Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 2

Discuss the efforts to reform the student loan process. Which groups were in favor of student loan reform? Which groups were opposed? What ended up happening? What things does this tell us about the influence of interest groups in America?

Accepted Answer

The efforts to reform the student loan process have been ongoing for many years. The main goal of these efforts is to make higher education more affordable and accessible for students. One key aspect of student loan reform has been to lower interest rates on student loans, increase access to income-driven repayment plans, and provide loan forgiveness options for certain individuals.

Groups in favor of student loan reform include student advocacy organizations, educational institutions, and some political parties. These groups argue that high student loan debt is a barrier to higher education and economic mobility for many individuals. They believe that by reforming the student loan process, more students will be able to afford college and pursue their career goals without being burdened by overwhelming debt.

On the other hand, groups opposed to student loan reform often include financial institutions and some conservative political groups. These groups argue that lowering interest rates and increasing loan forgiveness options could have negative impacts on the economy and could lead to increased government spending.

Despite the efforts to reform the student loan process, progress has been slow and limited. While there have been some small changes, such as the introduction of income-driven repayment plans, comprehensive reform has not yet been achieved. This tells us that the influence of interest groups in America is significant and can often hinder or delay efforts to make substantial changes to important policies.

Overall, the debate over student loan reform highlights the influence of interest groups in shaping public policy. It also underscores the challenges of enacting major reforms in a political system where various interest groups have competing priorities and interests.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

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" A

Question 4

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.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

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 6

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

Accepted Answer

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 7

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:

Accepted Answer

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 8

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

Accepted Answer

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 9

What are the different resources available to interest groups? Based on the resources that interest groups possess, do you tend to agree or disagree with the theory of pluralism? That is, do groups with different interests and resources tend to check and balance each other, or do some groups have an advantage over others based on their resources? Use examples to support your argument.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the different resources available to...

Question 10

The theory of bureaucratic capture holds that:

Accepted Answer

A)   interest groups become the tools of bureaucracies.
B)   interest groups influence legislative oversight of the bureaucracy.
C)   bureaucrats' own goals are in danger of being replaced by those of the groups they regulate.
D)   most interest groups are more powerful than bureaucracies.
E)   interest groups often fall victim (or are "captured")  by inefficiencies that come from their own internal bureaucracies.

Question 11

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):

Accepted Answer

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

Question 12

Coalitions sometimes present problems for groups because:

Accepted Answer

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 13

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Why do Americans tend to be suspicious of interest groups? What are the public's concerns about interest groups? Are these concerns valid or not? Give examples to support your argument.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why do Americans tend to be suspicious...

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 17

Which of the following describes a peak association?

Accepted Answer

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 throughoutThe country
D)   made up of a large number of dues-paying individuals as members
E)   focused on one narrow, specific issue

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

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 19

Most interest groups prefer what kinds of issues?

Accepted Answer

A)   low-salience
B)   external
C)   high-salience
D)   referendum
E)   controversial

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

A)   Super political action committees (Super PACs)  emerged as a new optionFor 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 businessesTo electioneer.
E)   Wealthy individuals are now allowed to give unlimited amounts of money directly to a candidate running for federal office.

Exam 10: Interest Groups

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

Discuss the efforts to reform the student loan process. Which groups were in favor of student loan reform? Which groups were opposed? What ended up happening? What things does this tell us about the influence of interest groups in America?

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

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.

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

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

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:

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

The theory of bureaucratic capture holds that:

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) :

Coalitions sometimes present problems for groups because:

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

Why do Americans tend to be suspicious of interest groups? What are the public's concerns about interest groups? Are these concerns valid or not? Give examples to support your argument.

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

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

Which of the following describes a peak association?

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

Most interest groups prefer what kinds of issues?

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