Interest GroupsInterest Groups

All of the followingAll of the following explain the proliferation of explain the proliferation of interest groups EXCEPTinterest groups EXCEPT

A. America is diverse, with countless immigrants, races, and religions

B. Because of its federal system, there are multiple points of access to government

C. Political authority is shared by several branches of government, each of which might be targeted by interest groups

D. Interest groups often run candidates for office to give their supporters a voice in government

E. Political parties are relatively weak, which helps explain the strength and number of interest groups

D. Interest groups often run D. Interest groups often run candidates for office to give their candidates for office to give their supporters a voice in governmentsupporters a voice in government

Throughout American history, which of the Throughout American history, which of the following conditions has led to an increase in following conditions has led to an increase in

interest group’s activity?interest group’s activity?

I. A strong economy with low inflationII. The rise of professional societies, such as the

American Medical Association (AMA)III. Government policies that create new groups, such as

veteransIV. Leaders who are willing to make personal sacrifices

A. I and IIB. I, II and IIIC. II, III and IVD. I, II and IVE. III and IV

C. II, III and IVC. II, III and IV

““Free riders” occur when interest groups fight for Free riders” occur when interest groups fight for benefits to the public as a whole, such as benefits to the public as a whole, such as

consumer protection. How can interest groups consumer protection. How can interest groups prevent the free-rider problem?prevent the free-rider problem?

A. By ensuring that the benefits they seek will help only their members

B. By providing people an incentive to join their group, such as a subscription to a magazine

C. By limiting membership to a few carefully screened members

D. By lobbying members of Congress only in the district where the interest groups operate

E. There is no practical way for interest groups to prevent the “free-rider” problem

B. By providing people an incentive B. By providing people an incentive to join their group, such as a to join their group, such as a subscription to a magazinesubscription to a magazine

Environmentalists, women and union members Environmentalists, women and union members have worked over the years to advance their have worked over the years to advance their

interests. What is the best description of these interests. What is the best description of these causes?causes?

A. They are social movements that have spawned several related interest groups

B. They are PACs, which give money to political campaigns

C. They are social movements because all of them have liberal goals

D. They are interest groups because they lobby Congress for favorable legislation

E. They are social movements because they do not take strong positions and tend to support moderate policies

A. They are social movements that A. They are social movements that have spawned several related have spawned several related

interest groupsinterest groups

Why are lobbyists useful to members of Congress Why are lobbyists useful to members of Congress in considering legislation?in considering legislation?

A. Because most lobbyists are lawyers and can draft bills using technical legal language

B. Because lobbyists have bigger research staffs than members of Congress

C. Because lobbyists are policy generalists who have knowledge about a broad range of topics

D. Because members of Congress must listen to lobbyists in order to get electoral support

E. Because members of Congress are policy generalists and lobbyists are policy specialists with expert knowledge in their area

E. Because members of Congress are E. Because members of Congress are policy generalists and lobbyists are policy generalists and lobbyists are

policy specialists with expert policy specialists with expert knowledge in their areaknowledge in their area

An interest group would use grassroots lobbying An interest group would use grassroots lobbying on all of the following issues EXCEPTon all of the following issues EXCEPT

A. Abortion

B. Medicare

C. Social security

D. Complex tax legislation affecting few people

E. Affirmative action

D. Complex tax legislation D. Complex tax legislation affecting few peopleaffecting few people

A groups representing a corporation, labor union, A groups representing a corporation, labor union, or special interest that raises and spends or special interest that raises and spends

campaign contributions on behalf of candidates or campaign contributions on behalf of candidates or causes is acauses is a

A. Special interest group

B. Grassroots lobbying committee

C. Political action committee

D. Social movement

E. Tax-exempt entity

C. Political action committeeC. Political action committee

The table above supports which of the following The table above supports which of the following conclusions?conclusions?

A. Most PAC money goes to open seats

B. More PAC money is spent on Senate races than on races on the House of Representatives

C. Corporate PACs give twice as much money to Republicans in the House than to Democrats

D. Labor PACs spend more money on challengers than on incumbents in the Senate

E. Independent candidates rarely receive PAC money

D. Labor PACs spend more money D. Labor PACs spend more money on challengers than on on challengers than on

incumbents in the Senateincumbents in the Senate

Which of the following are sources of funding for Which of the following are sources of funding for interest groups?interest groups?

I. Foundation grants

II. Federal grants

III. Federal contracts

IV. Direct-mail solicitations

A. I, II and III

B. I and II

C. II, III and IV

D. I and III

E. I, II, III and IV

E. I, II, III and IVE. I, II, III and IV

Which of the following is a concern about the Which of the following is a concern about the influence of lobbyists on government?influence of lobbyists on government?

A. Many lobbyists are former federal officials who gave up their positions in government to work for interest groups

B. Many lobbyists are attorneys who have undue influence because of their legal expertise

C. Many lobbyists also work as congressional staff members

D. Many members of Congress are former lobbyists who still have strong connections with interest groups

E. Because lobbyists do not have to register with the government, it is difficult to control their activities

A. Many lobbyists are former A. Many lobbyists are former federal officials who gave up federal officials who gave up

their positions in government to their positions in government to work for interest groupswork for interest groups