its support to the more socially conservative candidate. 
A)  It is illegal for interest groups like the ACLU to get directly involved in a campaign or election. 
B)  The ACLU will likely mobilize its members to support the Democratic Party candidate. 
C)  The group will use its resources to file numerous lawsuits against the Republican candidate. 
D)  The ACLU will most likely lend its support to the more socially conservative candidate.

Question 7

What impact has the iron triangle had on the function of policymaking in American politics?

Accepted Answer

A)  It has lessened the influence of interest groups on public policy. 
B)  It has prioritized military interest groups over all other interest groups. 
C)  It has solidified the role of interest groups in the formation of policy. 
D)  It has made the American public more accepting of the role of interest groups. 
A)  It has lessened the influence of interest groups on public policy. 
B)  It has prioritized military interest groups over all other interest groups. 
C)  It has solidified the role of interest groups in the formation of policy. 
D)  It has made the American public more accepting of the role of interest groups.

Question 8

What is the main function of an economic interest group?

Accepted Answer

A)  to influence policies that impact social issues 
B)  to promote favorable economic policies and opportunities 
C)  to help the government form its annual budget 
D)  to advocate for redistribution of wealth and equity 
A)  to influence policies that impact social issues 
B)  to promote favorable economic policies and opportunities 
C)  to help the government form its annual budget 
D)  to advocate for redistribution of wealth and equity

Question 9

Which statement best describes an interest group?

Accepted Answer

A)  a policymaking network involving both public officials and private citizens and groups 
B)  a group of people who organize around a similar interest to discuss that interest privately 
C)  an organization of people with similar interests and goals who attempt to influence public policy 
D)  a group of people who gather together to discuss social issues and current events 
A)  a policymaking network involving both public officials and private citizens and groups 
B)  a group of people who organize around a similar interest to discuss that interest privately 
C)  an organization of people with similar interests and goals who attempt to influence public policy 
D)  a group of people who gather together to discuss social issues and current events

Question 10

Betty has decided to join an organization that will advocate for her interests as an elderly woman who requires regular medical care. Betty hopes that the group will be able to secure a cost of living adjustment for her Social Security payments so she can better cover her medical costs as well as the basic costs of things like utilities and groceries. Which group has Betty likely joined?

Accepted Answer

A)  COLA 
B)  AARP 
C)  AFL-CIO 
D)  NRLC 
A)  COLA 
B)  AARP 
C)  AFL-CIO 
D)  NRLC

Question 11

Tony is employed as a computer programmer for the State of Illinois. Many of his colleagues are members of AFSCME, a public services employees union, but Tony has not joined the organization because he is anti-union and does not want to pay the annual membership dues. Nevertheless, he still stands to benefit from AFSCME's efforts on behalf of state employees, including a retirement pension and healthcare benefits. This situation is characteristic of ______.

Accepted Answer

A)  intragovernmental lobbying 
B)  a union shop law 
C)  purposive benefits 
D)  the free-rider problem 
A)  intragovernmental lobbying 
B)  a union shop law 
C)  purposive benefits 
D)  the free-rider problem

Question 12

Interest groups utilize the Internet, mass mailing, pamphlets, radio, newspapers, and magazines as part of which tactic to achieve their goals?

Accepted Answer

A)  litigation 
B)  lobbying 
C)  persuasion campaigns 
D)  election support 
A)  litigation 
B)  lobbying 
C)  persuasion campaigns 
D)  election support

Question 13

Issue networks are made up of those who work within the iron triangle to try to influence a particular area of public policy.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Someone who opposes the influence of interest groups on the American political system and the formation of public policy would most likely be opposed to which action?

Accepted Answer

A)  A labor union group like the AFL-CIO losing a case appealed to the Supreme Court 
B)  The passage of a law that restricts the ability of interest groups to influence members of Congress. 
C)  Congress setting strict limits on lobbying activities by pharmaceutical and healthcare companies. 
D)  An automotive company like General Motors influencing vehicle safety standard regulations to lower costs. 
A)  A labor union group like the AFL-CIO losing a case appealed to the Supreme Court 
B)  The passage of a law that restricts the ability of interest groups to influence members of Congress. 
C)  Congress setting strict limits on lobbying activities by pharmaceutical and healthcare companies. 
D)  An automotive company like General Motors influencing vehicle safety standard regulations to lower costs.

Question 15

What is the primary goal of economic interest groups? Which policy areas do these groups attempt to influence the most?

Accepted Answer

The primary goal of economic interest gr

Question 16

Someone with a pessimistic view of interest groups would most likely believe that people join such organizations for the ______ benefits.

Accepted Answer

A)  purposive 
B)  material 
C)  solidary 
D)  monetary 
A)  purposive 
B)  material 
C)  solidary 
D)  monetary

Question 17

What is the relationship between congressional committees and interest groups within the iron triangle?

Accepted Answer

A)  Interest groups provide objective information and conduct research on behalf of a congressional committee in a certain area of policy. 
B)  Interest groups pressure members of congressional committees to implement policies that would benefit that interest group. 
C)  Interest groups introduce new policies and legislation to members of congressional committees for consideration. 
D)  Interest groups work with congressional committees to improve existing policies to benefit more Americans. 
A)  Interest groups provide objective information and conduct research on behalf of a congressional committee in a certain area of policy. 
B)  Interest groups pressure members of congressional committees to implement policies that would benefit that interest group. 
C)  Interest groups introduce new policies and legislation to members of congressional committees for consideration. 
D)  Interest groups work with congressional committees to improve existing policies to benefit more Americans.

Question 18

The idea that public policy is the result of many interest groups competing with one another to promote laws that benefit members of their respective groups is referred to as majoritarianism.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Briefly define lobbying. What are some of the functions of lobbyists as part of interest groups? How do lobbyists fit into the iron triangle?

Accepted Answer

Lobbying refers to the way interest grou

Question 20

What is an interest group engaging in when they decide to file a lawsuit as a way of achieving their goals?

Accepted Answer

A)  a persuasion campaign 
B)  grassroots lobbying 
C)  litigation 
D)  forming a PAC 
A)  a persuasion campaign 
B)  grassroots lobbying 
C)  litigation 
D)  forming a PAC

Which argument best justifies the notion that interest groups are inclusive and foster diversity in the American political system?

An interest group that supports a candidate running for president is most likely to take which action to support the campaign?

Why are free riders an issue for interest groups?

Interest groups influence government officials through a process known as a persuasion campaign.

The American Civil Liberties Union is known for advocating for the rights of certain groups like gays and lesbians, immigrants, and students. Which action is the ACLU most likely to take during a presidential election?

What impact has the iron triangle had on the function of policymaking in American politics?

What is the main function of an economic interest group?

Which statement best describes an interest group?

Interest groups utilize the Internet, mass mailing, pamphlets, radio, newspapers, and magazines as part of which tactic to achieve their goals?

Issue networks are made up of those who work within the iron triangle to try to influence a particular area of public policy.

Someone who opposes the influence of interest groups on the American political system and the formation of public policy would most likely be opposed to which action?

What is the primary goal of economic interest groups? Which policy areas do these groups attempt to influence the most?

Someone with a pessimistic view of interest groups would most likely believe that people join such organizations for the ______ benefits.

What is the relationship between congressional committees and interest groups within the iron triangle?

The idea that public policy is the result of many interest groups competing with one another to promote laws that benefit members of their respective groups is referred to as majoritarianism.

Briefly define lobbying. What are some of the functions of lobbyists as part of interest groups? How do lobbyists fit into the iron triangle?

What is an interest group engaging in when they decide to file a lawsuit as a way of achieving their goals?

Introduction to the Enduring-Democracy

The Founding and the Constitution

Federalism

Civil Liberties

Civil Rights, Equality, and Social Movements

Congress

The Presidency

The Federal Bureaucracy

The Judiciary

Public Opinion

The Media and American Politics

Political Parties and Voting

Campaigns and Elections

American Public Policy

Filters

Exam 11: Interest Groups

Which argument best justifies the notion that interest groups are inclusive and foster diversity in the American political system?

An interest group that supports a candidate running for president is most likely to take which action to support the campaign?

Why are free riders an issue for interest groups?

Interest groups influence government officials through a process known as a persuasion campaign.

The American Civil Liberties Union is known for advocating for the rights of certain groups like gays and lesbians, immigrants, and students. Which action is the ACLU most likely to take during a presidential election?

What impact has the iron triangle had on the function of policymaking in American politics?

What is the main function of an economic interest group?

Which statement best describes an interest group?

Interest groups utilize the Internet, mass mailing, pamphlets, radio, newspapers, and magazines as part of which tactic to achieve their goals?

Issue networks are made up of those who work within the iron triangle to try to influence a particular area of public policy.

Someone who opposes the influence of interest groups on the American political system and the formation of public policy would most likely be opposed to which action?

What is the primary goal of economic interest groups? Which policy areas do these groups attempt to influence the most?

Someone with a pessimistic view of interest groups would most likely believe that people join such organizations for the ______ benefits.

What is the relationship between congressional committees and interest groups within the iron triangle?

The idea that public policy is the result of many interest groups competing with one another to promote laws that benefit members of their respective groups is referred to as majoritarianism.

Briefly define lobbying. What are some of the functions of lobbyists as part of interest groups? How do lobbyists fit into the iron triangle?

What is an interest group engaging in when they decide to file a lawsuit as a way of achieving their goals?

Introduction to the Enduring-Democracy

The Founding and the Constitution

Federalism

Civil Liberties

Civil Rights, Equality, and Social Movements

Congress

The Presidency

The Federal Bureaucracy

The Judiciary

Public Opinion

The Media and American Politics

Political Parties and Voting

Campaigns and Elections

American Public Policy

Filters