Exam 8: Interest Groups in America

A) $2,000
B) $5,000
C) $32,400
D) $100,000
E) unlimited

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A) monetary incentives.
B) social incentives.
C) relegated incentives.
D) fixed incentives.
E) idealist incentives.

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A) National Rifle Association
B) American Medical Association
C) John Birch Society
D) National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
E) Americans for Democratic Action

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A) Although it is protected by the First Amendment, many Americans view protests as outside the political mainstream.
B) Political protests are generally used by groups who are largely shut out of the main centers of powers.
C) Protests sometimes entail risks such as injury, loss of freedom, and potentially even loss of life.
D) Since the wealthy and well-educated have other avenues of political participation, involvement in political protests consists disproportionately of poor citizens with few other options.
E) Protests usually arise in response to issues that arouse a great deal of emotion.

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Voluntary associations, also known as in...

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A) gave the proposals strong support.
B) gave the proposals lukewarm support.
C) took no position on the proposals.
D) expressed mild opposition to the proposals.
E) fought vehemently against the proposals.

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A) an interest group concerns itself with only a small segment of society, while a political movement looks to improve everyone's condition.
B) interest groups are more focused on specific policy goals than political movements are.
C) interest groups have broader and more numerous support than political movements.
D) interest groups consist of formal organizations, whereas political movements consist solely of spontaneous gatherings.
E) interest groups focus solely on influencing politicians, whereas political movements focus solely on changing social norms.

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A) Increasingly, lobbyists are paid professionals who hire out their services.
B) For lobbyists, personal connections are extremely valuable.
C) Many congressional staffers leave their positions to become lobbyists.
D) There are no rules limiting former Congress-members' ability to lobby, as long as the members have formally resigned their posts.
E) The relationship between the government and lobbying interest groups has been described as a revolving door because of the interdependence that has developed between them.

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The Citizens United and Speechnow.org de...

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A) business groups
B) trade associations
C) unions
D) citizens groups
E) professional associations

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A) About half of those that contacted lawmakers had been prompted to do so by a third party.
B) The vast majority of those that contacted lawmakers had been prompted to do so by a third party, mostly PACs, and through direct contact from major parties.
C) Only about a quarter of Americans had been in contact with their House members or senators.
D) About half of those that contacted lawmakers did so through personal choice, without any prompting.
E) The vast majority of those that contacted lawmakers had been prompted to do so by a third party, mostly lobbying and advocacy groups.

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E

A) 1998
B) 2002
C) 2007
D) 2011
E) 2013

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A) corporations.
B) labor unions.
C) civil rights groups.
D) professional and trade associations.
E) All of these answers are correct.

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A) the power of interest groups should be diluted by submerging their interests in a sea of competing interests.
B) a system of government must encourage the participation of interest groups in order to give each segment of society an equal voice.
C) interest groups were valuable as long as they were few and powerful.
D) interest groups threatened a free society and so should be made illegal to prevent them from forming.
E) interest groups were a threat to democracy because the majority should rule in all matters.

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A) were a protected form of free speech.
B) needed to be regulated to ensure a more level playing field.
C) would be more safely guaranteed if campaigns were funded through public monies.
D) posed a threat to the sanctity of a democracy if taken to excess.
E) were sanctioned by long political custom, even if they were not protected by the Constitution.

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A) must be treated the exact same as traditional PACs.
B) are constitutional, but 527s are not.
C) can accept unlimited contributions and make unlimited expenditures in federal elections.
D) can accept unlimited contributions but can make only limited expenditures in federal elections.
E) can accept contributions no higher than $2000 per candidate per election, but can spend as much as they want on any federal race.

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Interest groups play a significant role in American politics by representing the interests of specific groups of people or organizations and advocating for policies that align with their goals. Their defining characteristics include their ability to organize and mobilize members, their focus on specific policy issues, and their influence on the political process through lobbying, campaign contributions, and grassroots activism. There are several major types of interest groups, including business and trade associations, labor unions, professional associations, environmental groups, and issue-based advocacy organizations. These groups serve various purposes, such as promoting economic interests, advancing social and environmental causes, and representing the concerns of specific professions or industries. Interest groups typically best represent the interests of their members or constituents, whether they are businesses, workers, professionals, or individuals with shared beliefs or concerns. However, there is also the potential for some interest groups to disproportionately represent the interests of wealthy or powerful entities, leading to concerns about inequality and the influence of money in politics. While interest groups can be beneficial to American society by giving voice to diverse perspectives and promoting civic engagement, they also raise questions about whether they allow factions to pursue their own interests at the expense of the common good. Critics argue that powerful interest groups can distort the democratic process, leading to policies that primarily benefit a narrow segment of society rather than the broader public interest. In conclusion, interest groups play a complex and influential role in American politics, representing a wide range of interests and advocating for policies that align with their goals. While they serve important functions in the political process, there are ongoing debates about their impact on democracy and the common good. It is essential for policymakers and citizens to critically evaluate the role of interest groups and strive for a balance between representing diverse interests and promoting the broader public good.

A) monetary incentives.
B) social incentives.
C) relegated incentives.
D) fixed incentives.
E) idealist incentives.

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