Question 1

Wealthy individuals are more likely to vote for Republicans than Democrats.

Accepted Answer

Wealthy individuals tend to be more conservative in their political beliefs, and therefore are more likely to support the Republican Party. However, there are many exceptions to this generalization and individual political views can vary greatly regardless of income level.

Question 2

Among the key provisions of the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act are all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act does not contain a provision that specifically addresses a ban on tickets to sporting events.

Question 3

The 1990s brought a secular realignment of Republicans toward the Democratic Party.

Accepted Answer

The 1990s actually brought a realignment of conservative Democrats toward the Republican Party, also known as the "Republican Revolution."

Question 4

The courts are immune from pressure by interest groups.

Accepted Answer

Courts, like other branches of government, can be subject to pressure from interest groups through various means such as public campaigns, amicus curiae briefs, and lobbying for the appointment of judges with specific viewpoints.

Question 5

Andrew Jackson was the first president who was elected as a nominee of a national,popularly based political party.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Andrew Jackson was the first president who...

Question 6

Potential interest group members

Accepted Answer

Potential interest group members may be reluctant to join a group due to the free-rider problem, which means that they can enjoy the benefits of the group's efforts without contributing to its costs. This is a common barrier to group participation, particularly for individuals who do not feel a strong personal stake in the group's cause.

Question 7

Typically,Democrats have been better fundraisers than Republicans.

Accepted Answer

While fundraising success can vary by election cycle and individual candidates, there is no consistent evidence to suggest that Democrats are always better fundraisers than Republicans. Both parties have demonstrated strong fundraising capabilities at different times.

Question 8

A common argument against the creation of third parties is that they take away votes from the major national parties,but do not gain enough momentum to actually win a race,thus "spoiling" the results of elections.

Accepted Answer

This argument is often cited by supporters of the two major parties in the United States to discourage voters from choosing third party candidates. They argue that by splitting the vote, third parties can prevent a major party candidate from winning, even if a significant portion of the electorate supports the third party. This phenomenon is often referred to as the "spoiler effect."

Question 9

The key provisions of the Ethics in Government Act address

Accepted Answer

The key provisions of the Ethics in Government Act primarily address financial disclosure requirements for public officials and restrictions on their employment after leaving government service. It also includes provisions related to conflicts of interest and other ethical concerns. While it does touch on registration and lobbying, these are not the focus of the act.

Question 10

There are many points of access when lobbying the executive branch.

Accepted Answer

There are many ways to lobby the executive branch, including through direct meetings with White House officials or agency heads, submitting comments on proposed regulations, and engaging with the White House Office of Public Engagement or Office of Management and Budget.

Question 11

The Ethics in Government Act allows former executive branch employees to lobby the bureaucracy no fewer than three years after they leave their position.

Accepted Answer

The Ethics in Government Act, as well as subsequent amendments and related regulations, generally imposes a one-year "cooling-off" period for senior executive branch employees before they can lobby their former agencies, not three years.

Question 12

Labor unions are the largest and most powerful interest groups in America.

Accepted Answer

While labor unions have significant political influence, they are not the largest or most powerful interest groups in America. Other interest groups, such as business and industry groups, have a larger presence and more resources.

Question 13

The 1960s and 1970s saw the rise of public interest groups.

Accepted Answer

The 1960s and 1970s were a time of increased social activism and the rise of public interest groups, including environmental and civil rights organizations.

Question 14

Transaction theory involves an exchange of money for votes.

Accepted Answer

Transaction theory, in the context of economics and organizational behavior, generally refers to the dynamics of transactions or exchanges between parties, which can involve goods, services, or information, but not specifically or exclusively the exchange of money for votes. The concept of exchanging money for votes would be more accurately described as vote buying, which is a form of electoral fraud.

Question 15

Generally,the platforms of prominent third parties are folded into the platforms of the parties with which they share similar ideologies.

Accepted Answer

This is generally true, as third party platforms often align with the platforms of major parties with similar ideological stances in order to gain more support and visibility.

Question 16

Republicans and Democrats have been in the White House roughly an equal amount of time since 1884.

Accepted Answer

Since 1884, Republicans have held the presidency for a total of 56 years, while Democrats have held it for 56 years and four months. While this is not exactly equal, it is close enough to say that they have been in the White House roughly an equal amount of time.

Question 17

________ is/are crucial to the success of all interest groups.

Accepted Answer

Funding is crucial to the success of all interest groups because it allows them to hire staff, conduct research, and engage in lobbying efforts. Without adequate funding, interest groups would not be able to effectively advocate for their causes. Political support, direct mail, PACs, and media advertising can also be important factors for interest groups, but they do not have the same level of impact as funding.

Question 18

Legally sanctioned organizations that allow corporations,labor unions,and other interest groups to raise money and make contributions to candidates in national elections are called

Accepted Answer

The legally sanctioned organizations that allow corporations, labor unions, and other interest groups to raise money and make contributions to candidates in national elections are called Political Action Committees (PACs). Therefore, option C is the most appropriate answer. Federal Election Committees and Campaign Finance Committees exist but do not fit the given description accurately, and Political Interest Groups and Political Funding Groups are not specific enough.

Question 19

Mancur Olson argues that it is not rational to join groups.

Accepted Answer

Mancur Olson, in his work "The Logic of Collective Action," argues that individuals may not find it rational to join groups because they can benefit from the group's efforts without contributing, leading to a "free-rider" problem.

Question 20

Interest groups do not wish to shape public agenda,merely convey information to the public.

Accepted Answer

Interest groups do not only convey information to the public, but they also actively seek to shape the public agenda and influence decision-making processes. They use various tactics such as lobbying, campaigning, and grassroots mobilization to push for their policy preferences and raise awareness about their causes.

Quiz 11: Political Parties and Interest Groups