Deck 10: Interest Groups

Question 1

In general, lobbying involves policy changes that will help a small fraction of the population at the expense of everyone else.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

The key difference between a mass association and a peak association is in how centralized the organization is.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

In 2010 and 2011, financial institutions such as Sallie Mae and Citibank worked together to lobby against reform of what industry?

A) mortgages
B) stock trading
C) student loans
D) oil futures
E) transportation

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Although people constitute a useful resource for interest groups, a group's impact can be limited by the need to motivate members to participate in politics.

Question 5

In a situation known as the "revolving door," the people most qualified to work in a particular field are likely to have a conflict of interest when they move between government and an interest group.

Question 6

One reason that interest groups originate and form is to counter the efforts of those with competing interests who already formed an interest group.

Question 7

When an interest group contacts a public official and tries to influence public policy, it is engaged in:

A) electioneering.
B) lobbying.
C) pluralism.
D) external strategy.
E) collusion.

Question 8

Very few Americans, other than the rich and powerful, belong to interest groups or have groups that lobby on their behalf.

Question 9

There are many groups of people who have similar political interests but who do not have interest group representation because they remain unorganized.

Question 10

A group that uses its website to generate and send 10,000 e-mails to a representative is engaged in "astroturf lobbying."

Question 11

An interest group is best defined as an organization that:

A) influences policy by running candidates for office.
B) watches over government for the purpose of informing the public.
C) tries to influence public policy for a group of people with common interests.
D) sets rules for the government to follow.
E) only represents the rich and powerful.

Question 12

Lobbying not only involves using reports and information but can also include protests.

Question 13

The authors of the textbook argue that interest groups are:

A) often a source of policy expertise.
B) a threat to democracy because they are tools of the rich and powerful.
C) protected by the Constitution but were never thought of or considered by the Founders.
D) necessary because political parties have failed.
E) superior to political parties in bringing people with different interests together.

Question 14

Because 501(c)(3) organizations are unregulated and are allowed to engage in any political activity, they are a popular vehicle for interest groups in elections.

Question 15

Reports, protests, and informal meetings are all examples of what?

A) insider strategies
B) pluralism
C) collusion
D) electioneering
E) lobbying

Question 16

The American Automobile Association (AAA) overcomes the problem of free riding by offering selective incentives, such as car trouble services and discounts at hotels and restaurants.

Question 17

The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) is an example of a citizen group.

Question 18

The logic of collective action makes it clear that people will automatically form groups when they have a common interest.

Question 19

It is legal for an interest group's employees or members to lobby on the group's behalf.

Question 20

Providers of student loans were able to prevent reforms to the system from occurring in 2011.

Question 21

Who spends the most on lobbying?

A) protest movements like Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party
B) environmental groups like the Sierra Club and labor organizations like the AFL-CIO
C) Hollywood celebrities and movie producers
D) foreign governments
E) corporations like General Electric and other business groups

Question 22

Although a centralized group can employ its resources ________, it can face significant challenges in ________.

A) efficiently; being effective
B) effectively; being efficient
C) efficiently; learning what its members want
D) effectively; learning what its members want
E) throughout the nation; raising enough money to afford to do so

Question 23

One view of American government is that Americans participate in politics primarily through interest groups. This is known as:

A) representation.
B) elitism.
C) pluralism.
D) free riding.
E) the interest group state.

Question 24

The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) is an example of:

A) a labor group.
B) a trade association.
C) a citizens' group.
D) a private group.
E) a professional association.

Question 25

Many mass organizations, such as MoveOn.org, try to get their members involved in the lobbying process through:

A) door-to-door canvassing.
B) personal phone calls by celebrities sympathetic to the group's cause.
C) online courses that train members to become professional lobbyists.
D) the group's Web page that helps people send letters to the editor of various national and local newspapers.
E) selective incentives, such as discounts at restaurants, in exchange for a member's agreement to write a letter to the member's elected representative.

Question 26

What is one advantage of a confederal group structure?

A) The group can use its resources more effectively.
B) The group can cut down on costs.
C) The group can overcome the free rider problem more easily.
D) The group has more influence with Congress.
E) The group can find out what members want more easily.

Question 27

In America ________ run candidates for office, while ________ do not have an official position on the ballot.

A) interest groups; political parties
B) social movements; interest groups
C) political parties; interest groups
D) interest groups; caucuses
E) political parties; caucuses

Question 28

Why has the number of interest groups gone up dramatically in the pasty 50 years?

A) The courts have tried to stay out of political decisions, making lobbying Congress
More important.
B) The average income of most Americans has gone up faster than inflation, giving people more money to donate to interest groups.
C) Money has become less important in politics due to the public funding of elections.
D) The size of the federal government and the types of issues it has involved itself in has increased substantially.
E) Congress has increased in size thus allowing for more lobbying opportunities.

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT a factor in the increased number of interest groups and lobbyists over time?

A) Television and the Internet make it easier for people to discover their common interests.
B) Group proliferation is self-perpetuating: as one group forms on one side of a policy question, another group is likely to form on the other side.
C) Members of Congress run for reelection and spend more time in office than ever before, making Congress more susceptible to lobbyists.
D) Cell phones, e-mail, social networking, and other forms of electronic communication enable geographically dispersed groups to organize and implement lobbying strategies.
E) The federal government does so many things that many individuals, organizations, and corporations have strong incentives for lobbying.

Question 30

When an interest group's leadership is concentrated in its headquarters, it has a ________ organizational structure.

A) centralized
B) latent
C) confederal
D) peak association
E) mass association

Question 31

The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA) comprises 50 largely independent state-level organizations that provide membership benefits to car dealers. NIADA is an example of a group with a ________ organizational structure.

A) centralized
B) latent
C) confederal
D) peak association
E) mass association

Question 32

What does it mean when someone describes the United States as an interest group state?

A) Interest groups influence most public policy decisions.
B) Most Americans participate in politics primarily through interest groups.
C) Most interest groups are not in an organized state.
D) Interest groups are typically organized around a narrow interest.
E) There are interest groups in all 50 states.

Question 33

The Family Research Council, which lobbies on behalf of a wide range of policies from gay marriage to estate taxes, is an example of a(n):

A) citizen group.
B) labor organization.
C) corporation.
D) single-issue group.
E) trade association.

Question 34

The Sierra Club, which has more than 750,000 members who each pay annual dues of about $30, is an example of a(n):

A) social movement.
B) citizens' movement.
C) elite association.
D) peak association.
E) mass association.

Question 35

The Business Industry Political Action Committee (BIPAC), which is an association of several hundred businesses and trade associations, is an example of a(n):

A) social movement.
B) citizens' movement.
C) elite association.
D) peak association.
E) mass association.

Question 36

Lobbying in general is anti-majoritarian because:

A) lobbying is not mentioned anywhere in the U.S. Constitution.
B) lobbying is inconsistent with democratic principles.
C) groups tend to lobby for changes that help a small fraction of the population.
D) only those groups with large sums of money are able to influence the political process.
E) once a group represents the majority it becomes a political party instead.

Question 37

Which of the following is NOT a regulation that interest groups must follow?

A) Interest groups who intend on lobbying Congress must receive a permit from the Supreme Court first.
B) Most executive and legislative branch employees who leave government for a group cannot lobby their former office for at least a year.
C) A group that engages in lobbying must file annual reports identifying its clients and specifying how much each client paid.
D) Groups must file reports listing staff members who spent more than 20 percent of their time lobbying Congress.
E) Former U.S. House and Senate members must wait two years after leaving office before they can lobby Congress.

Question 38

How do interest groups and political parties influence government policy?

A) Interest groups have direct influence, while political parties have indirect influence.
B) Interest groups have indirect influence, while political parties have direct influence.
C) Both interest groups and political parties have direct influence.
D) Neither interest groups nor political parties have direct influence.
E) Interest groups are not allowed to influence the government by law.

Question 39

What does the term "revolving door" refer to?

A) the nature of interest group influence in Washington
B) movement of personnel between the government and interest groups
C) the policy expertise of interest group staff members
D) individuals who move between the private sector and interest groups
E) the frequent firing and rehiring of staff in the interest group community

Question 40

Which of the following is a characteristic of mass associations?

A) Members are individuals who often pay dues.
B) Members always have a direct say in selecting group leadership.
C) Members are businesses and other organizations.
D) Membership is dominated by ideologically extreme individuals.
E) Membership tends to be concentrated in one state.

Question 41

Interest groups sometimes draft legislative proposals. They are most likely to give these proposals to:

A) legislators who oppose their cause to try to win converts to their group's side.
B) legislators who already support their cause and who have significant
Influence in Congress.
C) legislators who are undecided about matters that affect the group.
D) newly elected members of Congress, because new members are the most
Easily persuadable.
E) other competing interest groups in an effort to build a bipartisan coalition.

Question 42

Why might we want to regulate the use of the revolving door?

A) Too many donations to an interest group can be a sign of corruption.
B) It is easier to lobby the executive branch because of the number of bureaucrats.
C) Government officials might give lobbyists what they want in exchange for a future job.
D) Centralized interest groups have an easier time lobbying because they are more efficient.
E) Groups might find it too easy to overcome the free rider problem.

Question 43

You are working on a group project with three other students. The instructor has announced that everyone in the group will get the same grade. One student, Patrick, decides not to do the work and to instead rely on the rest of you to get a good grade. In this case the grade is an example of a(n) ________, while Patrick is an example of a(n) ________.

A) selective incentive; lobbyist
B) public good; free rider
C) selective incentive; free rider
D) public good; lobbyist
E) solidary benefit; member

Question 44

Allan volunteers for an interest group because he believes in the group's cause and he feels good helping them try to achieve it. This is an example of what?

A) solidary benefits
B) selective incentives
C) public goods
D) informational benefits
E) purposive benefits

Question 45

Which types of benefits can a group provide to overcome the free rider problem?

A) tangible, selective, or private benefits
B) solidary, purposive, or selective benefits
C) emotional, selective, or tangible benefits
D) educational, private, or purposive benefits
E) material, private, or tangible benefits

Question 46

Why might we NOT want to prevent people from using the revolving door?

A) It helps groups overcome the free rider problem.
B) It helps confederal groups be more efficient.
C) It helps the Federal Election Commission monitor donations to groups and candidates.
D) It helps counterbalance judicial and executive branch power.
E) It ensures that those with policy knowledge stay involved in government.

Question 47

Lobbyists contact executive branch bureaucrats because:

A) doing so provides them with vital access to the president.
B) the executive branch determines whether laws are constitutional or not.
C) executive branch bureaucrats provide lobbyists with most of their policy research.
D) executive branch bureaucrats create the federal budget, which ultimately affects virtually every interest group.
E) executive branch bureaucrats change the ways regulations are written and policies are implemented.

Question 48

Which of the following are tactics used by a group conducting an inside strategy?

A) working with other groups, litigating, and mobilizing public opinion
B) drafting legislation, conducting research, and working with other groups
C) electioneering, grassroots lobbying, and using the initiative process
D) using political action committees, mobilizing public opinion, and testifying before Congress
E) astroturf lobbying, mobilizing public opinion, and drafting legislation

Question 49

A(n) ________ focuses on tactics used in Washington, while a(n) ________ focuses on working outside of Washington to accomplish policy goals.

A) inside strategy; lobbying strategy
B) outside strategy; lobbying strategy
C) inside strategy; outside strategy
D) outside strategy; inside strategy
E) lobbying strategy; outside strategy

Question 50

Why do lobbying firms often hire former members of Congress?

A) Powerful party leaders pressure lobbying firms to do so.
B) Former members of Congress will work more cheaply because of their
Government pension.
C) Doing so makes it less likely that the group will be audited or investigated by federal agencies like the Internal Revenue Service.
D) Former members of Congress can provide the group with important information, such as what kinds of policies individual legislators will support.
E) Former members of Congress are typically wealthy and willing to contribute large sums of money to the lobbying firm when hired.

Question 51

One of the most effective ways that labor unions overcome the free rider problem is through:

A) protests and strikes.
B) the altruism of workers.
C) union campaign donations or material benefits provided to members of Congress.
D) advertisements featuring celebrities who encourage workers to join unions.
E) coercion or laws requiring workers to pay union dues as a condition of employment.

Question 52

By joining the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), you receive travel and insurance discounts. These discounts are an example of what?

A) solidary benefits
B) selective incentives
C) public goods
D) informational benefits
E) purposive benefits

Question 53

Why is it challenging for interest groups to use people as a resource?

A) Political parties often take away volunteers from interest groups.
B) Motivating members to participate can be difficult.
C) Many people in interest groups simply do not follow politics.
D) Most people in interest groups are untrusting of government.
E) Elected officials usually ignore people who seem to be engaging in politics because they have been prompted to do so by an interest group.

Question 54

The key to direct lobbying is to focus on:

A) converting opponents into supporters.
B) undecided legislators.
C) legislators who already share the group's policy goals.
D) legislators who are willing to accept campaign contributions.
E) legislators who are ambitious and seek higher office in the future.

Question 55

Interest groups often prepare research reports for all of the following reasons EXCEPT:

A) to sway public opinion.
B) to persuade elected officials.
C) to help interest group staff claim expertise on an aspect of public policy.
D) to help raise money for the group.
E) to influence journalists, who are more likely to respond to a group's requests for publicity if they think the group has evidence supporting its claims.

Question 56

Inside strategies usually involve which of the following tactics?

A) direct lobbying
B) electioneering
C) grassroots lobbying
D) marches on Washington to protest and engage in civil disobedience
E) attempting to influence elected officials through their constituents

Question 57

How does the logic of the prisoner's dilemma apply to interest groups?

A) It explains why interest groups are not very successful in changing policy.
B) It explains why interest groups are so very influential.
C) It explains why forming and maintaining interest groups is difficult.
D) It explains why there are so many different types of interest groups.
E) It explains why there are some interest groups in society like labor unions.

Question 58

Which of the following describes a peak association?

A) composed of several independent local and state offices
B) made up of businesses or other organizations rather than individuals
C) based out of a centralized headquarters rather than having locations throughout
The country
D) made up of a large number of dues-paying individuals as members
E) focused on one narrow, specific issue

Question 59

The free rider problem is a problem with the provision of what kinds of goods?

A) purposive
B) solidary
C) private
D) public
E) material

Question 60

Even when there is a group of people who share policy goals, it is possible that there is no interest group representing them. This usually occurs because:

A) laws prevent interest groups from organizing.
B) forming and maintaining a group presents numerous hurdles and obstacles.
C) preexisting organizations will co-opt the issue to expand their membership base.
D) the group has no financial support from large donors.
E) political parties already represent virtually all of the interests in society.

Question 61

For a group to take advantage of grassroots lobbying, which of the following characteristics is essential?

A) a large number of members
B) a good media strategy
C) a good legal team
D) a political action committee that organizes voters
E) a charismatic leader who can "rally the troops"

Question 62

Which of the following is a concern about how interest groups use the ballot initiative process?

A) It is generally a waste of the group's time, effort, and resources.
B) It allows states to undermine federal law.
C) It circumvents the legislators who are supposed to represent voters.
D) It favors groups with many monetary resources.
E) It is used mainly as a pressure tactic to show politicians that interest groups do not need them and can usurp their power.

Question 63

The biggest drawback for an interest group in pursuing litigation is that:

A) litigation is often time-consuming and costly.
B) litigation can be overturned by future court decisions.
C) the federal court system refuses to hear cases with interest groups as participants.
D) Americans tend to look down on groups that bring politics into the courts.
E) few groups have access to legal expertise.

Question 64

Why do interest groups sometimes form coalitions to work for the same policy goal?

A) Policy makers are more likely to respond to large coalitions with a diverse membership.
B) The president responds to coalitions and can then put pressure on Congress.
C) Coalitions of groups can often make up a majority of Americans and create pressure through elections.
D) Coalitions allow groups to exploit loopholes in campaign finance laws.
E) Coalitions of groups are effective because they are more likely to draw controversy and subsequent media coverage of their issues of concern.

Question 65

When an interest group files an amicus curiae brief, it is trying to influence policy through:

A) drafting regulations.
B) testimony.
C) litigation.
D) drafting laws.
E) congressional hearings and investigations.

Question 66

All of the following are consequences of the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission EXCEPT:

A) Super political action committees (Super PACs) emerged as a new option
For electioneering.
B) Corporations may spend unlimited sums of money in federal elections if the expenditures are made independent of the candidate.
C) Labor unions may spend unlimited sums of money in federal elections if the expenditures are made independent of the candidate.
D) The 501(c)(4) groups became an increasingly attractive vehicle for businesses
To electioneer.
E) Wealthy individuals are now allowed to give unlimited amounts of money directly to a candidate running for federal office.

Question 67

Coalitions sometimes present problems for groups because:

A) groups may agree on general goals but disagree on specifics.
B) group leaders almost never want to share power with others.
C) the different agendas of various groups often create a confused message on the issue that groups are working on together.
D) research shows that Republicans in Congress will not support an issue-even one backed by conservative groups-if it is supported by a liberal group as well.
E) research shows that Democrats in Congress will not support an issue-even one backed by liberal groups-if it is supported by a conservative group as well.

Question 68

What is a common goal of mass protests?

A) to draw media attention to help publicize the group's goals
B) to create public confusion about a controversial issue
C) to generate enough anger for a recall election
D) to reduce political apathy among most citizens and improve the democratic process
E) to undermine American values and the American political system

Question 69

What does the word "Super" refer to in "Super PAC"?

A) the number of donors
B) the amount of money the group takes in and spends
C) the ability to keep the identity of donors a secret
D) that these groups do not engage in electioneering
E) that the group was formed before 2010

Question 70

Groups who donate money to candidates for office are engaged in:

A) electioneering.
B) using the revolving door.
C) inside strategies.
D) free riding.
E) astroturf lobbying.

Question 71

Which of the following are tactics used by a group conducting an outside strategy?

A) working with other groups, litigating, and mobilizing public opinion
B) drafting legislation, conducting research, and working with other groups
C) electioneering, grassroots lobbying, and using the initiative process
D) using political action committees, mobilizing public opinion, and testifying
Before Congress
E) astroturf lobbying, mobilizing public opinion, and drafting legislation

Question 72

Which type of group is NOT allowed to participate in any political activities or lobbying except for certain limited exceptions?

A) political action committees
B) 527 organizations
C) 501(c)(3) organizations
D) 501(c)(4) organizations
E) All of these groups are allowed to participate in political activities and lobbying without restrictions.

Question 73

A group that can raise money for the purpose of contributing to candidates or spending on campaigns is known as a(n):

A) political action committee.
B) 501(c) organization.
C) economic group.
D) peak association.
E) issue advocacy group.

Question 74

Astroturf lobbying is sometimes ineffective because:

A) it is considered an outdated practice.
B) citizens generally make poor lobbyists.
C) elected officials often do not take the opinions of average citizens seriously.
D) interest groups often fail to take advantage of the latest communications technology.
E) elected officials do not believe it reflects the mainstream views of their constituents.

Question 75

Astroturf lobbying occurs when:

A) group members spontaneously contact policy makers.
B) a group lobbies members of Congress in their home districts.
C) a group organizes a large number of contacts with policy makers by regular people.
D) a group organizes a contacting effort directed at policy makers, but it tries to make the effort look spontaneous.
E) a group organizes its efforts like a football team with ground (that is, grassroots) and air (that is, advertising) attacks.

Question 76

The legislature of your state would like to pass a tax increase. The legislature decides to put the tax increase on the ballot in November for all registered voters to consider. This is an example of a(n):

A) initiative.
B) recall.
C) solidary benefit.
D) free rider.
E) referendum.

Question 77

What is grassroots lobbying?

A) whipping up public opinion through media contacts
B) attempting to change what the public thinks about an issue
C) using group members to contact legislators
D) using group members to create chaos through mass protest and civil disobedience
E) using professionals, who appear to be ordinary citizens, to contact legislators

Question 78

What is the primary difference between a traditional political action committee (PAC) and a 527 organization?

A) There are no major differences.
B) Unlike PACs, 527s are not subject to contribution limits and spending caps.
C) PACs can spend money only on advertising, while 527s can only make donations
To candidates.
D) The money given to 527s is tax deductible, while the money given to PACs is not.
E) PACs are not regulated by the government, while 527 groups must answer to both the Federal Election Commission and the Internal Revenue Service.

Question 79

Astroturf lobbying is sometimes effective because:

A) most elected officials are older and can be fooled by technology.
B) interest groups invest huge sums of money into astroturf lobbying.
C) educated citizens understand politics best and are the most likely to participate in astroturf lobbying.
D) it sometimes involves large numbers of participants, forcing elected officials to
Pay attention.
E) like a balanced and successful football team, it combines both an "air"
And a "ground" attack.

Question 80

When an interest group puts a policy proposal on a general election ballot at the state level, it is using the ________ process.

A) electioneering
B) "late train"
C) referendum
D) initiative
E) recall election