Question 1

When a grassroots campaign is artificially orchestrated to appear that constituents care about an issue when in reality they do not,it is called:

Accepted Answer

Astroturf lobbying refers to the practice of creating fake grassroots campaigns to give the appearance of widespread public support for an issue or policy, when in fact the campaign has been orchestrated by a particular interest group or corporation. This can be a deceptive tactic to influence public opinion and policymakers.

Question 2

A companion brief to an existing court case is called:

Accepted Answer

A companion brief to an existing court case is called an amicus curiae. This is a document filed by a person or organization who is not a party to the case but has an interest in its outcome and wants to provide the court with additional information or arguments.

Question 3

When the Sierra Club initiated a public media campaign to encourage citizens across the country to support its environmental initiatives,it used the strategy known as:

Accepted Answer

The strategy of going public involves interest groups and organizations using media campaigns to mobilize public support for their cause or issue. The Sierra Club's public media campaign to encourage citizen support for its environmental initiatives fits this strategy. Option B) "new politics" refers to a strategy that emphasizes grassroots mobilization and public participation in the political process, and is not directly related to media campaigns. Option C) "network advocacy" refers to a strategy where interest groups work together in a coalition to achieve their goals, and is not relevant in this scenario. Option D) "direct group representation" refers to a strategy where interest groups work directly with elected officials to represent their interests, and is not relevant in this scenario. Option E) "lobbying" refers to a strategy where interest groups work to influence elected officials or government agencies to make decisions in line with their interests, but does not necessarily involve public media campaigns.

Question 4

Which late nineteenth-century group originally promoted the political tactic known as the initiative?

Accepted Answer

The initiative was originally promoted by the populists, a political party that emerged in the late 19th century advocating for the interests of farmers and rural communities. The initiative allowed voters to propose and pass laws directly, bypassing the state legislature. This was seen as a way to give more power directly to the people and break the hold of political parties and special interests on the legislative process.

Question 5

Interest groups work primarily by trying to get candidates elected.

Accepted Answer

While interest groups may support political candidates who align with their goals and values, their primary function is to influence public policy and advocate for their specific issues, not necessarily just getting candidates elected.

Question 6

A device that allows groups to propose laws that the public will vote on in the next general election ballot,thereby bypassing elected officials,is a(n):

Accepted Answer

An initiative is a device that allows groups to propose laws that the public will vote on in the next general election ballot, thereby bypassing elected officials.

Question 7

Organized protests as a strategy for winning support for a group's policy positions:

Accepted Answer

Organized protests can bring attention to a group's policy positions and create a sense of community amongst the protesters. This can help raise public consciousness about the issue and potentially gain support for the group's agenda. Protests have been successful in many movements throughout history, such as the civil rights movement and anti-war protests. While there are risks associated with protests, such as the potential for violence, they are generally protected as free speech under the First Amendment.

Question 8

A financial services company that supports legislation making it more difficult for investors to sue for fraud hires a Washington-based firm to generate and mail thousands of letters of support to members of Congress.This strategy is also known as which of the following:

Accepted Answer

Astroturf lobbying refers to the practice of creating the illusion of grassroots support for a particular cause or issue, often using paid professionals or automated systems to generate and distribute messages to policymakers. In this scenario, the financial services company is hiring a Washington-based firm to generate and mail letters of support to members of Congress, which is an example of astroturf lobbying. The company is attempting to create the appearance of widespread public support for legislation that would benefit them, rather than relying on genuine grassroots efforts.

Question 9

The Watergate scandal was triggered by the illegal:

Accepted Answer

The Watergate scandal was triggered by the entry of Republican workers into the Democratic National Committee office in the Watergate complex to install wiretapping devices. This illegal activity was authorized by the Committee to Re-elect President Nixon in an attempt to gain an advantage in the 1972 presidential election.

Question 10

An example of a case in which groups (specifically women's groups)seeking support from the courts suffered a major defeat for the women's rights movement was the Supreme Court case:

Accepted Answer

In Webster v. Reproductive Health Services, the Supreme Court upheld a Missouri law that significantly restricted access to abortion services, including state restrictions on the use of public facilities, medical personnel and staff associated with abortion, and the use of state funds to encourage or encourage an abortion. The ruling was seen as a major setback for the women's rights movement and reproductive rights activism.

Question 11

Special congressional appropriations for expenditures on particular projects in specific states or districts that lobbyists seek for their group are called:

Accepted Answer

Earmarks are special appropriations made by Congress for specific projects in particular states or districts. Lobbyists often seek earmarks for their interest groups to secure funding for their pet projects. Set asides are similar to earmarks but are specifically reserved for businesses owned by historically disadvantaged groups. Grants-in-aid, block grants, and revenue streams are other types of funding mechanisms used by the federal government, but they are not specifically earmarked for particular projects or districts.

Question 12

When the Service Employees International Union spent over $30 million in independent campaign activity on behalf of Barack Obama,they exemplified the strategy of:

Accepted Answer

The SEIU's spending of over $30 million in independent campaign activity on behalf of Barack Obama exemplified campaign activism, which involves various activities aimed at supporting or opposing a particular candidate or issue during an election campaign. This strategy includes spending money on advertisements, canvassing, phone banking, voter registration, and other grassroots efforts to mobilize voters and influence the outcome of the election.

Question 13

Which court case laid the legal framework allowing independent expenditures by interest groups?

Accepted Answer

The Buckley v. Valeo Supreme Court case in 1976 established the legal framework allowing independent expenditures by interest groups. The Court ruled that spending limits on independent expenditures were a violation of the First Amendment's free speech protections.

Question 14

An expensive,well-designed ad published in the New York Times that features the successful track record in environmental protection by a major oil company is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The answer of An expensive,well-designed ad published in the New...

Question 15

A strategy that launches a media campaign to build popular support is called:

Accepted Answer

Going public involves launching a media campaign to build popular support for a particular issue or policy. This strategy aims to influence policymakers by creating pressure from the public and generating media coverage. While the other options may involve public engagement, they do not necessarily involve a media campaign or building popular support as the primary tactic.

Question 16

An example of a case in which the NAACP successfully used the courts to make the first declaration that segregation of the schools was unconstitutional was:

Accepted Answer

Brown v. Board of Education was a landmark case in which the NAACP successfully argued that segregation of schools violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The Supreme Court's decision in this case made segregation of schools unconstitutional and paved the way for the Civil Rights Movement.

Question 17

Which of the following indicates an increase in interest group activity?

Accepted Answer

Earmarks refer to specific provisions in legislation that direct funds towards specific projects or organizations. Interest groups often lobby for earmarks that benefit their members or causes. An increase in earmarks therefore indicates an increase in interest-group activity. Set asides and grants-in-aid also involve the allocation of funds, but they are not necessarily linked to interest-group activity. Revenue streams and block grants are broader terms that do not necessarily indicate interest-group activity.

Question 18

Limits on campaign contributions and requirements that each candidate or campaign committee provide the full name and address,occupation,and principal business of each person who contributes more than $100 are features of the:

Accepted Answer

The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, particularly with its amendments in 1974, established limits on campaign contributions and required disclosure of contributors' information for those who contribute more than $100.

Question 19

Most initiatives today are actually sponsored by:

Accepted Answer

Interest groups are organizations that represent a particular cause or interest and actively seek to influence policy decisions through lobbying, campaigning and grassroots mobilization. They often sponsor initiatives as a means of advancing their agenda and promoting their cause. Political parties, individual citizens, state legislative leaders, and members of Congress may also sponsor initiatives, but interest groups tend to have more resources and expertise in organizing and promoting these efforts.

Question 20

Mobilizing ordinary citizens to write to their representatives in support of a group's position is a specific example of a:

Accepted Answer

Mobilizing ordinary citizens to write to their representatives is an example of grassroots lobbying, which involves the use of the general public to influence policymakers. It is a way for interest groups to demonstrate public support for their agenda and apply pressure on policymakers.

Quiz 12: Groups and Interests