Question 1

The citizens of ________ are most actively involved in interest groups and community causes.

Accepted Answer

The United States has a strong tradition of civic engagement and a highly developed culture of interest groups and community organizations, with a high percentage of citizens being involved in such activities.

Question 2

Another name for an interest group is

Accepted Answer

While the other options may have some similarities or connections to interest groups, "pressure group" is the most commonly used synonym for interest group.

Question 3

Which of the following organizations is NOT an example of a single-issue group?

Accepted Answer

MoveOn.org is a multi-issue advocacy organization, focused primarily on progressive and Democratic Party causes. The other choices are all single-issue groups, with the Sierra Club focused on environmentalism, the National Rifle Association focused on gun rights, climate change groups focused on climate change policy, and right-to-life groups focused on abortion policy.

Question 4

Roughly how many American workers currently belong to unions?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Roughly how many American workers currently belong...

Question 5

The dominant labor interest group is

Accepted Answer

The AFL-CIO is the largest federation of labor unions in the United States, representing more than 12 million workers across all industries. It is the dominant labor interest group in terms of membership and political influence. While some individual unions, such as the Teamsters or United Auto Workers, may have more members than certain AFL-CIO affiliates, the federation as a whole represents the broadest range of workers and wields the most collective bargaining power.

Question 6

The most numerous economic groups are

Accepted Answer

Business groups include a wide variety of organizations, such as corporations, trade associations, and chambers of commerce. These groups are typically focused on advancing the interests of businesses and promoting economic growth, and they represent a significant proportion of the overall economy. While labor groups and professional groups are also important, they are generally less numerous than business groups. Occupational and farm groups are typically more specialized and niche-focused.

Question 7

A basic reason for the existence of so many interest groups in the United States is

Accepted Answer

All of the choices listed contribute to the existence of numerous interest groups in the United States. The American tradition of free association allows citizens to form and join organizations that advance their interests. The diverse interests among American society create a need for various interest groups to represent specific issues and concerns. The federal system of government grants powers to both the national and state governments, which allows interest groups to lobby and influence policy at multiple levels. The separation of powers in American government, which divides power among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, also creates opportunities for interest groups to influence each branch and advocate for their causes.

Question 8

A purposive incentive is defined as

Accepted Answer

A purposive incentive is a motivation to act based on the idea that individuals are seeking to contribute to a larger purpose or goal beyond themselves, rather than simply seeking direct economic gain. Option B, "the opportunity to contribute to a worthy goal or purpose," best reflects this definition. The other answer choices are not as closely related to the concept of purposive incentives.

Question 9

In an effort to overcome the free-rider problem, noneconomic groups have

Accepted Answer

Non-economic groups often use modern technology such as the Internet and computer-assisted mailing lists to efficiently target potential donors and overcome the free-rider problem by encouraging contributions and participation.

Question 10

An interest group that focuses on policy benefits for senior citizens would be an example of

Accepted Answer

The answer of An interest group that focuses on policy...

Question 11

Citizens' interest groups are distinguished from economic interest groups by the fact that

Accepted Answer

Economic interest groups aim to achieve policies that will directly benefit their members financially, while citizens' interest groups are driven by broader public policy concerns and do not seek direct economic benefits for their members.

Question 12

About ________ percent of people who regularly listen to National Public Radio do not donate money to their local station.

Accepted Answer

The answer of About ________ percent of people who regularly...

Question 13

The situation in which individuals are tempted not to contribute to a cause because they will get the benefits even if they do not participate is called the

Accepted Answer

The free-rider problem arises when individuals are able to benefit from a collective good without contributing to its production. This can create a situation in which individuals are tempted to free-ride, as they can avoid the costs of contributing while still enjoying the benefits. This can lead to underinvestment in public goods and services.

Question 14

During his visit to this country in the 1830s, Alexis de Tocqueville described the United States as "a nation of ________."

Accepted Answer

Alexis de Tocqueville described the United States as "a nation of joiners" in his book "Democracy in America," highlighting the strong tradition of voluntary associations and civic engagement in American society.

Question 15

The most fully organized interests are those that have which of the following as their primary purpose?

Accepted Answer

Economic activity is the primary purpose behind the most fully organized interests such as business associations, trade unions, and professional organizations. These groups are formed to represent the common interests of their members in the economic arena and to promote their collective economic well-being. Environmental protection, civil liberties, labor reform, and reform of government are important issues, but they are not the primary purpose of most fully organized interests.

Question 16

Some groups pursue collective goods. A collective good is one that

Accepted Answer

A collective good is something that cannot be selectively granted or denied to individuals; it must be shared by everyone. Examples of collective goods include clean air, national defense, and public parks.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a typical interest-group function?

Accepted Answer

Interest groups typically address specific issues rather than a broad and diverse range of public issues.

Question 18

The air we breathe is an example of a

Accepted Answer

The air we breathe is a collective good because it is non-excludable, meaning no one can be prevented from breathing it, and non-rival, meaning that one person's consumption of it does not reduce its availability for others. It is also a public good, meaning it is provided by the government for everyone to use.

Question 19

The theory that society's interests are most effectively represented through group action is

Accepted Answer

Pluralist theory suggests that society's interests are most effectively represented through group action, as opposed to the interests of a single elite group. This theory assumes that there are many groups in competition with each other to influence public policy and that no one group can dominate. It also assumes that the government acts as a neutral mediator between these groups, rather than favoring any particular interest.

Question 20

Economic groups have an advantage over noneconomic groups because

Accepted Answer

Economic groups have an advantage over noneconomic groups because they have greater access to financial resources, which can allow them to hire lobbyists, run advertising campaigns, and donate to political campaigns. This gives them greater influence over policy decisions than groups that lack financial resources.

Quiz 9: Interest Groups: Organizing for Influence