Deck 7: The Politics of Interest Groups

Question 1

An organization of individuals with similar views that tries to influence government to respond favorably to its views is called a(n)

A) voluntary association.
B) benevolent society.
C) interest group.
D) political party.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Which of the following would not be a goal of an interest group?

A) Getting its members elected to public office
B) Having government policies passed that benefit the group
C) Influencing government officials regarding legislation
D) Making policy preferences known to government officials

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Which of the following is true of interest group organizational patterns in the United States?

A) All interest groups in the United States are highly decentralized.
B) All interest groups in the United States are highly centralized.
C) Some are highly centralized, and others have a decentralized organizational structure.
D) Interest groups at the state level are highly decentralized, while national interest groups are highly centralized.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

The United States achieves a decentralized governing structure through

A) republicanism and checks and balances.
B) republicanism and federalism.
C) federalism and checks and balances.
D) federalism and separation of powers.

Question 5

The principal purpose of political party activity is to

A) achieve changes through the constitutional amendment process.
B) gain control of government by winning elections and thus achieve party goals.
C) influence public officials who are already in office to respond to the party's goals.
D) obtain favorable treatment for party members in governmental activities.

Question 6

Which of the following is not a common reason that citizens join interest groups?

A) They are not accepted as members of official political parties.
B) They enter the workforce and want or need to join a professional or occupational group.
C) They want to associate with a group of like-minded individuals working for a cause they believe in.
D) They receive information or benefits from the interest group.

Question 7

Which occupational group is least likely to have a large representation in an interest group?

A) Lawyers
B) Accountants
C) Physicians
D) Receptionists

Question 8

Interest groups try to influence public policy by

A) lobbying only one specific political party.
B) working only with a political party's leaders.
C) lobbying government officials regardless of party affiliation.
D) ignoring key decision makers in the political process.

Question 9

In the case of the NAACP v. Alabama (1958), the U. S. Supreme Court

A) recognized that all persons are created equal.
B) recognized the right of association as part of the First Amendment.
C) ruled that provisions of the Fourteenth Amendment were applicable to the states.
D) ruled that the poll tax was unconstitutional and discriminatory.

Question 10

Most political interest groups represent

A) organized blue-collar labor.
B) professional and managerial occupations.
C) minimum-wage employees.
D) fixed-income retirees.

Question 11

Which of the following generalizations regarding interest group leadership is correct?

A) Interest group decisions are usually made by an active minority of the membership.
B) Leadership roles in interest groups are widely shared among many active members.
C) Elected officials are usually the leaders of interest groups.
D) Most interest group members can afford to devote time to interest group activities.

Question 12

An example of a labor organization that is active in Texas is the

A) Communication Workers of America.
B) League of United Latin American Citizens.
C) Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association.
D) Texas Health Care Association.

Question 13

The Texas Association of Businesses and Chambers of Commerce is an example of

A) a trade association.
B) a trade union.
C) an umbrella organization.
D) a public interest group.

Question 14

The decentralized structure of Texas politics and governance __________ the ability of interest groups to influence public policy.

A) decreases
B) eliminates
C) increases
D) has no effect on

Question 15

Which of the following is true of interest groups and parties in Texas?

A) Texas has strong political parties and influential interest groups.
B) Texas has weak political parties and ineffective interest groups.
C) Texas has strong political parties and ineffective interest groups.
D) Texas has weak political parties and influential interest groups.

Question 16

Which of the following goals would a business organization be least likely to pursue?

A) Tax reductions, breaks, and subsidies
B) Limits on lawsuits against corporations
C) Fewer concessions to labor unions
D) Increased safety and environmental standards

Question 17

Which of the following is not a reason for the growth and diversity of interest groups in the United States?

A) A political culture that values the right of association and citizen organizations
B) A decentralized government structure that provides many access points
C) A lack of unified and responsible political parties
D) A legal system that requires citizen membership in interest groups

Question 18

Which constitutional right is the foundation of the right to form and participate in interest groups?

A) Free speech
B) Freedom of association
C) The right to vote
D) Equal protection under the laws

Question 19

Interest groups organized to promote policies that maximize profits and wages for their members are known as

A) economic interest groups.
B) social groups.
C) public interest groups.
D) social movements.

Question 20

The Texas Tea Party is

A) a powerful faction within the Texas Republican Party.
B) a political party that formed to challenge both the Republican and Democratic Parties.
C) an interest group that promotes the interests of tea growers and distributors.
D) a minor faction within the Texas Democratic Party.

Question 21

Which of the following techniques do interest groups use to influence policy decisions?

A) Lobbying
B) Campaign financing
C) Providing favors and gifts
D) All of these choices are techniques used by interest groups.

Question 22

A social interest group would be least likely to get involved in which of the following issues?

A) School prayer
B) Women's rights
C) Highway funding
D) Civil rights

Question 23

The Christian Coalition would be most likely to promote which of the following?

A) Banning same-sex marriage
B) Allowing women unrestricted access to abortion and contraception
C) Keeping prayer out of public schools
D) Programs to provide food and health care to the poor

Question 24

About how many registered lobbyists are there in Texas?

A) 17
B) 170
C) 1700
D) 17,000

Question 25

Which of the following is the largest state government employees group in Texas?

A) Texas Public Employees Association
B) Texas City Management Association
C) Justices of the Peace and Constables Association of Texas
D) Texas City Attorneys Association

Question 26

Which of the following is true of women in Texas politics?

A) There are a variety of women's interest groups in Texas promoting equal rights, greater political participation, and other issues important to women.
B) Women have not yet organized into interest groups in Texas.
C) There are a few women's interest groups, but they mostly focus on economic growth and law enforcement issues.
D) Organizations representing women are more numerous and more powerful than organizations representing any other group.

Question 27

Which of the following is true regarding labor organizations in Texas?

A)
Labor groups are not as numerous or as powerful as business-related groups in Texas.
B)
Labor groups are more numerous, but less powerful than business-related groups in Texas.
C)
Labor groups are more numerous and more powerful than business-related groups in Texas.
D)Labor groups are not as number, but are more powerful than business-related groups in Texas.

Question 28

Which kind of group exists to promote policies that would increase wages, adequate health and unemployment insurance, and promote safe working conditions?

A) Business groups
B) Labor groups
C) Illegal immigrants
D) Ethnic groups

Question 29

Which of the following would not be a cause supported by the Texas Freedom Network?

A) Defending civil liberties
B) Strengthening public schools
C) Protecting religious freedom
D) Defending the traditional family

Question 30

Which of the following would not be among the interest groups that Texas legislators identify as most powerful?

A) Public interest groups advocating campaign finance reform
B) An interest group representing oil and gas companies
C) A professional association representing physicians
D) A trade association representing the tobacco industry

Question 31

Which organization would most likely mount a vigorous campaign to oppose a reduction in the staffing levels of the Texas Rehabilitation Commission?

A) Christian Coalition
B) Texas Public Employees Association
C) Texas Association of Businesses
D) AFL-CIO

Question 32

Common Cause of Texas is an example of

A) a public interest group.
B) a trade association.
C) a trade union.
D) an umbrella organization.

Question 33

Which of the following would a government employee interest group be least likely to pursue?

A) Higher wages
B) Better retirement packages
C) Increased health care benefits
D) Decreased levels of government spending

Question 34

A lobbyist is an individual who

A) works to get a candidate elected to office.
B) sits on a Congressional committee.
C) attempts to influence the decision making of lawmakers.
D) issues rulings on major court cases.

Question 35

Which of the following is not one of the main goals of racial and ethnic groups in Texas?

A) Eliminate racial discrimination
B) Reduce government interference in the economy
C) Improve public schools and increase educational opportunities
D) Obtain greater representation in elected offices

Question 36

Which of the following interest groups would be an example of a professional group in Texas?

A) Teamsters
B) National Rifle Association
C) Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants
D) League of United Latin American Citizens

Question 37

Which of the following is among the oldest and most effective racial and ethnic interest groups in Texas?

A) National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
B) League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
C) Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF)
D) All of these choices are among the oldest and most effective racial and ethnic groups in Texas.

Question 38

Which of the following is not a function that interest groups perform in Texas?

A) Serving as an outlet for discussions about policy issues
B) Writing party platforms
C) Encouraging people to participate in politics
D) Mobilizing the support that politicians need to pass certain policies

Question 39

Texas doctors successfully used their professional organizations in lobbying the 76th Legislature to make Texas the first state that allows

A) for the taxing of interest groups.
B) public school teachers to form unions.
C) state employees to legally go out on strike.
D) doctors to collectively bargain with health maintenance organizations.

Question 40

Which of the following is the most commonly employed strategy of influencing legislation?

A) Public debates with legislators to prove them wrong
B) Providing the legislator with relevant information
C) Abandoning the legislature and lobbying the governor
D) Providing cash bribes to legislators to change their votes

Question 41

Members of the Texas Ethics Commission are selected by the

A) voters in a general election.
B) Texas state legislature.
C) Texas governor.
D) U.S. Congress.

Question 42

Which of the following is common in the last days of an election campaign?

A) Campaign laws are changed without public notice.
B) Interest groups make last minute contributions to campaigns.
C) Candidates change their positions on key issues.
D) Courts hear challenges to candidate qualifications.

Question 43

Which of the following is an example of an electioneering technique?

A) Coordinating a "Get Out the Vote" (GOTV) campaign
B) Lunch meetings with elected officials to establish personal relationships
C) Getting group members to email or call legislators to influence their vote on an important issue
D) Testifying at a committee hearing

Question 44

An interest group technique that is unethical would be

A) making campaign contributions.
B) utilizing bribery.
C) conducting lobbying.
D) taking clients to lunch.

Question 45

Which Texas House Speaker was not the subject of an inquiry about potentially improper practices with regard to interest groups?

A) Billy Clayton
B) Gus Mutscher
C) Gib Lewis
D) Pete Laney

Question 46

The device by which a corporation may contribute money to a political candidate is

A) through a political action committee.
B) directly through the union that represents its workers.
C) directly from the corporation's funds.
D) through a special state tax transfer fund.

Question 47

In their grassroots and electioneering efforts, interest groups are increasingly

A) paying lobbyists to write legislation.
B) using the Internet and social media.
C) providing campaign advice to candidates for office.
D) relying on direct mail and phone banking.

Question 48

An interest group with substantial financial resources, sizable membership, unity, and a competentleadership

A) would be mistrusted by the legislative leadership.
B) has no more influence over the legislative process than any other group of citizens.
C) should have success in getting its policy preferences honored.
D) is prevented from obtaining its policy preferences because of the Ethics Act.

Question 49

The political term grassroots refers to activity that

A) begins locally and spreads to broader areas.
B) starts at the state level and works down.
C) is associated with agriculture.
D) has produced little or no growth.

Question 50

The political influence of interest groups is enhanced when

A) political parties are strong.
B) they are well represented within the structure of government.
C) its views were consistent with a narrow segment of society.
D) government structure is strong.

Question 51

Ethics laws prohibit a candidate or official from receiving a contribution inside

A) a commercial business building.
B) a religious organization's building.
C) the Democratic or Republican headquarters.
D) the Texas state capitol building.

Question 52

Political officeholders often rely on interest groups to

A) speak for the general public.
B) provide information and expertise.
C) provide many free lunches.
D) give objective input.

Question 53

Which of the following is not a responsibility of the Texas Ethics Commission?

A) Setting legal limits on campaign contributions
B) Listing the names of lobbyists, their clients, and their payments online
C) Hearing ethics complaints against state officials, candidates for office, and state employees
D) Reviewing complaints by state officials against organizations

Question 54

Which of the following statements best explains campaign finance laws for candidates running for a seat in the Texas legislature?

A) There is no limit on how much a PAC may contribute directly to a campaign.
B) There is no limit on how much a corporation can donate directly to a campaign.
C) There is no limit on how much a labor union can donate directly to a campaign.
D) There are no disclosure requirements for campaigns and lobbyists.

Question 55

Typically, in order to get people to the polls, which of the following is generally employed?

A) Mail-outs, telephone calls, door-to-door solicitation, and transportation to the polls
B) Bribes of money and promises of a job if one votes for a specific candidate
C) Providing free signs and food to potential voters
D) Calling mass meetings and demonstrating against opponents

Question 56

In response to big spending by lobbyists, Texas voters in 1991 approved a constitutional amendment to create the eight-member

A) Texas Ethics Commission.
B) Texas Rangers Association.
C) Texas Governor's Association.
D) Texas Common Cause.

Question 57

Actively campaigning in support of candidates for office by an interest group is called

A) lobbying.
B) grassroots pressure.
C) electioneering.
D) bribery.

Question 58

Which of the following was not prohibited by an amendment to the Texas Constitution in November of 1991?

A) Lobbyists providing more than $500 in food and drink for a lawmaker
B) Campaign contributions from political action committees
C) Honoraria in recognition of professional services
D) Lobby-paid pleasure trips for elected officials

Question 59

Following the Sharpstown Bank scandal, the Texas legislature

A) banned lobbyists from the capitol building in Austin.
B) prevented lobbyists from giving cash payments to lawmakers.
C) prohibited candidates for Speaker from giving anything of value to supporters in the House.
D) changed laws allowing gifts to exchange hands between state Senate and House members.

Question 60

The details of political contributions and expenditures of candidates must be filed with the Texas Ethics Commission

A) between two and seven times each year.
B) every seven years.
C) between four and seven times each biennium.
D) only once during the campaign process.

Question 61

Describe the different types of social groups in Texas and explain why they exist.

Question 62

Why does Texas have weak political parties and strong interest groups, when its characteristics would lead researchers to expect the opposite?

Question 63

Describe how lobbyists attempt to influence elected officials through personal contact and through grassroots mobilization. How might these techniques enhance representative government, and how might they distort the democratic process?

Question 64

Distinguish between a business group and a labor group. In what ways are their goals and membership different? Despite their differences, what makes them both "economic"interest groups?

Question 65

Distinguish between a professional interest group and a public employee interest group. In what ways are their goals and membership different? Which of the two would "public school teachers" more closely resemble?

Question 66

Explain the difference between the legal gifts and favors that a lobbyist may provide and illegal bribery.

Question 67

Describe the characteristics of interest groups, distinguishing between an interest group and a political party. In what ways are their goals and membership different? In what ways do they interact with one another?

Question 68

Interest groups in Texas must operate under the laws of the state. What are the state regulations regarding interest groups and how are they enforced? Comment on the perceived effectiveness of these regulations in Texas.

Question 69

What is an interest group and how is it different from a political party?

Question 70

Based on what you have learned about interest group membership and objectives, and using your career goal as a starting point, which type of interest group are you more likely to join and why? Assess the strength of your potential group relative to other kinds of groups active in Texas politics.

Question 71

What was the impact of the court case Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission in 2009?

Question 72

Identify and discuss the factors that contribute to the success or effectiveness of interest groups. Which factors seem most important?

Question 73

Describe how interest groups attempt to influence elections through electioneering and campaign financing. Explain the role and influence of Political Action Committees (PACs) in this process.

Question 74

Compare and contrast centralized and decentralized structures of interest groups. Which, if either, seems to work best? Is there any special reason why an interest group would choose one over the other?

Question 75

The system of politics in Texas can be described as one with

A) weak parties and weak interest groups.
B) strong parties and strong interest groups.
C) strong parties and weak interest groups.
D) weak parties and strong interest groups.

Question 76

Explain some of the reasons why interest groups in Texas have proliferated over the last few decades. Explain the potential positive and negative aspects of this proliferation.