Question 1

The sharing of a commonly developed ideology with other group members is an example of __________ benefits.

Accepted Answer

Purposive benefits refer to the satisfaction derived from working towards a common goal or purpose, such as sharing a commonly developed ideology with other group members.

Question 2

Selective benefits that entail such activities as conferences and training programs are known as __________ benefits.

Accepted Answer

Selective benefits are benefits that are only available to members of a group, such as a union or association. Informational benefits include activities like conferences and training programs that provide members with valuable information or knowledge. Solidary benefits refer to the social or emotional satisfaction of being part of a group, material benefits include tangible rewards like discounts or insurance, and purposive benefits involve opportunities to make a difference or contribute to a cause.

Question 3

Today, few federal agencies would implement a new rule without

Accepted Answer

Federal agencies are required to follow a notice-and-comment rulemaking process, which means that they must solicit and consider public comments before implementing a new rule. In order to ensure that the rule is effective and addresses the concerns of affected interest groups, agencies will typically consult with these groups as part of the rulemaking process. Obtaining the direct comment of the president, getting new authorizing legislation from Congress, or obtaining a court order are not typically required steps in the rulemaking process, and would only be necessary in specific circumstances.

Question 4

Someone who sees a possible benefit for cooperation that is currently not being enjoyed and organizes a group to take advantage of it is considered to be a(n)

Accepted Answer

A political entrepreneur is someone who identifies opportunities for political or social change and mobilizes resources to take advantage of those opportunities. In this case, the individual sees a potential benefit from cooperation and organizes a group to achieve it, which fits the definition of a political entrepreneur. Collective actors are groups that act together to achieve a common goal, while political opportunists and economic opportunists focus on personal gain rather than collective benefit.

Question 5

The Christian right is a powerful movement made up of a number of interest groups driven primarily by __________ benefits.

Accepted Answer

The Christian right is primarily driven by purposive benefits, as its members are motivated by a shared commitment to specific goals or purposes, such as promoting Christian values and influencing public policy in accordance with those values.

Question 6

In 1990, Congress encouraged administrative agencies to engage in direct and open discussion with affected stakeholders when developing new regulations through the __________ Act.

Accepted Answer

The best choice is B, Negotiated Rulemaking. The Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1990, also known as the "Reg Neg Act", established a process for agencies to engage in direct and open dialogue with stakeholders when developing new regulations. This process involves bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, including industry representatives, public interest groups, and government officials, to negotiate and develop regulatory solutions. The goal of this process is to increase transparency and public involvement in the regulatory process while also promoting collaboration and consensus-building between stakeholders.

Question 7

Selective benefits of a group's membership that emphasize friendship, networking, and consciousness-raising are best described as

Accepted Answer

Solidary benefits are those that emphasize social aspects such as friendship, networking, and consciousness-raising, distinguishing them from material, informational, or purposive benefits which are more tangible, knowledge-based, or goal-oriented respectively.

Question 8

After the president signs a piece of legislation into law, why do interest groups continue working with the executive branch?

Accepted Answer

Even after legislation is signed into law, interest groups may continue working with the executive branch because faithful implementation of the law is not always guaranteed and may require continued contact to ensure that the law is properly enforced.

Question 9

The federal Administrative Procedure Act (as amended) requires most federal agencies to

Accepted Answer

The federal Administrative Procedure Act (as amended) requires most federal agencies to provide notice and opportunity for comment before implementing new regulations. This means that they must allow for public input and feedback before implementing new rules.

Question 10

Which term describes the strategy of obtaining political influence that involves gaining access to key decision makers and using the courts?

Accepted Answer

The insider strategy involves gaining access to key decision makers, often through lobbying, and using the courts to achieve political influence. This strategy is typically employed by those who have existing relationships with those in power or have the financial resources to hire lobbyists or lawyers to represent their interests.

Question 11

When Representative Claude Pepper saw the benefit he could achieve by bearing the costs of organizing the elderly in the district he represented and decided to incur the costs of helping them organize, he acted as a(n)

Accepted Answer

Representative Claude Pepper acted as a political entrepreneur because he recognized an opportunity to organize the elderly in his district for political benefits and was willing to bear the costs of helping them organize.

Question 12

Special newsletters, periodicals, training programs, and conferences provided to members of interest groups to entice others to join are examples of __________ benefits.

Accepted Answer

The examples given in the question such as special newsletters, periodicals, training programs, and conferences are all related to providing information to members. Therefore, the benefits described are informational benefits.

Question 13

In the quest for political influence, insider strategies include

Accepted Answer

Insider strategies refer to efforts to influence political decisions through direct interaction with policymakers and officials, rather than through public campaigns or media. Meeting with a senator is a direct form of engagement with a policymaker, making it an insider strategy.

Question 14

Special goods, services, or money provided to members of groups to entice others to join are examples of __________ benefits.

Accepted Answer

Material benefits refer to tangible goods, services, or money provided to members to encourage others to join. Solidary benefits refer to social and emotional rewards, informational benefits refer to knowledge or expertise gained, and purposive benefits refer to the sense of contributing to a larger cause or purpose. Out of the options given, only material benefits fit the description provided.

Question 15

The rotation of people between jobs as members and staff in Congress and as lobbyists working with Congress has been labeled

Accepted Answer

The phrase "revolving door politics" refers to the movement of individuals between government positions (such as serving as a member of Congress or working as a staffer) and private sector jobs (such as becoming a lobbyist). This movement can create conflicts of interest and raise concerns about the influence of money and special interests in policymaking.

Question 16

Many women's organizations claim that active participation conveys to each member an enhanced sense of her own value as well as a stronger ability to advance individual and collective civil rights. This type of solidary benefit has come to be called

Accepted Answer

The term "consciousness-raising" refers to the process of increasing awareness and understanding of social, political, and economic issues affecting a particular group, in this case, women. Through participation in women's organizations, women can engage in discussion and education about issues affecting them and gain a deeper understanding of their own value and rights. This is a form of consciousness-raising and can lead to increased solidarity and empowerment. The other options are not commonly used terms to describe this phenomenon.

Question 17

In the quest for political influence, outsider strategies include which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the quest for political influence, outsider...

Question 18

An example of an outsider strategy used by the Sierra Club is

Accepted Answer

The answer of An example of an outsider strategy used...

Question 19

An attempt by a group to influence the policy process through persuasion of government officials is known as

Accepted Answer

Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence decisions made by government officials. This is done through various means such as providing information, making arguments, and offering incentives. The goal of lobbying is to persuade policymakers to support a particular policy or issue. Whipping refers to maintaining party discipline in legislative votes, media management involves controlling the public image of an organization or public figure, and going public refers to using the media to generate public support for an issue or policy.

Question 20

Political entrepreneurs bear the organizational costs of a group because doing so may provide them with certain __________ benefits.

Accepted Answer

Political entrepreneurs invest time, effort, and resources into building and maintaining a group or organization, primarily because it enables them to selectively benefit from membership. This may include accessing valuable networks, gaining insider knowledge, and achieving personal or professional goals, such as acquiring political power or influence. Material, informational, and ideological benefits may also be important to political entrepreneurs, but selective benefits are typically the primary motivation for their organizational efforts.

Quiz 13: Groups and Interests