Question 1

The most numerous types of interest groups in the United States are
A) economic interest groups.
B) social interest groups.
C) liberal interest groups.
D) environmental interest groups.
E) public-interest interest groups.

Accepted Answer

Economic interest groups, such as those representing businesses, trade associations, and labor unions, are the most numerous types of interest groups in the United States. They have significant resources and influence in shaping public policy.

Question 2

Which of the following groups are economic interest groups?
A) The U.S. Chamber of Commerce
B) The American Dairy Association
C) The AFL-CIO
D) The American Federation of Teachers
E) All of the above are true.

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Dairy Association, the AFL-CIO, and the American Federation of Teachers are all economic interest groups because they represent the economic interests of their members.

Question 3

People who become members of interest groups for material incentives are joining
A) for a sense of belonging to the group.
B) to improve their economic opportunities or gain economic benefits.
C) for ethical beliefs or ideological reasons.
D) to institute change for political, economic, or social impact on the whole society.
E) because they have been pressured to do so.

Accepted Answer

Material incentives refer to tangible benefits such as economic opportunities or financial gains. Therefore, people who join interest groups for material incentives are seeking economic benefits.

Question 4

American farmers and their workers represent less than one percent of the U.S. population. This fact supports the proposition that
A) because of their size, farmers have been unsuccessful as interest groups.
B) there are more farmers today than there were forty years ago.
C) most farmers are too busy to be politically active.
D) even a small percentage of the populace can be effective if they organize.
E) geographical dispersion works against the formation of effective interest groups.

Accepted Answer

The fact that American farmers and their workers represent less than one percent of the U.S. population supports the idea that even a small percentage of the populace can be effective if they organize. This is because interest groups become effective not just through sheer numbers, but also through their ability to organize and mobilize their members towards a common goal.

Question 5

People who become members of interest groups for purposive incentives are joining
A) for a sense of belonging to the group.
B) as free riders.
C) for ethical beliefs or ideological reasons.
D) to improve their economic opportunities.
E) because they have been pressured to do so.

Accepted Answer

The answer of People who become members of interest groups...

Question 6

A free rider is
A) an interest group member.
B) a participant in a social movement.
C) someone granted free passage to Washington to lobby or demonstrate.
D) someone who benefits from the actions of a group without joining it.
E) a civil rights activist.

Accepted Answer

A free rider is someone who benefits from the actions of a group without joining it. They enjoy the collective goods or services provided by the group without contributing to their production. An interest group member (A) participates actively in a group, while a participant in a social movement (B) takes part in unorganized efforts to promote social or political change. Someone granted free passage to Washington (C) is not a commonly used term in political science, and civil rights activists (E) are a specific type of social movement participant.

Question 7

All of the following are true of the AARP  $\bold{except}$
A) most people who join AARP are doing so based on material incentives.
B) the AARP is the largest interest group in the United States.
C) the AARP provides discounts and insurance plans for members.
D) the AARP can claim it represents millions of senior citizens.
E) most people join the AARP because of its free rider policy.

Accepted Answer

Most people join AARP for the benefits and discounts it offers, not because of a free rider policy.

Question 8

A lobbyist is
A) any association of individuals.
B) inevitably affiliated with one of the two major political parties.
C) an individual or organization who attempts to influence legislation and the administrative decisions of government.
D) a member of Congress who challenges the majority position.
E) a member of the congressional leadership who is in a position to shape the legislative agenda in a way that benefits powerful interest groups.

Accepted Answer

A lobbyist is an individual or organization who attempts to influence legislation and administrative decisions of the government. They may represent a wide range of interests, including businesses, non-profit organizations, and advocacy groups. Lobbyists may work for their clients by providing information, research, and drafting legislation or by making direct appeals to decision-makers in government.

Question 9

Social movements,
A) are spawned most often by political parties or those in society with formal representation.
B) may be the authentic voice of the weak or oppressed in society.
C) are generally organized by a single powerful interest group.
D) generally last for five to ten years.
E) All of the above are true.

Accepted Answer

Social movements are often born out of the frustrations and grievances of marginalized and oppressed groups who feel that their needs and interests are not adequately represented by formal political structures. These movements are not usually organized by a single interest group, and they can last for varying lengths of time depending on the success of their demands and the resilience of their supporters.

Question 10

Which of the following statements is $\bold{incorrect}$?
A) The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers are known as "umbrella groups."
B) The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers combine with other types of interest groups, such as public interest groups and professional organizations, in order to achieve their objectives.
C) The U.S. Chamber of Commerce represents more than three million businesses.
D) The National Association of Manufacturers can mobilize articulate lobbyists to promote the concerns of members.
E) The AARP promotes the interests of American agricultural rural producers.

Accepted Answer

The statement that the AARP promotes the interests of American agricultural rural producers is incorrect. The AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) is a nonprofit advocacy organization that focuses on issues affecting older Americans. It does not have a connection to agriculture or rural producers.

Question 11

The Constitution protects interest groups
A) through the First Amendment's right to "petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
B) through the First Amendment's right to "peaceably assemble."
C) through the Fourth Amendment's protection against illegal search and seizure.
D) through the Fifth Amendment's right against self-incrimination.
E) Options A and B are true.

Accepted Answer

Both options A and B in the answer choices are true statements. The First Amendment of the Constitution protects the right of interest groups to petition the government for a redress of grievances and to peaceably assemble. These protections ensure that interest groups have the ability to voice their concerns and advocate for their causes without fear of retribution from the government. While options C and D may be important protections for individuals, they do not directly pertain to the rights of interest groups.

Question 12

All of the following are true of interest groups  $\bold{except}$
A) the structure of American government gives interest groups a number of areas in which to attempt to influence government policies.
B) interest groups attempt to influence government at all levels-local, state, and national.
C) interest groups only seek to influence government through campaign contributions.
D) the First Amendment encourages Americans to form and participate in interest groups.
E) membership in an interest group makes individual opinion appear more powerful.

Accepted Answer

Interest groups use various tactics to influence government policies, including lobbying, media campaigns, grassroots organizing, and lawsuits. While campaign contributions are one possible tool, they are not the only way that interest groups seek to influence lawmakers.

Question 13

Lobbyists
A) are persons hired to attempt to influence members of Congress.
B) date back to colonial times.
C) are deeply unpopular with the general public.
D) represent special interests.
E) All of the above are true.

Accepted Answer

All of the options listed are true. Lobbyists are individuals or groups hired to influence members of Congress on behalf of special interests. This practice dates back to colonial times and remains controversial among the general public.

Question 14

People who become members of interest groups for solidary incentives are joining
A) for a sense of belonging to the group.
B) to improve their economic opportunities.
C) for ethical beliefs or ideological reasons.
D) to obtain political, economic, or social change.
E) as free riders.

Accepted Answer

Solidary incentives are incentives for joining interest groups that provide a sense of belonging and social interaction with like-minded individuals. Members join for the social benefits, such as meeting new people, making friends, and feeling part of a community. Therefore, the best choice is A - for a sense of belonging to the group.

Question 15

An interest group is
A) any association of individuals.
B) a group of people who want to gain control of the government.
C) an organization that actively attempts to influence government policy.
D) any organization that requires members to pay dues.
E) an organization set up to support a specific candidate for public office.

Accepted Answer

An interest group is an organization that actively attempts to influence government policy. While choice A and D are somewhat accurate, they are too broad to fully encompass the concept of an interest group. Choice B is incorrect as interest groups seek to influence policy rather than gain control of the government. Choice E is incorrect as it refers to a political action committee (PAC) rather than an interest group.

Question 16

Interest groups are
A) an organized group of individuals who actively attempt to influence policymakers.
B) an organized group of individuals sharing common objectives.
C) a branch of a political party.
D) an organized group of individuals who attempt to win seats in government to influence policy from within for their members.
E) Options A and B are true.

Accepted Answer

Both options A and B are accurate definitions of interest groups. Interest groups are organized groups of individuals who share common objectives and actively attempt to influence policymakers.

Question 17

Which of the following would not properly be called an interest group?
A) American Association of Retired Persons
B) National Farm Bureau
C) Sierra Club
D) American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)
E) Unorganized poor

Accepted Answer

The unorganized poor do not constitute an organized group with specific goals and methods of influencing government policy. They may be a potential constituency for interest groups, but they are not an interest group themselves.

Question 18

Which is true?
A) A lobbyist is hired to influence political officeholders.
B) A lobbyist improves the debate by providing expert information on important issues.
C) Lobbying is a recent phenomenon.
D) A lobbyist actively and effectively represents the poor and the young.
E) Options A and B are true

Accepted Answer

Lobbyists are hired to influence political officeholders and can improve debates by providing expert information on important issues.

Question 19

A public-policy interest that is not recognized or represented by a group is a
A) free rider.
B) common interest.
C) public benefit.
D) rational incentive.
E) latent interest.

Accepted Answer

A public-policy interest that is not recognized or represented by a group is known as a latent interest. A latent interest is an emerging issue that does not have an organized group to represent it. It might be something that is new or not yet fully understood, and therefore lacks a clear group of people with shared interests and collective action capacity. This is different from a common interest, which refers to issues and goals that are shared by a group with a clear identity and mobilizing capacity.

Question 20

Which types of interest groups are defined as economic interest groups?
A) Business, labor, and public interest groups
B) Labor, agriculture, and environmental groups
C) Business, labor, and foreign governments
D) Business, labor, and professionals
E) Professionals, agriculture, and foreign governments

Accepted Answer

Economic interest groups typically include business, labor, and professional groups as they focus on economic benefits for their members.

Quiz 7: Interest Groups

The most numerous types of interest groups in the United States are

Which of the following groups are economic interest groups?

People who become members of interest groups for material incentives are joining

American farmers and their workers represent less than one percent of the U.S. population. This fact supports the proposition that

People who become members of interest groups for purposive incentives are joining

A free rider is

All of the following are true of the AARP $\bold{except}$

A lobbyist is

Social movements,

Which of the following statements is $\bold{incorrect}$ ?

The Constitution protects interest groups

All of the following are true of interest groups $\bold{except}$

Lobbyists

People who become members of interest groups for solidary incentives are joining

An interest group is

Interest groups are

Which of the following would not properly be called an interest group?

Which is true?

A public-policy interest that is not recognized or represented by a group is a

Which types of interest groups are defined as economic interest groups?