Deck 10: Interest Groups and Lobbying

Question 1

How are collective goods different from private goods?

A) Collective goods offer particularized benefits, while private goods are broadly distributed.
B) Collective goods and private goods both offer particularized benefits.
C) Collective goods and private goods both offer broadly distributed benefits.
D) Collective goods offer broadly distributed benefits, while private goods offer particularized benefits.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Which of the following is the best example of a solidary benefit?

A) joining a group to be with others like you
B) joining a group to obtain a monetary benefit
C) joining a group because you care about a cause
D) joining a group because it is a requirement of your job

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Revolving door laws are designed to do which of the following?

A) prevent lawmakers from utilizing their legislative relationships by becoming lobbyists immediately after leaving office
B) help lawmakers find work after they leave office
C) restrict lobbyists from running for public office
D) all the above

Answer 3

A

Question 4

In what ways are lobbyists regulated?

A) Certain activities are prohibited.
B) Contributions must be disclosed.
C) Lobbying is prohibited immediately after leaving office.
D) all the above

Question 5

Why don't lower-income groups participate more in the interest group system?

Question 6

What are some barriers to participation?

Question 7

What is a difference between a PAC and a super PAC?

A) PACs can contribute directly to candidates, but super PACs cannot.
B) Conservative interests favor PACs over super PACs.
C) Contributions to PACs are unlimited, but restrictions have been placed on how much money can be contributed to super PACs.
D) Super PACS are much more likely to support incumbent candidates than are PACs.

Question 8

What benefits do private and public interests bring to society? What are some disadvantages of private and public interests?

Question 9

What type of incentives appeal to someone's concern about a cause?

A) solidary incentives
B) purposive incentives
C) material incentives
D) negative incentives

Question 10

What does group participation provide to citizens?

Question 11

Someone who lobbies on behalf of a company that he or she works for as part of his or her job is ________.

A) an in-house lobbyist
B) a volunteer lobbyist
C) a contract lobbyist
D) a legislative liaison

Question 12

Why might several competing corporations join together in an association?

A) because there is often strength in numbers
B) because they often have common issues that may affect an entire industry
C) because they can all benefit from governmental policies
D) all the above

Question 13

Which of the following is true of spending in politics?

A) The Supreme Court has yet to address the issue of money in politics.
B) The Supreme Court has restricted spending on politics.
C) The Supreme Court has opposed restrictions on spending on politics.
D) The Supreme Court has ruled that corporations may spend unlimited amounts of money but unions may not.

Question 14

How do interest groups lobby the judicial branch?

Question 15

How might disclosure requirements affect lobbying?

Question 16

How do interest groups and their lobbyists decide which lawmakers to lobby? And where do they do so?

Question 17

What changes have occurred in the lobbying environment over the past three or four decades?

A) There is more professional lobbying.
B) Many interests lobby both the national government and the states.
C) A fragmentation of interests has taken place.
D) all the above

Question 18

What are some ways to overcome collective action problems?

Question 19

Which of the following is an aspect of iron triangles?

A) fluid participation among interests
B) a great deal of competition for access to decision-makers
C) a symbiotic relationship among Congressional committees, executive agencies, and interest groups
D) three interest groups that have formed a coalition

Question 20

Why do some groups have an easier time overcoming collective action problems?

Question 21

Critical Thinking Questions



-How do collective action problems serve as barriers to group formation, mobilization, and maintenance? If you were a group leader, how might you try to overcome these problems?

Question 22

Critical Thinking Questions



-How might we get more people engaged in the interest group system?

Question 23

Critical Thinking Questions



-Evaluate the Citizens United decision. Why might the Court have considered campaign contributions a form of speech? Would the Founders have agreed with this decision? Why or why not?

Question 24

Critical Thinking Questions



-How do we regulate interest groups and lobbying activity? What are the goals of these regulations? Do you think these regulations achieve their objectives? Why or why not? If you could alter the way we regulate interest group activity and lobbying, how might you do so in a way consistent with the Constitution and recent Supreme Court decisions?

Question 25

Critical Thinking Questions



-Is it possible to balance the pursuit of private goods with the need to promote the public good? Is this balance a desired goal? Why or why not?

Question 26

Critical Thinking Questions



-Are interest groups good or bad for democracy? Defend and explain your answer.

Question 27

Critical Thinking Questions



-Why does it matter how we define interest group?

Question 28

Critical Thinking Questions



-How representative are interest groups in the United States? Do you agree that "all active and legitimate groups have the potential to make themselves heard?" Or is this potential an illusion? Explain your answer.