Question 1

Super PACs first became an important factor in national elections in

Accepted Answer

The answer of Super PACs first became an important factor...

Question 2

For what reason is a foreign interest MOST likely to lobby the U.S. government?

Accepted Answer

A foreign interest is most likely to lobby the U.S. government for trade policies because it can directly affect their economic interests and competitiveness in the global market. Lobbying can help to shape U.S. trade policies in a way that benefits the foreign interest's exports and imports, as well as promote favorable conditions for investment and business operations.

Question 3

In the iron triangle, which of the following is a benefit Congress derives from its relationship with interest groups?

Accepted Answer

Congress can benefit from interest groups through electoral support, which can help them win elections and maintain power. Having friendly relationships with interest groups can also help attract campaign funding and increase voter turnout among their membership.

Question 4

Today, religious interests are among the most influential interest groups in U.S. politics, but for a long time organized religious interests were uninvolved in politics. Why?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Today, religious interests are among the most...

Question 5

Which of the following BEST describes the emphasis of the Christian Coalition's platform?

Accepted Answer

The Christian Coalition's platform places the emphasis on promoting "pro-family values," which includes opposition to abortion, homosexuality, and pornography as well as support for school prayer and traditional gender roles. This platform aligns with conservative Christian beliefs and is focused on promoting a particular worldview, rather than principles like separation of church and state or constitutional interpretation.

Question 6

Which interest group spent the most money on lobbying in 2013?

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce spent the most money on lobbying in 2013, with a reported $74.8 million spent on lobbying efforts. This is significantly more than any of the other options listed.

Question 7

All of the following are examples of indirect strategies used by interest groups to advance their cause EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

Buttonholing is a direct strategy where lobbyists directly approach and persuade legislators, unlike the other options which are indirect strategies.

Question 8

Political Action Committees give a large majority of their contributions to

Accepted Answer

PACs give the majority of their contributions to incumbents of both parties. This is because incumbents are usually seen as more likely to win reelection and therefore have a better chance of being able to advocate for the interests of the PAC in government.

Question 9

Which group is recognized as the national Catholic peace movement?

Accepted Answer

Pax Christi USA is recognized as the national Catholic peace movement. Common Cause, the Christian Coalition, and the Moral Majority are not affiliated with the Catholic Church or focused on peace movements. B'nai Brith is a Jewish organization and not affiliated with Catholicism or peace movements.

Question 10

Which religious interest organization was instrumental in Ronald Reagan's 1980 election to the presidency?

Accepted Answer

The Moral Majority, founded by Jerry Falwell, was a highly influential religious interest organization that advocated for conservative Christian values in politics. They were active in campaigning for Ronald Reagan's election in 1980, which is considered a key factor in his victory.

Question 11

Which of the following Supreme Court decisions drastically altered the political landscape by allowing corporate and union election financing?

Accepted Answer

The Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision in 2010 allowed corporations and unions to make unlimited independent expenditures in elections, leading to the rise of super PACs and significantly changing the landscape of campaign finance.

Question 12

In order to attract greater attention, which group is often used by interest groups to testify before Congress as a means of raising public awareness?

Accepted Answer

Celebrities are often used by interest groups to testify before Congress as a means of raising public awareness. Their fame and popularity can draw attention to the issue and bring it to the forefront of public discussion.

Question 13

When interest groups employ former members of government as lobbyists, they are creating

Accepted Answer

The answer of When interest groups employ former members of...

Question 14

When interest groups engage in indirect strategies to support candidates supportive of their agendas, it is known as

Accepted Answer

Electioneering refers to the indirect strategies used by interest groups to support candidates who are likely to be supportive of their agendas. This can include activities such as fundraising, mobilizing voters, and running issue-based ads. The other options (A) issue networking, (B) environmental triangulation, (C) climate control, and (E) reputation management, are not directly related to interest group involvement in elections.

Question 15

Who can legally contribute to federal political action committees?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Who can legally contribute to federal political...

Question 16

Who uses interest group ratings to measure a candidate's popularity or legislative performance?

Accepted Answer

Interest group ratings are used by voters, the media, and candidates themselves to measure a candidate's popularity or legislative performance. Voters may be interested in the ratings to make informed decisions about who to support, while the media may use them as a way to report on a candidate's effectiveness or stance on certain issues. Candidates themselves may also pay attention to interest group ratings to gauge their effectiveness and make changes to their platform accordingly.

Question 17

The interaction of mutual interests involving interest groups, government officials, and members of Congress is known as the

Accepted Answer

An iron triangle refers to the mutually beneficial relationship among interest groups, government officials, and members of Congress. Together, they form a powerful network that helps to shape policy and ensure that their respective interests are protected. This concept is also sometimes referred to as a subgovernment or a policy community.

Question 18

President Ulysses S. Grant coined which of the following terms after walking through the Willard Hotel and commenting on the presence of people who represented various interests and were waiting to speak to members of Congress?

Accepted Answer

President Ulysses S. Grant coined the term "lobbyist" after walking through the Willard Hotel and commenting on the presence of people who represented various interests and were waiting to speak to members of Congress.

Question 19

Which of the following is/are employed by special interest representatives to gain access to policymakers?

Accepted Answer

Each of these methods can be used by special interest representatives to gain access to policymakers. Face-to-face meetings allow for personal interaction and the opportunity to make a persuasive argument, while "buttonholing" in the Capitol allows representatives to catch policymakers quickly and have brief conversations. Telephone calls can be used to make quick requests or follow up on previous discussions. Receptions and special events provide a more informal setting for representatives to network and get to know policymakers personally.

Question 20

The practice of using public outreach to build favorable public opinion of an organization or company is known as

Accepted Answer

The answer of The practice of using public outreach to...

Quiz 7: Interest Groups