Question 1

Describe the different types of social groups in Texas and explain why they exist.

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Question 2

Why does Texas have weak political parties and strong interest groups, when its characteristics would lead researchers to expect the opposite?

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Question 3

Describe how lobbyists attempt to influence elected officials through personal contact and through grassroots mobilization. How might these techniques enhance representative government, and how might they distort the democratic process?

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Question 4

Distinguish between a business group and a labor group. In what ways are their goals and membership different? Despite their differences, what makes them both "economic"interest groups?

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Question 5

Distinguish between a professional interest group and a public employee interest group. In what ways are their goals and membership different? Which of the two would "public school teachers" more closely resemble?

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Question 6

Explain the difference between the legal gifts and favors that a lobbyist may provide and illegal bribery.

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Question 7

Describe the characteristics of interest groups, distinguishing between an interest group and a political party. In what ways are their goals and membership different? In what ways do they interact with one another?

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Question 8

Interest groups in Texas must operate under the laws of the state. What are the state regulations regarding interest groups and how are they enforced? Comment on the perceived effectiveness of these regulations in Texas.

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Question 9

What is an interest group and how is it different from a political party?

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Question 10

Based on what you have learned about interest group membership and objectives, and using your career goal as a starting point, which type of interest group are you more likely to join and why? Assess the strength of your potential group relative to other kinds of groups active in Texas politics.

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Question 11

What was the impact of the court case Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission in 2009?

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Question 12

Identify and discuss the factors that contribute to the success or effectiveness of interest groups. Which factors seem most important?

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Question 13

Describe how interest groups attempt to influence elections through electioneering and campaign financing. Explain the role and influence of Political Action Committees (PACs) in this process.

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Question 14

Compare and contrast centralized and decentralized structures of interest groups. Which, if either, seems to work best? Is there any special reason why an interest group would choose one over the other?

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Question 15

The system of politics in Texas can be described as one with
A) weak parties and weak interest groups.
B) strong parties and strong interest groups.
C) strong parties and weak interest groups.
D) weak parties and strong interest groups.

Accepted Answer

The system of politics in Texas is characterized by weak political parties and strong interest groups. Due to the absence of formal party registration, the role of political parties in the state is reduced. Interest groups, on the other hand, are highly organized and influential in shaping public policy. They often have significant financial resources and lobby state legislators on specific issues. Therefore, overall, Texas has a political system with weak parties and strong interest groups.

Question 16

Explain some of the reasons why interest groups in Texas have proliferated over the last few decades. Explain the potential positive and negative aspects of this proliferation.

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Quiz 7: The Politics of Interest Groups