Question 1

When paid staff conduct most of the daily business of a group, that group is best described as a

Accepted Answer

A)  staff organization. 
B)  free-rider group. 
C)  lobbyist firm. 
D)  PAC. 
E)  527 committee. 
A)  staff organization. 
B)  free-rider group. 
C)  lobbyist firm. 
D)  PAC. 
E)  527 committee.

Question 2

Alexis de Tocqueville argued that the proliferation of groups promoted

Accepted Answer

A)  tyranny of the majority. 
B)  undemocratic elitism. 
C)  governmental responsiveness. 
D)  assimilation of immigrants. 
E)  economic equality. 
A)  tyranny of the majority. 
B)  undemocratic elitism. 
C)  governmental responsiveness. 
D)  assimilation of immigrants. 
E)  economic equality.

Question 3

Which of the following is not a key organizational component of interest groups?

Accepted Answer

A)  members 
B)  money 
C)  leadership 
D)  newsletter and website 
E)  an agency or office 
A)  members 
B)  money 
C)  leadership 
D)  newsletter and website 
E)  an agency or office

Question 4

One way that the AARP has been effective at overcoming the free-rider problem is by providing ______ benefits to its members.

Accepted Answer

A)  selective 
B)  elective 
C)  free-rider 
D)  pluralism 
E)  public good 
A)  selective 
B)  elective 
C)  free-rider 
D)  pluralism 
E)  public good

Question 5

Which of the following groups would be considered part of the New Politics movement?

Accepted Answer

A)  the Christian Coalition 
B)  the AFL-CIO 
C)  the Sierra Club 
D)  the Democratic Party 
E)  the Republican Party 
A)  the Christian Coalition 
B)  the AFL-CIO 
C)  the Sierra Club 
D)  the Democratic Party 
E)  the Republican Party

Question 6

How can interest groups use litigation as a strategy of influence?

Accepted Answer

A)  filing amici curiae briefs, financing lawsuits, and bringing a suit on behalf of the group 
B)  directly lobbying judges, using direct-mail solicitations, and making campaign contributions to members of Congress 
C)  engaging in institutional advertising, activating issue networks, and directly lobbying judges 
D)  breaking apart iron triangles, directly lobbying judges, and starting PACs 
E)  working with 527 committees, directly lobbying judges, and engaging in institutional advertising 
A)  filing amici curiae briefs, financing lawsuits, and bringing a suit on behalf of the group 
B)  directly lobbying judges, using direct-mail solicitations, and making campaign contributions to members of Congress 
C)  engaging in institutional advertising, activating issue networks, and directly lobbying judges 
D)  breaking apart iron triangles, directly lobbying judges, and starting PACs 
E)  working with 527 committees, directly lobbying judges, and engaging in institutional advertising

Question 7

Interest groups most effectively serve

Accepted Answer

A)  the working classes. 
B)  the powerless. 
C)  the upper classes. 
D)  government bureaucrats. 
E)  racial and ethnic minorities. 
A)  the working classes. 
B)  the powerless. 
C)  the upper classes. 
D)  government bureaucrats. 
E)  racial and ethnic minorities.

Question 8

Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between lobbyists and Congress in recent years?

Accepted Answer

A)  The relationship between Congress and lobbyists has become distant and strained. 
B)  The relationship between lobbyists and Congress has become so close that many have argued that lobbyists have become like staff members to the Republican leadership. 
C)  Lobbyists are more heavily relied on for information but are less important as sources of campaign contributions. 
D)  Since the breakdown of iron triangles, most successful lobbyists have moved on to state legislatures. 
E)  Lobbyists have abandoned Congress and focused their lobbying efforts on the executive and judicial branches. 
A)  The relationship between Congress and lobbyists has become distant and strained. 
B)  The relationship between lobbyists and Congress has become so close that many have argued that lobbyists have become like staff members to the Republican leadership. 
C)  Lobbyists are more heavily relied on for information but are less important as sources of campaign contributions. 
D)  Since the breakdown of iron triangles, most successful lobbyists have moved on to state legislatures. 
E)  Lobbyists have abandoned Congress and focused their lobbying efforts on the executive and judicial branches.

Question 9

Interest groups are concerned with the ______ of government, while political parties are concerned with the ______ of government.

Accepted Answer

A)  values; goals 
B)  membership; authority 
C)  policies; personnel 
D)  lawfulness; political feasibility 
E)  legitimacy; power 
A)  values; goals 
B)  membership; authority 
C)  policies; personnel 
D)  lawfulness; political feasibility 
E)  legitimacy; power

Question 10

Which of the following has been eliminated as a result of 2002 campaign-finance reforms?

Accepted Answer

A)  PACs 
B)  soft money 
C)  laws limiting the amount a candidate may spend of his or her personal fortune 
D)  interest group lobbying 
E)  grassroots mobilization 
A)  PACs 
B)  soft money 
C)  laws limiting the amount a candidate may spend of his or her personal fortune 
D)  interest group lobbying 
E)  grassroots mobilization

Question 11

In recent years, the religious right has had a great effect on American politics through

Accepted Answer

A)  grassroots mobilization. 
B)  gaining access. 
C)  litigation. 
D)  campaign financing. 
E)  iron triangles. 
A)  grassroots mobilization. 
B)  gaining access. 
C)  litigation. 
D)  campaign financing. 
E)  iron triangles.

Question 12

A PAC can contribute ______ to any candidate for federal office, provided it contributes to at least five different federal candidates each year.

Accepted Answer

A)  $500 
B)  $5,000 
C)  $50,000 
D)  $500,000 
E)  $5,000,000 
A)  $500 
B)  $5,000 
C)  $50,000 
D)  $500,000 
E)  $5,000,000

Question 13

The increased number and importance of interest groups

Accepted Answer

A)  causes a subsequent expansion in government. 
B)  is a response to an increase in the size and activity of government. 
C)  is a response to a decrease in the size and activity of government. 
D)  is a direct result of a more broadly defined First Amendment freedom of association. 
E)  is due to the decline in the United States' multiparty system. 
A)  causes a subsequent expansion in government. 
B)  is a response to an increase in the size and activity of government. 
C)  is a response to a decrease in the size and activity of government. 
D)  is a direct result of a more broadly defined First Amendment freedom of association. 
E)  is due to the decline in the United States' multiparty system.

Question 14

Why is it important for interest groups to offer selective benefits?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is necessary to limit the extent of the free-rider problem. 
B)  If they do not, people will join political parties instead. 
C)  Selective benefits are the only way to measure the success of an interest group. 
D)  If they do not, people will accuse the groups of being antidemocratic. 
E)  Selective benefits allow interest groups to make the profits they need to continue operating. 
A)  It is necessary to limit the extent of the free-rider problem. 
B)  If they do not, people will join political parties instead. 
C)  Selective benefits are the only way to measure the success of an interest group. 
D)  If they do not, people will accuse the groups of being antidemocratic. 
E)  Selective benefits allow interest groups to make the profits they need to continue operating.

Question 15

Which of the following statements about political parties and interest groups is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Political parties have remained nearly unchanged throughout American history while interest groups have become considerably less numerous, active, and influential in recent years. 
B)  Both political parties and interest groups have become much more active and influential in recent years. 
C)  Both political parties and interest groups have become much less active and influential in recent years. 
D)  Political parties have become more influential in recent years, while interest groups have become less numerous, active, and influential. 
E)  Political parties have declined in influence in recent years, while interest groups have become more numerous, active, and influential. 
A)  Political parties have remained nearly unchanged throughout American history while interest groups have become considerably less numerous, active, and influential in recent years. 
B)  Both political parties and interest groups have become much more active and influential in recent years. 
C)  Both political parties and interest groups have become much less active and influential in recent years. 
D)  Political parties have become more influential in recent years, while interest groups have become less numerous, active, and influential. 
E)  Political parties have declined in influence in recent years, while interest groups have become more numerous, active, and influential.

Question 16

Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between New Politics forces and the courts during the 1970s and 1980s?

Accepted Answer

A)  New Politics forces frequently protested court decisions but never engaged in litigation during the 1970s and 1980s. 
B)  New Politics forces did not litigate during the 1970s and 1980s because they were legally barred from bringing cases on behalf of their causes. 
C)  New Politics forces attempted to use the courts during the 1970s and 1980s to pursue their goals but failed to win any significant judicial decisions in their favor. 
D)  New Politics forces chose to completely avoid the courts during the 1970s and 1980s and pursued a strategy aimed at lobbying Congress instead. 
E)  New Politics forces made significant use of the courts during the 1970s and 1980s, and judicial decisions were instrumental in advancing their goals. 
A)  New Politics forces frequently protested court decisions but never engaged in litigation during the 1970s and 1980s. 
B)  New Politics forces did not litigate during the 1970s and 1980s because they were legally barred from bringing cases on behalf of their causes. 
C)  New Politics forces attempted to use the courts during the 1970s and 1980s to pursue their goals but failed to win any significant judicial decisions in their favor. 
D)  New Politics forces chose to completely avoid the courts during the 1970s and 1980s and pursued a strategy aimed at lobbying Congress instead. 
E)  New Politics forces made significant use of the courts during the 1970s and 1980s, and judicial decisions were instrumental in advancing their goals.

Question 17

If one enjoys the benefits of a group's collective efforts but did not contribute to those efforts, one is called a

Accepted Answer

A)  citizen. 
B)  subject. 
C)  free rider. 
D)  lobbyist. 
E)  political activist. 
A)  citizen. 
B)  subject. 
C)  free rider. 
D)  lobbyist. 
E)  political activist.

Question 18

Describe some of the different strategies that interest groups may employ to gain influence on government. What types of interest groups choose what kinds of policies?

Accepted Answer

Interest groups can employ a variety of

Question 19

In the world of lobbyists, to be "Microsofted" has come to mean a company has

Accepted Answer

A)  become vulnerable to adverse legislation and investigation as a result of failing to lobby the federal government. 
B)  only lobbied members of one political party, who have just lost their majority. 
C)  lobbied only the federal government, opening themselves up to adverse actions by state governments. 
D)  allowed other companies to become free riders on their costly lobbying efforts. 
E)  been legally prohibited from lobbying members of Congress as a result of their overuse of PACs. 
A)  become vulnerable to adverse legislation and investigation as a result of failing to lobby the federal government. 
B)  only lobbied members of one political party, who have just lost their majority. 
C)  lobbied only the federal government, opening themselves up to adverse actions by state governments. 
D)  allowed other companies to become free riders on their costly lobbying efforts. 
E)  been legally prohibited from lobbying members of Congress as a result of their overuse of PACs.

Question 20

Grandparents, tall people, and undergraduates are all examples of

Accepted Answer

A)  political parties. 
B)  pluralist interest groups. 
C)  political action committees. 
D)  potential interest groups. 
E)  public interest groups. 
A)  political parties. 
B)  pluralist interest groups. 
C)  political action committees. 
D)  potential interest groups. 
E)  public interest groups.

When paid staff conduct most of the daily business of a group, that group is best described as a

Alexis de Tocqueville argued that the proliferation of groups promoted

Which of the following is not a key organizational component of interest groups?

One way that the AARP has been effective at overcoming the free-rider problem is by providing ______ benefits to its members.

Which of the following groups would be considered part of the New Politics movement?

How can interest groups use litigation as a strategy of influence?

Interest groups most effectively serve

Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between lobbyists and Congress in recent years?

Interest groups are concerned with the of government, while political parties are concerned with the of government.

Which of the following has been eliminated as a result of 2002 campaign-finance reforms?

In recent years, the religious right has had a great effect on American politics through

A PAC can contribute ______ to any candidate for federal office, provided it contributes to at least five different federal candidates each year.

The increased number and importance of interest groups

Why is it important for interest groups to offer selective benefits?

Which of the following statements about political parties and interest groups is most accurate?

Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between New Politics forces and the courts during the 1970s and 1980s?

If one enjoys the benefits of a group's collective efforts but did not contribute to those efforts, one is called a

Describe some of the different strategies that interest groups may employ to gain influence on government. What types of interest groups choose what kinds of policies?

In the world of lobbyists, to be "Microsofted" has come to mean a company has

Grandparents, tall people, and undergraduates are all examples of

American Political Culture

The Founding and the Constitution

Federalism

Civil Liberties

Civil Rights

Public Opinion

The Media

Political Participation and Voting

Political Parties

Campaigns and Elections

Congress

The Presidency

Bureaucracy in a Democracy

The Federal Courts

Filters

Exam 11: Groups and Interests

When paid staff conduct most of the daily business of a group, that group is best described as a

Alexis de Tocqueville argued that the proliferation of groups promoted

Which of the following is not a key organizational component of interest groups?

One way that the AARP has been effective at overcoming the free-rider problem is by providing ______ benefits to its members.

Which of the following groups would be considered part of the New Politics movement?

How can interest groups use litigation as a strategy of influence?

Interest groups most effectively serve

Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between lobbyists and Congress in recent years?

Interest groups are concerned with the ______ of government, while political parties are concerned with the ______ of government.

Which of the following has been eliminated as a result of 2002 campaign-finance reforms?

In recent years, the religious right has had a great effect on American politics through

A PAC can contribute ______ to any candidate for federal office, provided it contributes to at least five different federal candidates each year.

The increased number and importance of interest groups

Why is it important for interest groups to offer selective benefits?

Which of the following statements about political parties and interest groups is most accurate?

Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between New Politics forces and the courts during the 1970s and 1980s?

If one enjoys the benefits of a group's collective efforts but did not contribute to those efforts, one is called a

Describe some of the different strategies that interest groups may employ to gain influence on government. What types of interest groups choose what kinds of policies?

In the world of lobbyists, to be "Microsofted" has come to mean a company has

Grandparents, tall people, and undergraduates are all examples of

American Political Culture

The Founding and the Constitution

Federalism

Civil Liberties

Civil Rights

Public Opinion

The Media

Political Participation and Voting

Political Parties

Campaigns and Elections

Congress

The Presidency

Bureaucracy in a Democracy

The Federal Courts

Filters

Interest groups are concerned with the of government, while political parties are concerned with the of government.