Deck 10: Interest Groups

Question 1

Questions 6 and 7 refer to the following image. Credit: Adam Zyglis/The Buffalo News/Cagle Cartoons,Inc.
Based on the cartoon,which of the following do elitists generally argue?

A)all legitimate groups are able to affect public policy by one means or another.- Consider This: Actually,pluralism argues this,elitism argues that one group holds the power.
B)corporations hold tremendous power
C)the American political terrain is characterized by a dispersion of power
D)the government is run for the benefit of all the people

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Questions 12 and 13 refer to the following graph. Source: Federal Election Commission,PAC Contributions,2016.
NOTE: Data for 2016 are through June 30,2016.
Based on the graph,which of the following statements about campaign contributions made by corporate PACs to candidates for the U.S.House of Representatives is true?

A)In each race,corporate PACs direct their donations to support whichever candidate most closely shares their ideological values.
B)Corporate PACs give most of their contributions to Democrats.-Consider This: Corporate PACs give to each political party.
C)A majority of corporate PAC contributions to House candidates go to the candidates of the majority party.
D)Corporate PACs give most of their money to those running for open seats.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Which of the following raise money from individuals and then distribute it in the form of contributions to political candidates?

A)527 organizations.-Consider This: 527's cannot advocate for specific candidates,coordinate with any candidate's campaign contribute directly to candidates.
B)coordinating committees
C)iron triangles
D)Political Action Committees (PACs)

Answer 3

D

Question 4

What is a Political Action Committee (PAC)?

A)an organization within a political party that coordinates campaign events.- Consider This: Political action committees are groups outside a political party and are not supposed to coordinate activities with a political party.
B)an organization that focuses on grassroots lobbying
C)an organization that conducts voter registration drives
D)an organization that solicits campaign contributions from like-minded individuals and distributes them to political candidates

Question 5

Which of the following is an organization of people with shared policy goals entering the policy process at several points to try to achieve those goals?

A)corporation.-Consider This: A corporation is a business entity that is formed to maximize profits in a sector of the economy.
B)interest group
C)iron triangle.
D)faction

Question 6

Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News/Getty Images

-Why might the people protesting seek to recall the governor?

A)He failed to protect consumers from unsafe products.
B)He refused to protect the interests of businesses within an industry.-Consider This: Trade associations try to protect the interests of business within an industry.
C)He took collective bargaining rights away from public employees.
D)He provided jobs for the unemployed.

Question 7

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

A)the policies that interest groups help to bring about
B)gifts given to members of Congress in return for their support on legislation.- Consider This: Interest groups cannot give members of Congress gifts in exchange for votes.This is illegal.
C)benefits given only to group members
D)campaign contributions to elected officials

Question 8

What is lobbying?

A)communication as a representative of a group with government officials to persuade them to support a particular policy
B)conducting surveys to gauge public opinion on a policy issue
C)convincing potential members to join an interest group by offering them material benefits.-Consider This: This is what interest groups to increase their membership but this not lobbying.
D)fundraising for political candidates and educating the public about the activities of government

Question 9

Questions 10 and 11 refer to the image. Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News/Getty Images
To which of the following groups do the people pictured likely belong?

A)public interest group
B)trade association -Consider This: This type of organization lobbies in support of business groups.
C)union shop
D)labor union

Question 10

Questions 4 and 5 refer to the following graph.
Interest group participation Sources: Authors' analysis of the 2007 International Social Survey Program survey for civic
associations and the Comparative Study of Electoral Systems,module 2 (2001-2006)for
working with others to express political views.
Based on the graph,in which of the following countries are people most likely to politically associate?

A)Germany
B)USA
C)Australia -Consider This: The percentage of people participating in civic association in Australia is second only to the USA.
D)France

Question 11

What is an amicus curiae brief?

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)a petition submitted to Congress in support of or opposition to a judicial nominee
D)a petition submitted to an executive branch agency,requesting a review of the agency's decision.-Consider This: The amicus curiae brief is a request made to the courts,not an executive agency.

Question 12

Credit: Adam Zyglis/The Buffalo News/Cagle Cartoons,Inc.

-How to critics of pluralism affirm the elitist point of view?

A)government decisions reflect the balance of competing interests in society.- Consider This: This is actually an argument of pluralism and not a criticism.
B)power is concentrated in the hands of the few
C)individuals with shared grievances usually form interest groups to press their demands upon government
D)the formation of one group typically stimulates the formation of an opposing group

Question 13

Generally speaking,Political Action Committee (PAC)and Super PAC contributions have __________.

A)become increasingly important in congressional elections
B)decreased for incumbents but increased for challengers and open seats.- Consider This: PAC contributions tend to go to incumbents because they are the strongest candidates.
C)become less important in federal elections and more important in state elections
D)become less important

Question 14

Interest group participation Sources: Authors' analysis of the 2007 International Social Survey Program survey for civic
associations and the Comparative Study of Electoral Systems,module 2 (2001-2006)for
working with others to express political views.

-Which of the following does the information in the graph suggest?

A)Americans are more likely to work in their communities than discuss politics.
B)High interest group membership has a negative impact on American society.
C)People are more concerned with their communities in other nations.
D)Americans are less politically engaged than people in other democracies.-Consider This: Though fewer Americans reported working together to express political views,the percentage is still higher than in other countries.

Question 15

Which problem occurs when people fail to join a group because they can get the benefits the group offers without contributing to the group's efforts?

A)free-rider
B)pluralist
C)collective goods.-Consider This: This is the aim of many interest groups and is not considered a problem.
D)group coordination

Question 16

Questions 8 and 9 refer to the following graph.
Big spenders on lobbying,2009-2015 Source: Compiled by the authors from 2009-2015 data from the Center for Responsive
Politics.
Based on the graph,which of the following was most financially invested in lobbying from 2009-2015?

A)Pharmaceuticals
B)Internet
C)Education
D)Oil and Gas -Consider This: Though significant resources were devoted to oil and gas lobbying,it did not see the highest rate of investment in this time period.

Question 17

Source: Federal Election Commission,PAC Contributions,2016.
NOTE: Data for 2016 are through June 30,2016.

-Why might Political Action Committees (PACs)believe that contributing in this manner is the best way to accomplish their goals?

A)It removes the necessity for illegal kickbacks.
B)They will receive greater public recognition for their contributions to society.
C)They will gain access to the greatest number of officeholders.
D)They will attain publicity for their favorite charities and nonprofit organizations.-Consider This: PACs are not looking to get publicity for their contributions to candidates.If anything,they are looking to avoid too much publicity.

Question 18

Big spenders on lobbying,2009-2015 Source: Compiled by the authors from 2009-2015 data from the Center for Responsive
Politics.

-Why might the top two categories on this graph have been priorities during the Obama administration?

A)The economic crisis led to severe Medicaid and Medicare cuts.
B)Lobbyists were focused on defeating plans to implement the Common Core.-Consider This: Though the Common Core and its implementation led to dissent,the battle of the Affordable Care Act was much more pervasive.
C)Americans were especially concerned about the Affordable Care Act.
D)Lobbyists focus on issues of which most Americans are unaware.

Question 19

“The latent causes of faction are thus sown in the nature of man... A zeal for different opinions concerning religion, concerning government, and many other points, as well of speculation as of practice; an attachment to different leaders ambitiously contending for pre-eminence and power; or to persons of other descriptions whose fortunes have been interesting to the human passions, have, in turn, divided mankind into parties, inflamed them with mutual animosity, and rendered them much more disposed to vex and oppress each other than to co-operate for their common good. So strong is this propensity of mankind to fall into mutual animosities, that where no substantial occasion presents itself, the most frivolous and fanciful distinctions have been sufficient to kindle their unfriendly passions and excite their most violent conflicts. But the most common and durable source of factions has been the various and unequal distribution of property. Those who hold and those who are without property have ever formed distinct interests in society….”
--James Madison, Federalist No. 10, 1787

-Which of the following reflects how Madison's warnings have come to fruition in the 21^st century?

A)The government is based on a two-party system.-Consider This: Though Madison also warned against parties,factions are more single minded and unlikely to seek compromise than parties that covered a wide range of issues.
B)Many Americans vote along party lines.
C)Interest groups single-mindedly represent a wide number of issues.
D)The government is incapable of focusing on more than one issue at a time.

Question 20

Which of the following is an example of a public interest lobby?

A)a consumer rights group
B)a trade association
C)a labor union -Consider This: A labor union advocates for the interest of union member and not the general public.
D)a group representing alpaca ranchers

Question 21

Which of the following is an example of a business interest group?

A)the National Rifle Association
B)the American Association of Retired People (AARP).-Consider This: The AARP advocates for the interest of retired Americans.
C)the Chamber of Commerce
D)the National Education Association

Question 22

Which of the following interest groups is an example of an equality interest?

A)the United Auto Workers
B)the National Organization for Women
C)the World Wildlife Fund
D)Common Cause -Consider This: This is a public interest group that advocates for the interest of the general public and is not trying to achieve equality for any one group.

Question 23

How do interest groups lobby the courts?

A)through letter-writing campaigns addressed to particular judges
B)by publishing editorials in major newspapers stating their views on cases
C)by bringing lawsuits to the courts on behalf of classes of citizens
D)by meeting with judges to express their views on cases -Consider This: Judges do not meet with outside parties to discuss their views on cases.

Question 24

How did the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 affect lobbyists?

A)It limited the number of hours each lobbyist could work during a single session of Congress.-Consider This: There is no legal limit on the number of hours a lobbyist can work.
B)It required all lobbyists to join the Labor Union of American Lobbyists and Government Relations Experts.
C)It set limits on how many lobbyists could be employed by a PAC.
D)It required lobbyists to file a report detailing the sources of their lobbying income.

Question 25

Of which of the following is an interest group filing an amicus curiae brief an example?

A)grassroots lobbying -Consider This: Grassroots lobbying is when interests are trying to influence an elected official by conducting interest groups activities in his home district or state.It is not aimed at influencing the other two branches of government.
B)how interest groups influence elections
C)lobbying an executive branch agency
D)lobbying the judicial branch

Question 26

What does intensity contribute to the success of an interest group?

A)Intensity often leads groups to advocate for more than they can realistically get,and the final result is that they get nothing.
B)Intense interest group members often scare away other potential members with less intense beliefs.-Consider This: Actually,intense interest groups try to attract those who are equally intense.
C)Politicians are more likely to listen to a group showing intensity.
D)Intensity weeds out the free riders in a group,resulting in a more heterogeneous group.

Question 27

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

A)answering e-mails from elected officials' constituents
B)speaking on behalf of elected officials at press conferences -Consider This: Lobbyist do not try to speak for elected officials but try to influence the actions of those officials.
C)providing elected officials with innovative ideas for addressing a policy problem
D)providing legal counsel to interest groups in court cases

Question 28

What is one of the reasons that interest groups have proliferated over the past half century?

A)Developments in technology made interest group activities easier.
B)The increasing power of political parties led to more interest group formation.
C)A decrease in the scope of government brought out interest groups seeking to protect their interests.-Consider This: In reality,the increase in government activity has produced an increase in interest group activities by creating more points of access.
D)Legal restrictions on lobbying activities were lifted as part of the New Deal.

Question 29

Which of the following statements best represents the hyperpluralist view?

A)All legitimate interests in the political system can get a hearing from government once they are organized.-Consider This: This view argues that some interest groups have a lot more power than others.
B)Awesome power is held by the largest corporations.
C)There are too many special interest groups getting too much of what they want.
D)When one group throws its weight around too much,its opponents are likely to intensify their organization and thus restore balance to the system.

Question 30

What type of group is a trade association?

A)an economic interest group
B)a public interest group
C)a public sector interest group
D)a labor union -Consider This: A labor union advocates for the interest of union member,not the industry that they are employed in.

Question 31

You are the leader of an environmental organization working to address the problem of climate change.What would be the most effective way to overcome the free-rider problem?

A)Describe the harmful consequences of global warming.
B)Explain how future generations will benefit from enacting climate change legislation.
C)Offer a T-shirt as an incentive to join the group.
D)Publicly criticize those who don't join the group.-Consider This: Publicly criticizing those who don't join an interest group is likely to reinforce their opposition to joining the group.

Question 32

Which of the following is a pluralist belief?

A)Only wealthy interests have influence over government decisions.
B)Government decisions reflect the preferences of elites.-Consider This: This is an argument of the elitist theory and not the pluralist theory.
C)A rough approximation of the public interest emerges from competition between groups.
D)Policymakers care more about public opinion than interest groups' preferences.

Question 33

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

A)a political action committee contributing to candidates from both major political parties.-Consider This: This is a common practice of interest groups and is not an example of the free-rider problem.
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 34

Which is a consequence of hyperpluralism?

A)reduced agency budgets
B)termination of government programs
C)contradictory and confusing policies
D)growth in the number of political parties -Consider This: Hyperpluralism relates to the increase in interest groups and not political parties.

Question 35

What is the main goal of each of the three elements of an iron triangle?

A)abolishing free-riders
B)creating more opportunities for collective action -Consider This: Iron triangles are an example of collective action that is designed to achieve a goal.The question is asking what the goal of the collective action is.
C)fostering democratic deliberation
D)protecting their self-interests

Question 36

Which of the following is an example of a single-issue interest group?

A)the National Abortion Rights Action League.
B)the Chamber of Commerce -Consider This: The Chamber of Commerce advocates the interest of multiple businesses and industries.
C)Common Cause
D)the National Wholesalers Association

Question 37

Which of the following argue that the formation of so many influential interest groups has made it increasingly difficult to accomplish major policy change in Washington?

A)Elitists -Consider This: This theory argues that only a few groups control the actions of government.
B)Federalists
C)hyperpluralists
D)labor unions

Question 38

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

A)Legislators only grant meetings with interest groups that offer campaign contributions.
B)Members of Congress are better listeners when hearing from interests that financially supported their campaign.
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.-Consider This: There is no such requirement.Groups that do contribute to parties are not guaranteed access to the party platform.

Question 39

Which of the following is a typical way for lobbyists to seek to influence members of Congress?

A)by offering them money to vote a particular way -Consider This: This is bribery and is illegal.
B)by filing amicus curiae briefs
C)by organizing protests and demonstrations on Capitol Hill
D)by providing specialized expertise

Question 40

What do right-to-work laws uphold?

A)amicus curiae briefs
B)workers' rights to collective goods
C)the requirement that workers in a union shop must join the union.-Consider This: Union membership is not required in all states.
D)workers' freedom to decline the opportunity to join a union

Question 41

In which of the following might Political Action Committees (PACs)invest their contributions in order to maximize their political influence?

A)members of the minority party in Congress.-Consider This: Since the minority party has limited political influence,PAC contributions to them are not likely to result in much gain.
B)challengers
C)incumbents
D)presidential candidates

Question 42

Which type of organization would find it easiest to overcome the free-rider problem?

A)an environmental organization working to pass climate change legislation
B)a labor union in a state where union membership is optional.-Consider This: In states where union membership is optional,the free rider problem is likely to be worse since union benefits can be gained without joining the union.
C)a trade association for a small industry
D)a national organization fighting for women's rights