Question 1

Which group is recognized as the national Catholic peace movement?

Accepted Answer

Pax Christi USA is a well-known and respected national Catholic peace movement with a mission to promote peace, respect for human rights, and justice throughout the world. The other answer choices are not affiliated with the Catholic Church or focused on peace movements.

Question 2

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 3

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

Accepted Answer

The Moral Majority, a conservative Christian political organization, was instrumental in mobilizing voters and endorsing Ronald Reagan's candidacy during the 1980 presidential election. Their support is considered to have been a crucial factor in Reagan's victory.

Question 4

Which of the following are key factors in an interest groups' organizational environment?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following are key factors...

Question 5

All of these are examples of public interest groups EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The AFL-CIO is a labor union, not a public interest group. The other organizations listed are all examples of public interest groups.

Question 6

The Occupy Movement that protested income inequality reached a crescendo of activism in 2011, but activity has quieted significantly since that time. This is an example of what facet of interest group membership?

Accepted Answer

Intensity refers to the degree of commitment and activity by interest group members. The Occupy Movement had a high level of intensity in 2011, but it has since waned, demonstrating the importance of intensity in interest group success.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

All of these methods (face-to-face meetings, "buttonholing" in the Capitol, telephone calls, receptions and special events) are commonly employed by special interest representatives to gain access to policymakers.

Question 8

The benefits of interest group activity are most often not limited to the group's membership, but rather result in

Accepted Answer

Interest groups often work to achieve collective goods, or benefits that are enjoyed by many people, even those who are not members of the group. For example, an environmental interest group may lobby for stricter pollution regulations that benefit the general public by improving air and water quality.

Question 9

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 10

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

Accepted Answer

Foreign interests are most likely to lobby the U.S. government for trade policies as it directly affects their economic interests and international trade relations.

Question 11

In elections, PAC funding shapes electoral outcomes by tending to favor which type of candidate?

Accepted Answer

PAC funding tends to favor incumbents because they are perceived as safer bets for campaign donations, given their established track records and higher name recognition. Incumbents also have access to a larger pool of donors, further increasing their advantage in fundraising.

Question 12

Separate entities formed by interest groups whose specific goal is to raise and spend money to influence election outcomes are known as

Accepted Answer

Political action committees (PACs) are formed by interest groups for the purpose of raising and spending money to influence election outcomes. They are regulated by the Federal Election Commission and are subject to specific rules regarding their fundraising and spending activities. PACs can support particular candidates or parties, or they can focus on specific issues or policy goals.

Question 13

In 2010, which religious interest group advocated the construction of an Islamic center at the site of the World Trade Center?

Accepted Answer

CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) advocated for the construction of an Islamic center at the site of the World Trade Center in 2010.

Question 14

Ralph Nader is best known for his involvement with ________ interest groups.

Accepted Answer

Ralph Nader is best known for his involvement with consumer interest groups, particularly as an advocate for improving product safety and holding corporations accountable for their actions.

Question 15

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce represents a collective group of large and small business; it is an example of what type of interest group?

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce represents a variety of businesses, both large and small, and serves as an umbrella organization for these business interests. It is not a labor interest group (A), consumer interest group (B), political action committee (D), or solidary organization (E).

Question 16

Of all the different types of U.S. interest groups, which of the following tends to have the most disproportionate amount of influence?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Of all the different types of U.S....

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

The emphasis of the Christian Coalition's platform is pro-family values, which is best described by choice E. This includes opposition to abortion and gay marriage, promotion of traditional gender roles, and advocacy for school prayer and other religious activities in public spaces. Choices A, B, and D are more likely to be associated with progressive or liberal political platforms, while choice C is more aligned with conservative or libertarian positions.

Question 18

The theory that it does not make economic sense for someone to participate in collective action when they can receive a benefit without participating is known as

Accepted Answer

The theory described is known as rational choice theory, which posits that individuals will weigh the costs and benefits of participating in collective action, and may choose not to participate if they can still receive the benefits without doing so.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes union membership in the United States since the 1960s?

Accepted Answer

Union membership in the United States has declined dramatically since the 1960s, with the percentage of workers in unions dropping from around 30% in the 1960s to less than 11% in 2020.

Question 20

The problem of someone deriving a benefit from the actions of others is known as the

Accepted Answer

The free rider problem occurs when individuals or groups benefit from a public good or service without contributing to its provision. This can create a disincentive for others to contribute, which can lead to under-provision of the public good or service. The other options listed are not recognized terms for this concept.

Quiz 7: Interest Groups