Deck 8: Interest Groups

Question 1

In the early twentieth century, workers organized _______ to protect their interests and counteract the power of wealthy business corporations.

A) assemblies
B) civic groups
C) churches
D) trade associations
E) unions

Answer 1

E

Question 2

When a group forms in response to an economic or political event but does not focus on only one issue, the group is said to be a

A) grassroots movement.
B) union.
C) special interest.
D) political action committee.
E) nongovernmental organization.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Citizens generally join interest groups for all the following reasons EXCEPT

A) to advance their personal economic well-being.
B) to get their voice heard as part of a larger group's efforts on an issue.
C) to meet like-minded citizens.
D) to participate in a democratic society.
E) to run for office.

Answer 3

E

Question 4

The act of trying to persuade elected officials to adopt a specific policy change or to maintain the status quo is called

A) bartering.
B) quartering.
C) free exercise.
D) lobbying.
E) association.

Question 5

__________ are typically formed to draw attention to public issues that affect all citizens equally, such as environmental protection, transparency in government, consumer product safety, ethics reform, and campaign finance reform.

A) Citizens' groups
B) Professional associations
C) Single-issue groups
D) Trade associations
E) Unions

Question 6

The membership bases of economic interest groups tends to be exclusive because

A) few people can afford to join their groups.
B) their purpose is to secure tangible economic benefits for themselves.
C) they ultimately plan to merge with similar groups.
D) their professional association is limited.
E) they can't make an impact with a large group of people.

Question 7

The American Bar Association (lawyers), the American Medical Association (doctors), and the American International Automobile Dealers Association (car dealers) are examples of __________. These groups are frequently responsible for setting guidelines for professional conduct and for collectively representing the members in the policy process.

A) grassroots movement groups
B) professional associations
C) trade associations
D) unions
E) corporations

Question 8

In 1831, the political theorist __________ observed that Americans liked to form groups and join associations as a way of participating in community and political life.

A) Alexis de Tocqueville
B) David Hume
C) Immanuel Kant
D) Niccolò Machiavelli
E) Thomas Hobbes

Question 9

Abolitionist and women's suffrage groups paralleled each other in using the _________ as a rationale for supporting their policy goals.

A) principle of equality
B) principle of freedom
C) principle of lobbying
D) principle of justice
E) principle of diminishing returns

Question 10

__________ are a subcategory of economic interest groups that focus on particular businesses or industries. Examples include the National Association of Manufacturers, Chamber of Commerce, National Retail Federation, and Semiconductor Industry Association.

A) Citizens' groups
B) Professional associations
C) Trade associations
D) Unions
E) Corporations

Question 11

In recent years, public employee unions have come under increasing challenge over issues related to

A) issue networks.
B) international trade.
C) wages and pensions.
D) Medicare and Medicaid.
E) grassroots mobilization.

Question 12

In recent years, private sector union membership has

A) plateaued.
B) completely disappeared.
C) doubled.
D) declined.
E) tripled.

Question 13

Alexis de Tocqueville noted that the formation of group life was an important element of the success of _________ in America.

A) revolutionaries
B) democracy
C) political action committees
D) socialism
E) unions

Question 14

The right to assemble is protected by the

A) First Amendment.
B) Second Amendment.
C) Third Amendment.
D) Fourth Amendment.
E) Fifth Amendment.

Question 15

The right of petition gives individuals all of the following rights EXCEPT

A) the right to ask for compensation.
B) the right to ask for a policy change.
C) the right to express opposition to a policy.
D) the right to a speedy trial.
E) the right to lobby.

Question 16

Trade associations form out of a belief that _________, they can better influence the policy process.

A) collectively
B) individually
C) ideologically
D) secretly
E) rapidly

Question 17

James Madison was concerned about factions that would

A) divide the political parties in many ways.
B) refuse to participate in the electoral process.
C) place its own interests above the interests of society.
D) unify the country.
E) need to be suppressed.

Question 18

The First Amendment provides for the _________, which is the cornerstone of interest group protection.

A) right of due process
B) right to manipulation
C) right  to free speech
D) right of association
E) right of special interest

Question 19

The__________ enforces mandatory standards for worker safety and health guidelines, and oversees bargaining agreements between management and unions.

A) Association for Workers' Safety and Health
B) Department of Labor
C) Department of Safety
D) Commerce Department
E) Workers' Moderation Union

Question 20

Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin, faced a recall election in June of 2012 for his restrictions on ________ rights.

A) civil
B) Second Amendment
C) collective bargaining
D) immigration
E) human

Question 21

E. E. Schattschneider believed that the sometimes narrow focus of interest groups is

A) unrealistic and unsustainable.
B) the only moral impetus for change.
C) a threat to democracy.
D) a legitimate and laudable goal.
E) a boon to democracy.

Question 22

When President Obama denied the application to build the Keystone Pipeline XL in 2015, considered a strong stance against climate change, the Sierra Club issued a press release claiming credit for its efforts to help defeat the pipeline. This is an example of an interest group attempting to ________ its members.

A) inform
B) manipulate
C) control
D) investigate
E) obfuscate

Question 23

According to your text, one of the best-known organizations that seeks to influence foreign policy is

A) the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
B) Global Solidarity Network.
C) the National Council of the Churches of Christ.
D) Amnesty International.
E) Human Rights Watch.

Question 24

In  McCutcheon et al. v. Federal Election Commission,  the Court expanded the right of a(n)_________ to spend unlimited money on federal elections.

A) individual
B) corporation
C) union
D) special interest
E) political action committee

Question 25

During a typical day, lobbyists phone, e-mail, and meet with congressional staffers, their clients, and possibly members of the media to gather information about relevant issues for their clients or

A) to promote their clients' policy positions.
B) to develop their staffers ' agenda.
C) to promote their staffers to higher positions within their committee.
D) to encourage their staffers to run for office.
E) to develop policy positions for their clients to take.

Question 26

The K Street corridor is known for which of the following?

A) It is the street between the Capitol and congressional office buildings.
B) Most government corporations and agencies reside on this street.
C) Many lobbyists work on this street.
D) Congressional staffers usually live on this street.
E) Lobbyists use the street to "ambush" members of Congress on their way to work.

Question 27

When lobbyists deal directly with legislators and their staff to seek a narrow policy change, they are engaging in a(n)

A) beltway strategy.
B) insider strategy.
C) outsider strategy.
D) grassroots strategy.
E) backroom strategy.

Question 28

__________ worried that a power elite controlled power in the American democracy.

A) Alexis de Tocqueville
B) C. Wright Mills
C) David Truman
D) Mancur Olson
E) James Madison

Question 29

Groups with tax-exempt status, known as _________ organizations, are prohibited from engaging in any activity on behalf of a candidate or party in an election campaign.

A) PAC
B) grassroots
C) 501(b)(3)
D) 501(c)(5)
E) 501(c)(3)

Question 30

Citizen groups such as Common Cause, and single issue groups such as the National Rifle Association, are examples of

A) trade associations.
B) grassroots movements.
C) unions.
D) ideological interest groups.
E) economic interest groups.

Question 31

Generally speaking, the Supreme Court has ruled that campaign spending is a form of speech, and that the Court requires that Congress show a(n) _________ before it can regulate it.

A) self-interest
B) reasonable interest
C) malicious intent
D) compelling interest
E) intent to harm

Question 32

__________ are not affiliated with any government and work hard to preserve their neutrality so that they can operate in as many parts of the world as possible.

A) Citizens' groups
B) Lobbyists
C) Nongovernmental organizations
D) Political action committees
E) Single-issue groups

Question 33

Given the amount of money that PACs spend on campaign support, many people are concerned that

A) PACs don't represent any public groups.
B) PACs are restricted from freely donating money.
C) PACs exert a disproportionate influence over legislators.
D) PACs don't ever share workers' interests.
E) PACs are actively engaging in the electoral arena.

Question 34

Groups specially formed to raise and contribute funds to support electoral candidates and that are subject to campaign finance laws are called

A) unions.
B) political action committees.
C) special interests.
D) 501(c)(3) organizations.
E) 501(c)(4) organizations.

Question 35

Robert Dahl argued that in a __________ society, the varied interest groups that emerge to represent their members will, in their battles over public policy, produce a consensus that serves the public's common interest.

A) capitalist
B) communist
C) majoritarian
D) pluralist
E) totalitarian

Question 36

In  Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission,  the Court ruled that individuals, corporations, and unions can

A) donate as much money as they want directly to candidates.
B) donate as much money as they want to political parties.
C) spend as much money as they want for any lobbying purposes.
D) spend as much money as they want on issue ads.
E) lobby Congress and support candidates with no limit on contributions.

Question 37

A set of groups seeking a particular benefit for themselves in the policy process are known as

A) corporate interests.
B) union interests.
C) special interests.
D) citizen interests.
E) public interests.

Question 38

When the federal government shut down in October 2013, the congressmen who refused to vote for continued funding did so due to lobbying pressure from the

A) AARP.
B) American Bankers Association.
C) National Rifle Association.
D) Club for Growth.
E) NAACP.

Question 39

The __________restricted corporations and unions from using television and radio ads for "electioneering communications" that refer to a candidate by name within thirty days of a primary and sixty days of a general election.

A) McCain-Feingold Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act
B) Federal Election Commission Reform Act
C) Political Action Committee Reform Act
D) Citizens United Supreme Court decision
E) McCutcheon et al. v. Federal Election Commis sion Supreme Court decision

Question 40

The ________view sees a democratic society as one in which interest groups will compete over policy goals, and elected officials are mediators of group conflict.

A) conservative
B) pluralist
C) socialist
D) liberal
E) majoritarian

Question 41

Being able to express an opinion in the larger social or political sphere can be considered a(n) _________ benefit.

A) expressive
B) material
C) tangible
D) solidary
E) social

Question 42

Explain where in the Constitution interest groups gain their right to exist.

Question 43

A group like AARP might offer exclusive discounts on insurance, reduced rates on hotel stays, or similar

A) public goods.
B) selective benefits.
C) expressive benefits.
D) solidary benefits.
E) social benefits.

Question 44

In assessing the power of interest groups in a democracy, it is important to remember that interest groups

A) do not represent the majority of people.
B) typically have millions of dollars in funding.
C) act in their own self-interest.
D) create losses for the general public.
E) do not pass or implement laws.

Question 45

Describe what an interest group is.

Question 46

Discuss why Madison and the Framers feared factions.

Question 47

Explain grassroots movements. Provide at least one example.

Question 48

A(n) __________ organizes citizens into a formal group that agrees on a united purpose and then takes a leadership role in directing the group's activities.

A) bureaucrat
B) free rider
C) interest group entrepreneur
D) issue network leader
E) member of Congress

Question 49

The simple pleasure of being surrounded by people with similar interests and perspectives and who share professional or personal concerns is an example of a(n) __________ benefit.

A) expressive
B) material
C) political
D) solidary
E) monetary

Question 50

When a group lobbies for public goods or collective benefits that are so widespread that members and nonmembers alike receive them, incentives to join the group disappear. Mancur Olson called this the

A) free rider problem.
B) problem of public goods.
C) security dilemma.
D) selective benefits problem.
E) tragedy of the commons.

Question 51

__________ goods are available to all, whether one has contributed toward the provision of that good or not.

A) Expressive
B) Material
C) Monetary
D) Public
E) Social

Question 52

Movement of members of Congress, lobbyists, and executive branch employees into paid positions in each other's organizations is known as

A) democratic society.
B) the iron triangle.
C) the revolving door.
D) an interest group window.
E) selective benefits.

Question 53

According to the text, what can sometimes bring an interest group into conflict with its core principles?

A) high visibility
B) concern for survival
C) financial stability
D) huge growth
E) focus on expressive benefits

Question 54

Interest groups offer ________ to attract and keep members.

A) free rider benefits
B) selective benefits
C) reactive benefits
D) elusive benefits
E) societal benefits

Question 55

In his farewell address, President Eisenhower warned the nation about the military-industrial complex because he recognized

A) how the military, defense industry, and legislative bodies should act as one to best serve citizens of the U.S.
B) the importance of building a strong military that would work with federal agencies to budget costs.
C) that European nations were building stronger military holdings and would need to be kept in check.
D) the U.S. military, defense industry, and federal agencies had become interconnected and posed a negative economic, political, and spiritual influence.
E) that interest groups were going unrecognized in the U.S. and needed to be brought to the forefront as representatives of the people.

Question 56

The relationship among interest groups, members of Congress, and federal agencies is referred to by critics as

A) the iron triangle.
B) issue networks.
C) the iron law.
D) the public interest.
E) iron networks.

Question 57

Which of the following statements about iron triangles is the most accurate?

A) Iron triangles are virtually unbreakable.
B) Iron triangles contribute to government efficiency.
C) Iron triangles help eliminate unnecessary programs.
D) Iron triangles do not consider the interests of members of Congress.
E) Iron triangles are more beneficial to Congress than to interest groups or federal agencies.

Question 58

Interests groups can achieve financial stability by doing all of the following EXCEPT

A) creating not-for-profit businesses.
B) fundraising using the Internet.
C) ensuring that expenditures exceed income.
D) collecting dues from members.
E) keeping operating costs in line with income.

Question 59

Over a hundred years ago, Robert Michels coined the phrase "__________" to describe when interest group leaders do not properly serve their members, and he argued that larger interest groups were especially susceptible to unresponsive or abusive leaderships.

A) iron alliance
B) iron law of oligarchy
C) iron triangle
D) revolving door
E) selective benefits

Question 60

Interest group scholar Hugh Heclo suggests that the term "__________" is better than iron triangle, and argues that interest groups, members of Congress, and bureaucrats all share information constantly, and that their interactions are actually quite open and transparent, rather than closed.

A) bureaucracy
B) issue network
C) iron alliance
D) military-industrial complex
E) policy network

Question 61

How do interest groups utilize the press's watchdog role over the government?

Question 62

Name sources of financial stability for interest groups.

Question 63

Identify different interest group strategies.

Question 64

Define political action committee .

Question 65

Explain how ideological groups can encourage political participation in a democratic society and also contribute to the polarization of the American public overall.

Question 66

Relate what de Tocqueville said about Americans and groups to the study of interest groups in our modern society.

Question 67

What is an inside strategy? Why do interest groups employ it?

Question 68

How has the American public benefited from the efforts of interest groups? Provide specific examples.

Question 69

Describe the different types of economic interest groups.

Question 70

Explain the pluralist view of society.

Question 71

Describe the iron law of oligarchy.

Question 72

Identify two interest groups with an enduring voice in American democracy.

Question 73

Differentiate self-interest from public interest.

Question 74

Discuss the parallels between the women's suffrage movement and antislavery efforts early on in our political history.

Question 75

Do interest groups balance out each other the way Madison thought they would? Why or why not?

Question 76

Evaluate the different types of economic interest groups. What are their goals? How do they differ?

Question 77

What are ideological interest groups? Give an example.

Question 78

Explain iron triangles. Why is the word "iron" in the name?

Question 79

Discuss what lobbyists usually do during a typical day in Washington and its politics.

Question 80

What makes an interest group successful?  Why have some been enduring, while others are less likely to remain in existence?