Question 1

According to the text, business interests make up ______________ of all active interest groups in the United States.

Accepted Answer

The text states that "business interests, for example, make up more than half of all active interest groups in the United States." Therefore, choice C is the correct answer.

Question 2

As the number of interest groups has increased since the 1970s, interest groups have become more

Accepted Answer

As the number of interest groups has increased since the 1970s, interest groups have become more professional. This means that interest groups have become more organized, sophisticated, and experienced in their efforts to influence public policy. They often have highly trained staff, lawyers, and lobbyists who are skilled in making effective appeals to policymakers. They also have more access to resources, such as funding and technology, which allow them to be more effective in their advocacy efforts.

Question 3

Social movements differ from interest groups in that social movements

Accepted Answer

Social movements involve a collective effort by citizens to bring about social or political change, often through protests or other forms of direct action. They require a greater level of commitment and participation than interest groups, which rely on lobbying and other forms of indirect influence to shape public policy. Social movements are typically less formal and more decentralized than interest groups, and often arise in response to perceived injustices or grievances. They may involve a range of tactics, from nonviolent demonstration to civil disobedience, and may focus on broad social issues rather than specific policy goals.

Question 4

______________ are organizations that political actors form to influence public policy.

Accepted Answer

Interest groups are organizations formed by political actors to influence public policy. Social movements may also attempt to influence public policy, but they are not necessarily organized in the same way as interest groups. Political parties have a broader focus and goal of winning elections and governing, while governments and bureaucracies are institutions of governing rather than advocacy.

Question 5

According to the text, the most influential interest groups are those that represent

Accepted Answer

The text states that "corporate interests are generally viewed as the most influential interest groups." Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Question 6

The three participants in an iron triangle are

Accepted Answer

An iron triangle typically consists of three key players: an interest group, a congressional subcommittee, and a federal agency. These groups form a mutually beneficial relationship, wherein the interest group provides political support and campaign contributions to the members of the congressional subcommittee, who then provide favorable legislation and funding to the federal agency.

Question 7

Interest groups differ from political parties because, unlike political parties, interest groups

Accepted Answer

Interest groups do not nominate candidates to run for public office, which is a key function of political parties. Interest groups focus on advocating for specific policy preferences of their members or constituents, and may use tactics such as lobbying, media campaigns, and litigation to achieve their goals.

Question 8

The situation that occurs when people take advantage of some public good or common resource without paying their fair share of it is called

Accepted Answer

The free-rider problem refers to the situation in which some people benefit from a public good or common resource without paying their fair share of it. This problem arises because such goods or resources are often provided by the government or other collective institutions and therefore it is difficult to exclude individuals from using them. As a result, some people may choose not to pay for these goods or resources, hoping to take advantage of others who do pay. This can lead to underinvestment in public goods or overuse of common resources, which can be detrimental to society as a whole.

Question 9

The following are all examples of interest groups except

Accepted Answer

The Republican Party is a political party, not an interest group. Interest groups are organizations that attempt to influence public policy decisions.

Question 10

Of the following, which is the best example of the free-rider problem?

Accepted Answer

The free-rider problem occurs when individuals benefit from resources, goods, or services without paying for them, which is common in scenarios where public goods or collective efforts are involved. Choice E directly addresses this issue by highlighting the challenge leaders of interest groups face in motivating citizens to contribute, as individuals may benefit from the group's efforts without directly contributing themselves.

Question 11

According to the text, the rise in the number of interest groups can be attributed to all of the following except

Accepted Answer

The text cites the increased influence of "iron triangles" as a contributing factor to the rise of interest groups. Therefore, option D is the incorrect choice as it is the opposite of what is stated in the text. The other options (A, B, C, and E) are mentioned in the text as factors contributing to the rise of interest groups.

Question 12

According to the text, the primary check on the interest group advantages of business interests is

Accepted Answer

The text states that the primary check on the interest group advantages of business interests is "the spotlight of sustained public attention-the power of democracy." This suggests that public scrutiny and pressure on elected officials can help counterbalance the influence of business interests.

Question 13

According to the text, opponents of the Iraq War were less likely than opponents of the Vietnam War to engage in mass demonstrations because

Accepted Answer

Opponents of the Iraq War had more electoral opportunities available to express their dissent, which is a key reason they were less likely to engage in mass demonstrations compared to opponents of the Vietnam War. This provided a different avenue for opposition that did not rely as heavily on public demonstrations.

Question 14

All of the following statements about interest groups are true except

Accepted Answer

Interest groups do not typically nominate candidates to run for office. That is typically the role of political parties. However, interest groups may endorse or support candidates who are sympathetic to their cause.

Question 15

As voter turnout declined in the last half of the twentieth century, interest group activity

Accepted Answer

As voter turnout declined, interest group activity increased. This is because interest groups seek to influence policy outcomes and with fewer people participating in elections, interest groups became a more important way to influence policy decisions.

Question 16

Efforts by interest groups to influence not only policymakers but the wider public are called

Accepted Answer

The answer of Efforts by interest groups to influence not...

Question 17

Occupy Wall Street is an example of a(n)

Accepted Answer

Occupy Wall Street was a social movement that protested against economic inequality and corporate greed. It wasn't an interest group, illegal organization, political party, or public disturbance, though some of its actions may have occasionally caused disruptions.

Question 18

Voting, interest group activity, and social movements are all forms of

Accepted Answer

Voting, interest group activity, and social movements are all examples of political participation, which involves citizens taking action to shape the political process and influence government decisions.

Question 19

Social movements differ from interest groups because social movements tend to

Accepted Answer

Social movements require greater risks and sacrifices from their participants in order to achieve their goals, whereas interest groups tend to work within the system to promote policy changes. Social movements often involve civil disobedience, public protests, and other forms of direct action that can result in legal consequences or physical harm.

Question 20

Occupy protesters organized around all of the following issues except the

Accepted Answer

The Occupy movement was primarily focused on economic and political injustice, including income inequality, corporate influence on the political system, lack of jobs, and the mortgage foreclosure crisis. Immigration was not a central issue for the movement.

Quiz 5: Interest Groups and Social Movements