political science ch 8

what distinguishes lobbying from other strategies of influence? a. Lobbying involves advertising in order to create a positive image of an organization. b.Lobbying is the only form of influence that has explicit First Amendment protection from regulation. c. Lobbyists attempt to influence government directly by running for elected office. d. Lobbying is the least expensive and most democratic strategy of influencing government. e. Lobbyists try to exert pressure directly on government officials themselves.

The solidary benefits of interest groups include ________. a. information and money b. identification with the purpose or ideology of the group c. special services and goods d. representation before government e. friendship and consciousness-raising

A ________ exists when paid staff conduct most of the daily business of a group. a. lobbyist firm b. free-rider group c. 527 committee d. staff organization e. political action committee

The free-rider problem occurs because a.members of Congress listen only to organized interest groups and not to public-opinion polls. b. the government subsidizes most forms of transportation in the United States. c. the benefits of a group's actions are available only to a specific segment of society. d.members of Congress are presented with many opportunities to amend a piece of legislation. e.the benefits of a group's actions are broadly available and cannot be denied to nonmembers.

Which of the following issues is NOT part of the agenda of the New Politics movement? a. women's rights b. environmental protection c. occupational health and safety legislation d. nuclear disarmament e. industrial deregulation

A full-page, fully paid spread in the New York Times publicizing a major oil company is best described as ________. a. an issue network b. going public c. lobbying d. institutional advertising e. an iron triangle

A ________ is the best example of an informational benefit provided by many interest groups. a. free T-shirt b. newsletter c. consciousness-raising workshop d. travel discount e. health insurance program

A grassroots lobbying campaign occurs a.when an interest group mobilizes its members and their families throughout the country to write their representatives in support of the group's position. b. before a session of Congress formally begins. c.when an interest group buys advertisements in newspapers around the country in order to publicize an issue. d. when a spontaneous show of political support for a particular position manifests itself. e. when interest groups organize to support a dark-horse presidential candidate.

In recent years, the religious right has had a great effect on American politics through ________. a. litigation b. iron triangles c. gaining access d. campaign financing e. grassroots mobilization

When a group is called a membership association, it means that a. every decision the group makes must be voted on and approved by every member. b. the group accepts anyone as a member. c. membership is a mandatory requirement for receiving any of the group's benefits. d. members play an important role in the daily activities of the group. e. members vote directly for the leaders.

Many interest groups are initially organized because a.activists realize that it is easier to form an interest group than it is to engage in other forms of political participation. b.most state-level government agencies will only negotiate policy implementation with organized groups. c. a politician has lost an election and wants to challenge the results. d.a political entrepreneur with a strong commitment to a particular set of goals believes a group will promote his or her goals and enhance his or her political influence. e. funding opportunities provided by the federal bureaucracy encourage collective action.

What is the primary function of a political action committee (PAC)? a. to produce and carry out an institutional advertising campaign b. to build better networks between interest groups and political parties c. to raise grassroots support for a particular interest d. to raise and distribute money to election campaigns e. to organize and coordinate a strategy of litigation

Why is it important for interest groups to offer selective benefits? a. It is necessary to limit the extent of the free-rider problem. b.Selective benefits allow interest groups to make the profits they need to continue operating. c. If they do not, people will accuse the groups of being antidemocratic. d. Selective benefits are the only way to measure the success of an interest group. e. If they do not, people will join political parties instead.

________ is a strategy that attempts to mobilize the widest and most favorable climate of opinion. a. Creating a "war room" b. Creating an issue network c. Litigation d. Creating an iron triangle e. Going public

Lobbying is a.an attempt by an individual or group to influence the passage of legislation by exerting indirect pressure, through advertisements and media coverage, on members of Congress or a state legislature. b. making illegal campaign contributions to government officials. c.an attempt by an individual or group to influence the passage of legislation by exerting indirect pressure, through phone calls or e-mails, on members of Congress or a state legislature. d. the act of working on a re-election campaign. e.an attempt by an individual or group to influence the passage of legislation by exerting direct pressure on members of Congress or a state legislature.

Interest groups are permitted to spend as much money as they want on issue advocacy during a campaign season as long as they a. present both sides of the issue in their issue advocacy ads. b. are willing to publicize their membership lists. c. do not employ any person who has formerly worked on a political campaign. d. do not coordinate their efforts with a candidate's own campaign organization. e.are not also actively lobbying the federal government on behalf of the position taken in the issue ad.

AARP has approximately ________ members today. a. 3,800,000 b. 3,800 c. 338,000 d. 38,000 e. 38,000,000

A PAC can contribute ________ to any candidate for federal office, provided it contributes to at least five different federal candidates each year. a. $5,000 b. $5,000,000 c. $50,000 d. $500 e. $500,000

Which of the following is NOT an economic group? a. Microsoft b. Apple c. Dow Chemical d. National Right to Life e. Exxon

Which of the following is NOT a function of interest groups? a. to educate their members and the public about the issues that affect them b. to lobby government officials c.to monitor government programs to make sure their members are not adversely affected d. to get their members elected to political office e. to influence governmental decisions

When a coalition of credit card companies form an interest group called the Partnership to Protect Consumer Credit, this indicates that a. the credit card companies lack solidary benefits to offer their customers. b. credit card companies are interested in the public good. c. private interests are hiding behind the ideals of public interests. d. public interest groups are now actively involving private corporations. e. the free-rider problem does not apply to private corporations.

Individuals and organizations can give an unlimited amount to ________. a. U.S. Senate candidates b. U.S. House candidates c. political parties d. U.S. presidential candidates e. Super PACs

________ occurs when interest groups take out advertisements and hold marches. a. Litigating b. Issue networking c. Mobilizing public opinion d. Lobbying e. Partisan politics

It is difficult for political scientists to categorize unrepresented interests because a. there are no organizations that can present their identities and demands. b. there are no measurements of interests and needs outside of representation. c. these interests often want to stay hidden from public view. d. there are no legitimate interests that do not already have representation. e. there are no constitutional means for unorganized interests to compete for attention.

The Christian Coalition is a(n) ________ group. a. labor b. professional c. ideological d. business e. public interest

The fact that interest groups favor the wealthy and well educated can be understood as a reflection of what eternal dilemma in American politics? a. Democracy has not been helpful in reducing the number of factions. b. It is difficult to have majority rule and also protect minority rights. c. Organized associations and groups inhibit freedom. d. There are no efficient means of organizing the working class in the United States. e. Liberty is often inconsistent with equality.

The National Governor's Association is a good example of a ________. a. professional association b. public-sector interest group c. political action committee d. public interest group e. political party

Most initiative campaigns today are sponsored by a.issue networks that want to change government policies without attracting attention from the public. b. candidates for political office who see it as a way to engage in money swapping. c. interest groups seeking to circumvent legislative opposition to their goals. d. citizens who care deeply about a given issue. e. political parties seeking to raise public awareness about a particular issue.

Many interest groups are initially organized because a.most state-level government agencies will only negotiate policy implementation with organized groups. b.activists realize that it is easier to form an interest group than it is to engage in other forms of political participation. c. a politician has lost an election and wants to challenge the results. d. funding opportunities provided by the federal bureaucracy encourage collective action. e.a political entrepreneur with a strong commitment to a particular set of goals believes a group will promote his or her goals and enhance his or her political influence.

The increased number and importance of interest groups a. causes a subsequent expansion in government. b. is due to the decline in the United States' multiparty system. c. is a direct result of a more broadly defined First Amendment freedom of association. d. is a response to a decrease in the size and activity of government. e. is a response to an increase in the size and activity of government.

What is the primary variable for predicting the likelihood of joining an interest group? a. already being a member of a political party b. having a higher income and education c. having connections with government officials d. having an interest shared by others e. the region of the country in which an individual lives