Question 1

Which of the following is an example of the free rider problem?

Accepted Answer

A)  a political action committee contributing to candidates from both major political parties 
B)  an elected official relying on information from lobbyists 
C)  an environmentalist deciding not to join an environmental group but appreciating the group's environmental stewardship 
D)  an environmental group disagreeing on what policy goals to pursue 
A)  a political action committee contributing to candidates from both major political parties 
B)  an elected official relying on information from lobbyists 
C)  an environmentalist deciding not to join an environmental group but appreciating the group's environmental stewardship 
D)  an environmental group disagreeing on what policy goals to pursue

Question 2

How do interest groups seek to influence the executive branch?

Accepted Answer

An ideal response will:
1.Explain that g

Question 3

Which of the following is a tenet of pluralism?

Accepted Answer

A)  Only wealthy interests have influence over government decisions. 
B)  Government decisions reflect the preferences of elites. 
C)  All salient issues will be represented in government. 
D)  Policy makers 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. 
C)  All salient issues will be represented in government. 
D)  Policy makers care more about public opinion than interest groups' preferences.

Question 4

What is an amicus curiae brief?

Accepted Answer

A)  a written argument submitted to a court in support of one side of a case 
B)  an internal memo circulated among interest group leaders, briefing them on the details of a court case 
C)  an interest group petition submitted to Congress in support of or opposition to a judicial nominee 
D)  an interest group petition submitted to an executive branch agency, requesting a review of an agency's decision 
A)  a written argument submitted to a court in support of one side of a case 
B)  an internal memo circulated among interest group leaders, briefing them on the details of a court case 
C)  an interest group petition submitted to Congress in support of or opposition to a judicial nominee 
D)  an interest group petition submitted to an executive branch agency, requesting a review of an agency's decision

Question 5

Which of the following is an activity that lobbyists regularly engage in?

Accepted Answer

A)  answering e-mails on behalf of elected officials 
B)  speaking on behalf of elected officials at press conferences 
C)  providing elected officials with information about an issue or bill that is important to the group 
D)  providing legal counsel to members of Congress 
A)  answering e-mails on behalf of elected officials 
B)  speaking on behalf of elected officials at press conferences 
C)  providing elected officials with information about an issue or bill that is important to the group 
D)  providing legal counsel to members of Congress

Question 6

Distinguish between public interest groups and economic groups.Provide examples of each.

Accepted Answer

An ideal response will:
1.Describe publi

Question 7

One way that interest groups can influence court cases they are interested in is by filing a(n)__________.

Accepted Answer

amicus cur

Question 8

You are the leader of a consumer rights group that has been unable to get attention for your cause using traditional lobbying tactics.What might you try next?

Accepted Answer

A)  Organize a highly visible protest and invite the media. 
B)  File an amicus curiae brief. 
C)  Draft a bill and introduce it in Congress. 
D)  Form a political action committee. 
A)  Organize a highly visible protest and invite the media. 
B)  File an amicus curiae brief. 
C)  Draft a bill and introduce it in Congress. 
D)  Form a political action committee.

Question 9

Why do small interest groups have an easier time enrolling potential members than do large interest groups?

Accepted Answer

A)  In a small group, any individual's share of the collective good may be great enough to make it rational for him or her to join. 
B)  In a small group, only individuals who contribute to the group's efforts can enjoy the collective good. 
C)  Small groups are able to offer material incentives, whereas large groups are not. 
D)  Unlike large groups, small groups often receive the help of patrons in recruiting members. 
A)  In a small group, any individual's share of the collective good may be great enough to make it rational for him or her to join. 
B)  In a small group, only individuals who contribute to the group's efforts can enjoy the collective good. 
C)  Small groups are able to offer material incentives, whereas large groups are not. 
D)  Unlike large groups, small groups often receive the help of patrons in recruiting members.

Question 10

Membership in labor unions has increased over the last several decades.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Which of the following can virtually eliminate the free rider problem?

Accepted Answer

A)  a wealthy financier 
B)  electing interest group leaders 
C)  labor unions 
D)  providing collecting goods 
A)  a wealthy financier 
B)  electing interest group leaders 
C)  labor unions 
D)  providing collecting goods

Question 12

According to Madison in Federalist No.10,how does the Constitution overcome the problem of factions?

Accepted Answer

A)  by restricting private property rights 
B)  by decentralizing power across the national and state governments and across three branches of government 
C)  by discouraging citizens from expressing their political views in public 
D)  by adopting a system of direct democracy that relies on principles of natural law 
A)  by restricting private property rights 
B)  by decentralizing power across the national and state governments and across three branches of government 
C)  by discouraging citizens from expressing their political views in public 
D)  by adopting a system of direct democracy that relies on principles of natural law

Question 13

An environmental group works to pass legislation that would decrease air pollution.An individual who does not contribute to the group but nonetheless enjoys the benefits of breathing clean air illustrates the __________ problem.

Accepted Answer

The answer of An environmental group works to pass legislation...

Question 14

How is lobbying Congress similar to lobbying the courts?

Accepted Answer

A)  Both involve lobbying related to pending legislation. 
B)  Both involve use of political action committee (PA
C)  contributions to gain access to decision makers. 
C)  Both are commonly used methods of interest groups seeking to influence public policy. 
D)  Both depend on building personal relationships with decision makers. 
A)  Both involve lobbying related to pending legislation. 
B)  Both involve use of political action committee (PA
C)  contributions to gain access to decision makers. 
C)  Both are commonly used methods of interest groups seeking to influence public policy. 
D)  Both depend on building personal relationships with decision makers.

Question 15

Who engages in grassroots lobbying?

Accepted Answer

A)  interest groups 
B)  candidates 
C)  political parties 
D)  lawmakers 
A)  interest groups 
B)  candidates 
C)  political parties 
D)  lawmakers

Question 16

The __________ problem occurs when people fail to join a group because they can receive the benefits the group offers without contributing to the group's efforts.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The __________ problem occurs when people fail...

Question 17

Describe the different types of interest groups and how they have grown.How does the influence of interest groups differ according to the type of group? Discuss the role that interest groups play in elections.

Accepted Answer

An ideal response will:
1.Discuss the gr

Question 18

Union membership is higher among public sector employees than private sector employees.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Economic interest groups engage primarily in grassroots lobbying,whereas public interest groups focus mainly on direct lobbying of government officials.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

In order to overcome the free rider problem,many interest groups offer material benefits.What are material 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 
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 
C)  benefits given only to group members 
D)  campaign contributions to elected officials

Which of the following is an example of the free rider problem?

How do interest groups seek to influence the executive branch?

Which of the following is a tenet of pluralism?

What is an amicus curiae brief?

Which of the following is an activity that lobbyists regularly engage in?

Distinguish between public interest groups and economic groups.Provide examples of each.

One way that interest groups can influence court cases they are interested in is by filing a(n)__________.

You are the leader of a consumer rights group that has been unable to get attention for your cause using traditional lobbying tactics.What might you try next?

Why do small interest groups have an easier time enrolling potential members than do large interest groups?

Membership in labor unions has increased over the last several decades.

Which of the following can virtually eliminate the free rider problem?

According to Madison in Federalist No.10,how does the Constitution overcome the problem of factions?

An environmental group works to pass legislation that would decrease air pollution.An individual who does not contribute to the group but nonetheless enjoys the benefits of breathing clean air illustrates the __________ problem.

How is lobbying Congress similar to lobbying the courts?

Who engages in grassroots lobbying?

The __________ problem occurs when people fail to join a group because they can receive the benefits the group offers without contributing to the group's efforts.

Describe the different types of interest groups and how they have grown.How does the influence of interest groups differ according to the type of group? Discuss the role that interest groups play in elections.

Union membership is higher among public sector employees than private sector employees.

Economic interest groups engage primarily in grassroots lobbying,whereas public interest groups focus mainly on direct lobbying of government officials.

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

American Government: Roots, context, and Culture

The Constitution

The Federal System

Civil Liberties

Civil Rights

Congress

The Presidency

The Executive Branch and the Federal Bureaucracy

The Judiciary

Public Opinion and Political Socialization

Political Parties

Elections and Voting

The Campaign Process

The News Media

Domestic Policy

Economic Policy

Foreign and Defense Policy

Filters

Exam 15: Interest Groups

Which of the following is an example of the free rider problem?

How do interest groups seek to influence the executive branch?

Which of the following is a tenet of pluralism?

What is an amicus curiae brief?

Which of the following is an activity that lobbyists regularly engage in?

Distinguish between public interest groups and economic groups.Provide examples of each.

One way that interest groups can influence court cases they are interested in is by filing a(n)__________.

You are the leader of a consumer rights group that has been unable to get attention for your cause using traditional lobbying tactics.What might you try next?

Why do small interest groups have an easier time enrolling potential members than do large interest groups?

Membership in labor unions has increased over the last several decades.

Which of the following can virtually eliminate the free rider problem?

According to Madison in Federalist No.10,how does the Constitution overcome the problem of factions?

An environmental group works to pass legislation that would decrease air pollution.An individual who does not contribute to the group but nonetheless enjoys the benefits of breathing clean air illustrates the __________ problem.

How is lobbying Congress similar to lobbying the courts?

Who engages in grassroots lobbying?

The __________ problem occurs when people fail to join a group because they can receive the benefits the group offers without contributing to the group's efforts.

Describe the different types of interest groups and how they have grown.How does the influence of interest groups differ according to the type of group? Discuss the role that interest groups play in elections.

Union membership is higher among public sector employees than private sector employees.

Economic interest groups engage primarily in grassroots lobbying,whereas public interest groups focus mainly on direct lobbying of government officials.

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

American Government: Roots, context, and Culture

The Constitution

The Federal System

Civil Liberties

Civil Rights

Congress

The Presidency

The Executive Branch and the Federal Bureaucracy

The Judiciary

Public Opinion and Political Socialization

Political Parties

Elections and Voting

The Campaign Process

The News Media

Domestic Policy

Economic Policy

Foreign and Defense Policy

Filters