Exam 7: Interest Groups and Business Corporations

A) collects money and makes contributions to candidates in federal elections.
B) tries to gain advantages or protections for its own members, predominantly economic groups.
C) is another broad and generic name for an interest group.
D) is a type of group that might be involved in public interest activities.
E) tries to get government to act in ways that will serve interests that are broader and more encompassing than the direct economic or occupational interests of their own members.

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The negative impression of interest grou...

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A) It banned soft money contributions to political parties.
B) It explicitly created 527's.
C) It lowered hard money contributions by PACs.
D) It lowered hard money contributions by individuals.
E) C & D

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A) contact officials personally.
B) attract new members.
C) identify and mobilize support among a wider public.
D) bribe public officials directly.
E) lobby members of Congress.

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A) Congressional committees.
B) bureaucrats.
C) citizens' forums.
D) interest groups.
E) pluralists.

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A) educating the public on issues that are important to an interest group
B) sponsoring or directly publishing research results about an issue important to an interest group
C) mobilizing the membership of an interest group
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

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A) Organizations with large memberships, especially, are usually able to gain access to the executive branch to express their views.
B) It is common for a single corporation to maintain an office in Washington, DC to keep watch over activities that might affect the company.
C) Large-membership organizations with substantial resources can usually gain access to congressional hearings.
D) Most public interest groups are large-scale organizations that depend on donations from members to fund the group's activities.
E) all of the above

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A) groups offer members selective incentives.
B) issues are salient to the general public.
C) issues are narrow and technical.
D) groups try to change policy on a symbolic issue.
E) groups can mobilize voters.

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A) Hard money
B) Soft money
C) Campaign finance reform
D) An independent expenditure
E) An illicit contribution

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A) contributing to the election campaigns of judges
B) filing an amicus curiae brief
C) attempting to influence the federal judiciary appointments
D) having an organization that is not a party in a suit file an argument in support of one side or another
E) bringing a test case to the courts

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A) an elitist view of American democracy.
B) a pluralist view of American democracy.
C) a capitalistic view of American democracy.
D) a socialistic view of American democracy.
E) an irrational view of American democracy.

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A) the American Red Cross
B) the Trial Lawyers Association
C) the National Federation of Independent Business
D) the American Farm Bureau Federation
E) the Service Employees International Union

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A) social movements.
B) the public interest.
C) citizen groups.
D) environmental interests.
E) economic interests

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There are many interest groups in the United States because of the country's democratic system, which allows for freedom of association and the right to petition the government. This has led to the proliferation of interest groups representing a wide range of issues and causes, from environmental protection to business interests to civil rights. The rise of interest groups in the United States can be traced back to the early 20th century, with the formation of groups such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the American Federation of Labor (AFL). However, interest groups really began to gain prominence in the 1960s and 1970s, with the expansion of the federal government and the passage of major legislation such as the Civil Rights Act and the Clean Air Act. Interest groups have had both positive and negative impacts on American politics. On the positive side, interest groups provide a voice for marginalized or underrepresented groups, and they can help to educate the public and policymakers about important issues. They also play a crucial role in shaping public policy and holding elected officials accountable. However, interest groups can also have negative impacts on American politics. They can sometimes exert undue influence on policymakers through lobbying and campaign contributions, leading to policies that benefit the few at the expense of the many. Additionally, interest groups can contribute to political polarization and gridlock by promoting narrow, partisan agendas. In my opinion, interest groups are, on balance, good for American democracy. While they certainly have their drawbacks, interest groups are an essential part of the democratic process, providing a means for citizens to participate in politics and advocate for their interests. The key is to ensure that interest groups operate transparently and ethically, and that policymakers remain accountable to the broader public interest. With proper regulation and oversight, interest groups can continue to play a valuable role in American democracy.