Question 1

How are interest groups legally protected in the United States?

Accepted Answer

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to assembly and petition the government for redress of grievances, which legally protects interest groups in the United States. Labor laws, public support, state government protections, and vesting of powers to lobby Congress are not as directly tied to the legal protection of interest groups as the First Amendment. The statement about the federal government banning lobbying by special interest groups is also false, as lobbying is legal and regulated at both the federal and state levels.

Question 2

A Crédit Mobilier was

Accepted Answer

A Crédit Mobilier was a financial scam where insiders of the Union Pacific Railroad created a construction company with inflated prices and then awarded contracts to themselves in order to funnel money from the railroad into their own pockets.

Question 3

Which theory says that public policy largely results from a variety of interest groups competing with one another to promote laws that benefit members of their respective groups?

Accepted Answer

The theory that public policy largely results from a variety of interest groups competing with one another to promote laws that benefit members of their respective groups is called pluralism. Pluralism suggests that no one group dominates policy-making, and that through this competition, policies are created that reflect a balance of competing interests.

Question 4

An organization of people with shared goals that tries to influence public policy through a variety of activities is called

Accepted Answer

An interest group is an organization of people with shared goals that tries to influence public policy through a variety of activities such as lobbying, fundraising, and public demonstrations. Interest groups can represent various interests including business, labor, environmental, and civil rights groups.

Question 5

Which of the following is an important difference between interest groups and political parties?

Accepted Answer

Interest groups tend to focus on specific issues, such as environmental protection or gun rights, while political parties have a more broad ideological approach, encompassing a range of issues and policies.

Question 6

Which of the following is one of the major differences between political parties and interest groups?

Accepted Answer

The major difference between political parties and interest groups is that political parties run candidates for office while interest groups do not. However, both parties and interest groups can endorse candidates and work to influence the development of legislation in Congress. The other choices are incorrect statements.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of interest group activity?

Accepted Answer

The disadvantage of interest group activity is that it concentrates benefits for the few while distributing costs to the many.

Question 8

Unlike political parties, interest groups

Accepted Answer

None of the options describe interest groups accurately. Interest groups are formed to advance a specific agenda or promote a particular policy or issue, and they focus on a narrower range of concerns than political parties. They do not try to appeal to as many individuals as possible, but rather to those who share their goals and values. While some interest groups may have an ideological orientation, this is not necessarily true of all groups.

Question 9

Alexis de Tocqueville in his 1835 book Democracy in America addressed, among other things, the existence of interest groups in America. What was Tocqueville's opinion of interest groups?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Alexis de Tocqueville in his 1835 book...

Question 10

Robert Dahl's "access points"

Accepted Answer

The answer of Robert Dahl's "access points"
...

Question 11

Unlike interest groups, political parties

Accepted Answer

Political parties are generally all-encompassing, guided by broader ideological approaches to governing rather than by a specific policy position, and try to appeal to as many individuals as possible.

Question 12

Which of the following is the most influential interest group that lobbies for the needs of the elderly?

Accepted Answer

The American Association for Retired People (AARP) is the largest interest group that lobbies for the needs of the elderly. Its membership includes millions of Americans over the age of 50, and it advocates on issues such as healthcare, Social Security, and age discrimination. The other options listed do not specifically focus on advocating for the needs of the elderly.

Question 13

Which theory says that public policy is a product of whatever the majority of citizens prefer?

Accepted Answer

Majoritarianism theory suggests that public policy is shaped by the preferences and opinions of the majority of citizens. It assumes that in a democracy, the majority rules, and their preferences are reflected in public policies. This theory overlooks the opinions and interests of minority groups, though.

Question 14

de Tocqueville praised

Accepted Answer

de Tocqueville praised how Americans used group activity, specifically their use of associations and civic organizations, in democracy. He saw this as a unique aspect of American democracy that helped promote equality and a sense of community.

Question 15

What was the significance of Ralph Nader's work in the 1960s and 1970s?

Accepted Answer

Ralph Nader was an influential consumer advocate who led a successful campaign to challenge the safety and health problems created by large corporations during the 1960s and 1970s. He recruited young activists to help him in his efforts, and his work led to the creation of several important laws and government agencies, including the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Nader's work helped to increase awareness of the importance of consumer protection and corporate accountability in American society.

Question 16

James Madison notes in Federalist No. 10 that "the latent causes of faction are thus sown in the nature of man." This means

Accepted Answer

James Madison is discussing the causes of political factions, which he believes are inherent in human nature. Option B correctly summarizes this idea. Options A, C, D, and E are all unrelated or incorrect.

Question 17

Robert Dahl describes a number of "access points" for special interest groups to influence policy. Which of the following is NOT one of these access points?

Accepted Answer

Robert Dahl lists five access points for special interest groups to influence policy: Congress, the executive branch offices, the courts, the news media, and elections. Political party organizations are not explicitly listed as an access point by Dahl.

Question 18

Unlike political parties, interest groups

Accepted Answer

Interest groups are formed to advocate for a specific cause or set of related causes, and they appeal to individuals who share those interests. They don't try to appeal to a broad range of individuals like political parties do. Hence, option A, B, and C are all true, making option D the correct answer.

Question 19

Public support for interest groups is varied. James Madison, especially in his Federalist No. 10, argued that

Accepted Answer

James Madison argued that interest groups, or factions, are inevitable in a free society and cannot be eliminated without infringing on liberty. Instead, he suggested controlling their effects through a large republic.

Question 20

Which of the following illegal acts was committed by Jack Abramoff?

Accepted Answer

Jack Abramoff committed all of the acts listed in the answer choices. He offered free skybox seats to members of Congress, overbilled Native American tribes who employed him, orchestrated lobbying campaigns against those tribes, and charged Congressional vacation airfares on his credit card. These actions were illegal and resulted in his eventual imprisonment.

Quiz 11: Interest Groups

How are interest groups legally protected in the United States?

A Crédit Mobilier was

Which theory says that public policy largely results from a variety of interest groups competing with one another to promote laws that benefit members of their respective groups?

An organization of people with shared goals that tries to influence public policy through a variety of activities is called

Which of the following is an important difference between interest groups and political parties?

Which of the following is one of the major differences between political parties and interest groups?

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of interest group activity?

Unlike political parties, interest groups

Alexis de Tocqueville in his 1835 book Democracy in America addressed, among other things, the existence of interest groups in America. What was Tocqueville's opinion of interest groups?

Robert Dahl's "access points"

Unlike interest groups, political parties

Which of the following is the most influential interest group that lobbies for the needs of the elderly?

Which theory says that public policy is a product of whatever the majority of citizens prefer?

de Tocqueville praised

What was the significance of Ralph Nader's work in the 1960s and 1970s?

James Madison notes in Federalist No. 10 that "the latent causes of faction are thus sown in the nature of man." This means

Robert Dahl describes a number of "access points" for special interest groups to influence policy. Which of the following is NOT one of these access points?

Unlike political parties, interest groups

Public support for interest groups is varied. James Madison, especially in his Federalist No. 10, argued that

Which of the following illegal acts was committed by Jack Abramoff?