Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

E. E. Schattschneider argued that the narrow focus of interest groups could be a threat to democracy because it allows a small segment of society to have a disproportionate influence on public policy, potentially marginalizing broader public interests.

Question 2

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.

Accepted Answer

The Sierra Club issuing a press release claiming credit for its efforts to help defeat the Keystone Pipeline XL is an example of an interest group attempting to inform its members about its involvement and achievements in the fight against the pipeline, showcasing its influence and effectiveness in advocacy against climate change.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is well-known for its efforts to influence U.S. foreign policy, especially in matters related to Israel.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

In McCutcheon et al. v. Federal Election Commission, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of expanding the rights of individuals to spend unlimited amounts of money on federal elections, striking down aggregate limits on individual contributions to political campaigns and committees.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Lobbyists promote their clients' policy positions to congressional staffers, their clients, and possibly members of the media.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

K Street in Washington, D.C., is famously known for being home to many lobbying firms and lobbyists, who seek to influence federal policy and legislation.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

An insider strategy refers to the direct interaction between lobbyists and policymakers or their staff, aiming to influence legislation or policy decisions from within the political or legislative process. This approach contrasts with outsider or grassroots strategies, which seek to mobilize public opinion or apply pressure from outside the formal political channels.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

C. Wright Mills is known for his work on the structure of power in American society, in which he introduced the concept of the power elite—a small group of people who control a disproportionate amount of wealth, political power, and military power.

Question 9

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.

Accepted Answer

501(c)(3) organizations are tax-exempt and are restricted from participating in political campaigns on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate. This is to ensure they maintain their tax-exempt status and focus on their primary non-profit missions.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

These groups are ideological interest groups because they are organized around specific sets of beliefs or issues, such as government accountability or gun rights.

Question 11

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.

Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court has ruled that campaign spending is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment, and that Congress must show a compelling interest to justify regulations that would limit this form of speech.

Question 12

__________ 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.

Accepted Answer

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are independent of any government and maintain their neutrality to operate globally, focusing on various issues like human rights, environmental protection, and development projects.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

PACs (Political Action Committees) are known for their significant financial contributions to campaigns, which can lead to concerns about their potential to exert undue influence over legislators, swaying decisions in favor of their interests rather than the public's.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

Political Action Committees (PACs) are specifically formed to raise and contribute money to support electoral candidates and are regulated by campaign finance laws.

Question 15

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.

Accepted Answer

Robert Dahl argued that in a pluralist society, the competition among various interest groups will lead to a consensus that ultimately serves the public's common interest. This is because no single group can dominate, and compromises must be made.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission primarily held that corporations and unions can spend unlimited amounts of money on independent political expenditures, such as issue ads, that are not directly coordinated with candidates or political parties. This ruling did not affect direct contributions to candidates or political parties, which remain subject to limits.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

Special interests refer to groups that seek specific benefits for themselves through the policy process, often at the expense of a broader public interest. These can include a wide range of organizations or associations focused on particular goals or benefits for their members.

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

The Club for Growth, a conservative organization, was a significant influence on some congressmen's decision to refuse to vote for continued funding, contributing to the federal government shutdown in October 2013. This group is known for advocating for limited government and lower taxes, and it exerted pressure on lawmakers to adhere to these principles, even if it meant facing a government shutdown.

Question 19

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.

Accepted Answer

The McCain-Feingold Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, also known as the BCRA, specifically restricted corporations and unions from using their funds for "electioneering communications" close to elections, aiming to reduce the influence of money in politics.

Question 20

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.

Accepted Answer

The pluralist view posits that a democratic society is characterized by the competition among various interest groups for policy influence, with elected officials acting as mediators in the conflicts between these groups. This perspective emphasizes the diversity of interests and the role of negotiation and compromise in policymaking.

Quiz 8: Interest Groups