Question 1

__________ are organizations that seek to influence public policy.

Accepted Answer

Interest groups

Question 2

Why is the outside strategy of "organizing the district" particularly effective?

Accepted Answer

An ideal response will:
1. Describe what is involved in "organizing the district," namely, convincing a group's members in a state or district to put pressure on their members of Congress and contacting important opinion leaders and campaign contributors in the district.
2. Explain that this strategy is effective because members of Congress are attuned to individuals and groups in their states or districts who can affect their reelection prospects.

Question 3

Critics of pluralism have noted that __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   government decisions reflect the balance of competing interests in society
B)   resources and political power are unequally distributed within society
C)   individuals with shared grievances always form interest groups to press their demands upon government
D)   government is too responsive to the demands of interest groups
E)   the formation of one group typically stimulates the formation of an opposing group B

Question 4

In Federalist No. 10, Madison expressed concerns about what he called "factions." What are some examples of modern-day factions, and is it true that these factions pursue their self-interest at the expense of the broader public interest, as Madison assumed?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In Federalist No. 10, Madison expressed concerns...

Question 5

What is a trade association?

Accepted Answer

A)   a coalition of public interest groups in a specific policy area, such as environmental policy
B)   an organization that coordinates exchanges of information and resources among multiple interest groups
C)   a type of labor union
D)   an organization that represents businesses within a specific industry
E)   an organization that represents the federal government during the negotiation of international trade agreements

Question 6

Why are campaign contributions so important for interest groups seeking to influence government?

Accepted Answer

A)   Legislators only grant meetings with interest groups that offer campaign contributions.
B)   Campaign contributions help elect candidates who are friendly to groups' goals.
C)   Groups can offer contributions in return for favorable votes on pending legislation.
D)   Organizations seeking to offer input on a political party's platform are required to make campaign contributions.
E)   There are very few restrictions on campaign contributions, compared to restrictions on lobbying.

Question 7

Reformers have tried to regulate some of the most troublesome abuses of the politics of factions, and one practice that has been targeted is the so-called __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Reformers have tried to regulate some of...

Question 8

Given that members of Congress often lack technical expertise in particular policy areas, they depend on lobbyists to supply them with __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Given that members of Congress often lack...

Question 9

Which of the following statements, if true, would undermine the idea of pluralism?

Accepted Answer

A)   Members of Congress have become increasingly dependent on political action committee (PA
C)   contributions to fund their campaigns.
B)   Political action committees (PACs)  are not always successful in securing favorable government policies.
C)   Membership in labor unions has decreased over the past several decades.
D)   Individuals with shared grievances do not always come together to form interest groups.
E)   The number of interest groups with lobbyists in Washington, D.C., has increased over the past several decades.

Question 10

Discuss Madison's views on factions, as expressed in Federalist No. 10, and how he would respond to the tremendous growth in the number of interest groups actively lobbying in Washington, D.C., over the past several decades.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss Madison's views on factions, as expressed...

Question 11

Which of the following best defines the term disturbance theory?

Accepted Answer

A)   when factional interests influence individual rights and disturb the collective well-being of the country
B)   when individuals feel threatened by changes in the economic, social, or political environment changes and form interest groups
C)   when many members of a population attempt to benefit from some sort of activity or a policy that activity is trying to influence, even if they did not actively participate in the effort
D)   when multiple groups and interest make demands on government, and government ignores the demands
E)   when PACs exert disproportionate influence on elections or public policy

Question 12

Most politically active organizations use lobbying to make their interests known to government officials.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Once a bill becomes law, lobbyists typically leave the implementation up to the executive branch.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

There is wide agreement that the number of interest groups in the United States has grown steadily since the late 1960s. Why is this so? Do you believe the number of interest groups will continue to grow over the next few decades? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of There is wide agreement that the number...

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of One way that interest groups can influence...

Question 16

A pluralist would view the presence and activities of lobbyists in Washington, D.C., as harmful to the functioning of our political system.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Because of federalism, checks and balances, and the separation of powers, access to public officials is relatively easy in the United States.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

How might you characterize the difference between inside lobbying and outside lobbying?

Accepted Answer

A)   Inside lobbying focuses on reelecting incumbent candidates, while outside lobbying pursues the election of challengers.
B)   Inside lobbying most often occurs with members of Congress and their staff, while outside lobbyists focus primarily on the executive branch.
C)   Inside lobbying occurs within the power structures of Washington, while outside lobbying is driven by individuals who are "outside" the political system.
D)   Inside lobbyists advocate directly with decision makers in government, while outside lobbyists seek to influence opinion and stimulate action by the general public.
E)   Inside lobbyists file briefs or pursue litigation, while outside lobbyists focus primarily on public demonstrations and rallies.

Question 19

A central aspect of grassroots lobbying discussed in the text is __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   using high-paid professionals to contact legislators
B)   getting the media to cover an issue
C)   mobilizing local constituencies
D)   using campaign contributions to influence elections
E)   testifying at government hearings

Question 20

What is a public interest group?

Accepted Answer

A)   a group that conducts research and analysis on public policy issues
B)   a group that expresses its political views publicly
C)   a group that works to gain benefits for society as a whole
D)   a group that most people in society are aware of
E)   a group that represents workers within a particular industry

Exam 7: Interest Groups and Business Organizations

__________ are organizations that seek to influence public policy.

Why is the outside strategy of "organizing the district" particularly effective?

Critics of pluralism have noted that __________.

In Federalist No. 10, Madison expressed concerns about what he called "factions." What are some examples of modern-day factions, and is it true that these factions pursue their self-interest at the expense of the broader public interest, as Madison assumed?

What is a trade association?

Why are campaign contributions so important for interest groups seeking to influence government?

Reformers have tried to regulate some of the most troublesome abuses of the politics of factions, and one practice that has been targeted is the so-called __________.

Given that members of Congress often lack technical expertise in particular policy areas, they depend on lobbyists to supply them with __________.

Which of the following statements, if true, would undermine the idea of pluralism?

Discuss Madison's views on factions, as expressed in Federalist No. 10, and how he would respond to the tremendous growth in the number of interest groups actively lobbying in Washington, D.C., over the past several decades.

Which of the following best defines the term disturbance theory?

Most politically active organizations use lobbying to make their interests known to government officials.

Once a bill becomes law, lobbyists typically leave the implementation up to the executive branch.

There is wide agreement that the number of interest groups in the United States has grown steadily since the late 1960s. Why is this so? Do you believe the number of interest groups will continue to grow over the next few decades? Why or why not?

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

A pluralist would view the presence and activities of lobbyists in Washington, D.C., as harmful to the functioning of our political system.

Because of federalism, checks and balances, and the separation of powers, access to public officials is relatively easy in the United States.

How might you characterize the difference between inside lobbying and outside lobbying?

A central aspect of grassroots lobbying discussed in the text is __________.

What is a public interest group?