14: Interest Groups

Which best describes interest groups in the early to mid-1800s? Most interest groups were based around civil rights of women and often took on unconventional forms of protest. They were mostly single-issue groups, seated in Christian revivalism, or focused on business interests. They focused largely on transportation issues, especially the creation of a system of national highways and interstates. They were largely anti-religion and focused efforts on the rights of industrial laborers.

How did James Madison propose to overcome the problem of factions? By banning the formation of interest groups By adopting a system of direct democracy By discouraging citizens from expressing their political views in public By allowing groups to participate in the political process

Which of the following groups lobbies on behalf of business interests? The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) The Chamber of Commerce The National Rifle Association The National Education Association

An appeal to membership in an interest group based on passion or purpose would be most appropriate for a(n) ______ interest group or organization. religious or ideological trade business professional

A leader of the National Rifle Association (NRA) would be very unlikely to propose a policy position of highly restricted gun control because _______. the strength of single-issue groups is the intensity of members’ beliefs, which are shared by their leaders very few interest groups are governed democratically, but the NRA is and such a proposal would never pass members may drop out if they disagree with leadership or do not like the direction the organization is taking NRA members enjoy an unusual amount of influence on the organization’s leadership and policy decisions

One reason for the rise of public interest groups in the 1960s and 1970s was __________. Americans’ growing cynicism about government during the Vietnam War the decline in political parties technological developments that made interest group activities easier the lifting of legal restrictions on lobbying activities

The __________ problem occurs when people fail to join a group because they can get the benefits the group offers without contributing to the group’s efforts. hyperpluralist free rider pluralist collective good

Which Constitutional provision guarantees the right of interest groups to organize? Second Amendment The majority faction clause First Amendment Preamble

The Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC created the possibility for unlimited spending in elections by __________. individual donors corporations political parties foreign contributors

How are interest groups most likely to attempt to influence court decisions? Using money from political action committees to try to shape public opinion on the issue Lavishing expensive gifts on judges Urging Congress to change court jurisdictions Filing amicus curiae briefs arguing in favor of a particular outcome

Which is an interest group least likely to do? Influence how policies are implemented Support candidates running for elections Influence the legislative process Run candidates in elections

The __________ effort occurs at the end of the campaign and is an attempt to get the candidate’s supporters to the polls on Election Day. direct mail inoculation advertising wooing the undecided get-out-the-vote

Which is the most telling indicator of whether or not an individual is likely to join and participate in an interest group? Religious affiliation Party affiliation Level of wealth Geographic location

Which interest group is a good example of the modern trend of fewer members physically attending events, but thousands or tens of thousands participating in social media such as Twitter or Facebook? Occupy Wall Street Children’s Defense Fund Liberty University Coalition EMILY’s List

Why has the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) been so successful at attracting large numbers of Americans to join? Some states require all people older than the age of 65 to have a valid AARP membership. AARP offers its members popular benefits such as consumer discounts and other services. AARP’s political action committee is one of the wealthiest in the United States. AARP has the support of wealthy benefactors who help fund their organization.

Which best describes the ability of watchdog groups to monitor lobbying activities? Due to a 1995 lobbying disclosure law, it is now easier to monitor lobbying activities. A 2007 law reduced disclosure requirements, making it more difficult to monitor lobbying activities. It is difficult to monitor congressional lobbying, which has no disclosure requirements. It is difficult to monitor executive branch lobbying, which has no disclosure requirements.

Which of the following is an example of lobbying? Fundraising for a cause by selling small goods or services Trying to influence government officials to support a particular policy decision Protesting government policy decisions by having a sit-in at a college Expressing indignation at changes in policy by blogging about the issue

How did the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 affect lobbyists? It limited the number of hours each lobbyist could work during a single session of Congress. It required all organizations and firms to register their employees as lobbyists if they worked with government contracts. It set limits on how many lobbyists could be employed by a political action committee (PAC). It required lobbyists to file a report regarding each of their clients, including how much money they were paid by them for lobbying services.

Something of value that cannot be withheld from a nonmember of a group, for example, a tax write-off or a better environment.

Founded in 1867 as an educational organization for farmers, The Grange evolved into the first truly national interest group by working to protect the political and economic concerns of farming communities and rural areas.

A conservative religious interest group credited with helping to mobilize conservative Evangelical Christian voters from its founding in 1978 through the presidency of Ronald Reagan (1981-1989).

The theory that interest groups form as a result of changes in the political system.

Founded in 1886, the AFL brought skilled workers from several trades together into one stronger national organization for the first time. It merged in 1955 with the Congress of Industrial Organizations to form the AFL-CIO.

A major interest group, founded in 1835, to advocate for the abolition of the institution of slavery throughout the United States.