Question 1

Write an essay in which you discuss interest group representational, resource, and access inequality.

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Question 2

If there is an upper-class bias in the interest group system, the value of ________ is violated.

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Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of interest groups?
A) Some interest groups are motivated by a desire to advance a general cause by fielding candidates for political office to oppose those running under the two major party labels.
B) It is common for a single corporation to maintain an office in Washington in order to keep an eye on activities that might affect the company.
C) Large-membership organizations with substantial resources can usually gain a hearing in Congress or the executive branch for their views.
D) Most public interest groups are large-scale organizations that depend on donations from their massive list of members to finance the group's activities.
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Interest groups typically do not field candidates for political office; that is more characteristic of political parties. Interest groups focus on influencing policy and legislation rather than directly engaging in electoral politics.

Question 4

Why are there so many interest groups in the United States? When did the rise of interest groups begin? What impacts-good and bad-have interest groups had on American politics? In your opinion, are interests groups , on balance, good or bad for American democracy?

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Question 5

Interest groups are also sometimes called all of the following except
A) lobbies.
B) political parties.
C) pressure groups.
D) factions
E) both B & C

Accepted Answer

Interest groups are not called political parties, though they may support and influence political parties. Choice A, C, and D are all commonly used terms for interest groups. Choice E is incorrect, as "both" implies that two options are being presented, but only two options are not being presented in the question.

Question 6

The authors of your text conclude that "narrow, special, and privileged interests dominate the interest group world and play the biggest role in determining what government does in the United States." Why do they write this? What evidence, if any, can you put forth that might call this conclusion into question?

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Question 7

The factions that James Madison spoke of would now be called
A) Congressional committees.
B) bureaucrats.
C) citizens' forums.
D) interest groups.
E) pluralists.

Accepted Answer

James Madison was referring to groups of people who shared specific interests and beliefs and worked to influence the government. These are commonly known as interest groups.

Question 8

The recent developments concerning Jack Abramoff have contributed to the view that interest groups are bad for democracy. If you could alter the law to ensure that all interest groups play by the rules, how would you do so?

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Question 9

Which Act of Congress banned soft money contributions in federal elections.

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Question 10

How do interest groups lobby the courts?

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Question 11

Why might some interest groups play the inside game more than the outside game? Why might some play the outside game more?

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Question 12

In the context of interest groups, "PAC" is an acronym for ________.

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Question 13

What is disturbance theory? How might it help explain the explosion of interest groups in the 1960s?

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Question 14

Ever since the Framers implied that interest groups are akin to factions and therefore bad for democracy, interest groups have sustained a negative impression in American society. Is this justified? Why or why not?

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Question 15

List and describe three ways that have been used to cure the mischief of factions. Which of these has been the most effective? Is it even possible to curtail the amount of money that permeates the American political system?

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Question 16

Discuss specific strategies that interest groups can use in the "outside game."

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Question 17

Discuss the way that soft money has benefited and hurt political parties and interest groups. Thinking about the role that both parties and interest groups play in American politics, would you rather have parties or interest groups receiving the bulk of control over the distribution of campaign contributions? Why?

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Question 18

What is soft money?

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Question 19

In terms of dollar amount, what type of appropriations bills are most earmarks associated with?
A) Social Security
B) Environment
C) Education
D) Defense
E) Labor

Accepted Answer

Earmarks are most commonly associated with defense appropriations bills. These bills fund various programs and projects within the Department of Defense, including research, development and procurement of weapons systems, and military construction. Earmarks allow individual members of Congress to direct funding to specific projects within their districts or states, often without going through the competitive grant process.

Question 20

How do business corporations have a special place in the American political system that enables them to have greater influence over government decisions?

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Quiz 7: Interest Groups and Business Corporations