Test Bank5Interest Groups

CHAPTER 9

Interest Groups

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONSType: FactualAns: EPage: 224

1. James Madison believed that the latent causes of faction were rooted in

a. the two-party system.b. capitalist society.c. religious conflict.d. an improperly designed constitution.e. the nature of man.

Type: ConceptualAns: CPage: 224

2. Which of the following is not a reason for the proliferation of interest groups in this country?

a. social diversityb. governmental fragmentationc. limited governmentd. the weakness of political partiese. federalism

Type: ConceptualAns: APage: 224

3. One reason interest groups are so common in the United States is that

a. political parties are relatively weak.b. society is relatively homogeneous.c. important decisions are made in only a few places.d. political authority resides in a handful of officials.e. B and D.



a. political parties are relatively strong.b. important decisions are made in only a few places.c. the country has a great many divergent interests.d. political authority resides in a handful of officials.e. A and D.

Type: ConceptualAns: DPage: 224


a. society is relatively homogeneous.b. political parties are relatively strong.c. political authority resides in a handful of officials.d. interest groups can easily gain access to government.e. A and C.

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

272 Chapter 9: Interest Groups

Type: ConceptualAns: EPage: 224

6. In the United States, unlike Great Britain, interest groups can easily gain access to government because

a. political parties are relatively powerful.b. power is centralized in the legislative branch.c. important decisions are made in only a few places.d. our constitutional system is so limited.e. political authority is widely dispersed.


7. In many European countries, including Austria, France, and Italy, interest groups are less common than in the United States because

a. political authority is widely dispersed.b. the relationship between party and interest group is not as

close.c. political decision making is lodged in many officials.d. political parties wield greater power.e. the media enjoy more freedom.

Type: FactualAns: CPage: 225

8. The two periods in U.S. history in which the number of interest groups expanded most rapidly were

a. 1790 to 1810 and 1970 to 1990.b. 1860 to 1880 and 1950 to 1970.c. 1900 to 1920 and 1960 to 1980.d. 1920 to 1940 and 1950 to 1970.e. 1800 to 1820 and 1940 to 1960.


9. It has been observed that interest groups are created more rapidly in some periods than in others. This suggests that these groups

a. are the result of the diversity of U.S. society.b. arise when labor is strong.c. arise when labor is weak.d. arise when social conditions demand action.e. do not arise inevitably out of natural social processes.


10. The emergence of large, mass-membership unions was an example of interest groups forming as a result of

a. government policy.b. the evolution of talented leadership.c. the enlargement of governmental responsibilities.d. broad economic developments.e. legislative capitulation.


11. The launching of the Chamber of Commerce was an example of interest groups forming as a result of

a. government policy.b. the emergence of talented leadership.c. the enlargement of governmental responsibilities.d. broad economic developments.


Chapter 9: Interest Groups 273

e. legislative capitulation.

Type: ConceptualAns: BPage: 226

12. The formation of antislavery organizations in the 1830s and 1840s was an example of interest groups forming as a result of

a. government policy.b. the emergence of talented leadership.c. the enlargement of governmental responsibilities.d. broad economic developments.e. legislative capitulation.


13. The growth of numerous public-interest lobbies in the 1960s was an example of interest groups forming as a result of

a. government policy.b. the emergence of talented leadership.c. the enlargement of governmental responsibilities.d. broad economic developments.e. legislative capitulation.


14. An example of an interest group formed as a result of broadly felt economic phenomena is that of

a. labor unions.b. the Chamber of Commerce.c. antislavery organizations.d. public-interest lobbies.e. All of these.


15. An example of an interest group formed as a result of government policy itself is that of

a. labor unions.b. the Chamber of Commerce.c. antislavery organizations.d. public-interest lobbies.e. None of these.


16. An example of an interest group formed as a result of the emergence of talented leadership is

a. labor unions.b. the Chamber of Commerce.c. antislavery organizations.d. public-interest lobbies.e. None of these.


17. Each of the following is a factor that explains the rise of interest groups during certain periods of U.S. history except

a. the reduced role of government.b. changing economic conditions.



c. government policy, including social welfare programs.d. available leadership.e. B and C.

Type: FactualAns: EPage: 226

18. One type of interest group whose representation in Washington has skyrocketed since 1970 is the

a. professional organization.b. trade association.c. corporate lobby.d. union lobbies.e. public-interest lobby.

Type: FactualAns: APage: 227

19. An organization that seeks to influence public policy is most accurately referred to as a(n)

a. interest group.b. lobby.c. institutional interest.d. membership interest.e. referenced interest.


20. The U.S. wine industry is represented in Washington by a group that seeks to influence public policy regarding wine. This group is most accurately called a(n)

a. membership interest.b. solidary group.c. institutional interest.d. public-interest lobby.e. referenced interest.


21. The U.S. tobacco industry is represented in Washington by a strong lobby that seeks to influence public policy regarding the use of tobacco. This lobby is most accurately referred to as a(n)

a. membership interest.b. solidary group.c. institutional interest.d. public-interest lobby.e. referenced interest.


22. An example of a typical activity that an institutional interest might conduct on behalf of a client would be

a. lobbying for laws to protect the client from foreign competition.

b. forming small local chapters to raise campaign funds.c. offering life insurance at reduced rates for its members.d. offering a cash payment to legislators in exchange for a crucial

vote.e. offering a cash payment to legislators to appear at a public

meeting.




23. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce represents thousands of different businesses locally and in Washington. Is it still called an institutional interest, even though it has no single client?

a. Yes, because membership is voluntary.b. Yes, because it still acts on behalf of other organizations.c. No, because membership is nonvoluntary.d. No, because institutional interests represent a single

organization.e. No, because membership is connected to one’s occupational

background.

Type: FactualAns: DPage: 228

24. Americans are more likely to join ________ than are citizens of other countries.

a. labor unionsb. business and trade associationsc. professional and charitable organizationsd. religious and political associationse. A and B.


25. The reason Americans participate in civic associations more frequently than do citizens of other countries is

a. their greater dissatisfaction with the government.b. their more intense attachment to parties.c. their European heritage.d. the fact that they are less sensitive to the free-rider problem.e. their sense of political efficacy and civic duty.


26. Which of the following is true of most people who are sympathetic to the aims of a mass-membership interest group?

a. They do not join it.b. They join it but do not pay dues.c. They join it, pay dues, but do not participate in its activities.d. They join it, pay dues, and participate in its activities.e. They join it, but participate without paying dues.


27. The main reason why most people who are sympathetic to the goals of a mass-membership activity group do not join it is that they

a. are deterred by the membership dues.b. are basically selfish.c. realize they are unlikely to make a difference in its success.d. realize they will not benefit even if the group is successful in

its activities.e. are basically apathetic.


28. People who join the parent teacher associations (PTAs) are most likely to do so as a result of ________ incentives.

a. solidary



b. materialc. purposived. partye. tangible


29. At some time in your life, you have probably joined a group largely for companionship and pleasure. Such a group was satisfying your ________ needs.

a. materialb. purposivec. partyd. solidarye. concurrent


30. A major function of local chapters of national membership organizations is to

a. pursue political objectives at the national level.b. represent individual clients to the national organization.c. lobby politicians to oppose other groups.d. lobby politicians to enact specific laws.e. lure members and raise money from them.


31. Solidary-type incentives are most likely to motivate people who join

a. a farm bureau.b. Public Citizen.c. the parent teacher associations (PTAs).d. the Mafia.e. American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).


32. Members of a farm bureau are most likely to have joined as a result of ________ incentives.

a. solidaryb. concurrentc. purposived. partye. material


33. Which of the following is NOT an example of a material incentive?

a. the opportunity for members to market their products through cooperatives

b. low-cost life insurancec. the appeal of the organization's stated goalsd. free assistance in preparing tax returnse. free assistance in estate planning

Type: ConceptualAns: B 34. The National Association of Science Teachers offers its members

reduced rates on automobile rentals. Such benefits to members are



Page: 229 called ________ benefits.

a. solidaryb. materialc. purposived. partye. concurrent


35. Purposive incentives are most likely to motivate people who join

a. the Illinois Farm Bureau.b. the National Organization for Women (NOW).c. the parent teacher associations (PTAs).d. the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).e. the Rotary Club.


36. Members of Public Citizen are most likely to have joined as a result of ________ incentives.

a. solidaryb. materialc. purposived. partye. concurrent

Type: FactualAns: BPage: 229

37. To be effective, purposive membership organizations count on

a. keeping issues out of the spotlight.b. keeping issues in the spotlight.c. major foundation funding.d. favorable treatment by the courts.e. litigation which receives little public attention.


38. Unlike other types of mass-membership organizations, public-interest lobbies principally benefit

a. legislative leaders.b. local chapters.c. individual clients.d. government employees.e. nonmembers.


39. A public-interest organization can be defined as one that, if its goals were achieved, would benefit primarily

a. those who are not members of the organization.b. the government.c. the membership.d. the political parties.e. legislative leaders.

Type: Factual 40. Ideological interest groups attract people by appealing to



Ans: DPage: 229

a. the sociability instinct.b. a desire to engage in contests for public office.c. the common economic interest of the members.d. a coherent, often controversial, set of principles.e. economic disparities.


41. Organizations that attract members by appealing to a coherent set of usually controversial principles are called

a. political parties.b. pressure groups.c. splinter groups.d. ideological interest groups.e. out-party groups.


42. The policies of public-interest organizations are predominantly shaped by

a. the elites who dominate them.b. concerned citizens who are not members.c. their membership.d. corporate sponsors.e. B and C.


43. A PIRG is an organization dedicated to

a. working on and studying local consumer/political issues.b. opposing the nuclear arms race.c. representing conservatives on environmental issues.d. providing campaign funds to unpopular candidates.e. supporting civil rights for gays.


44. Which consumer activist has spawned more than a dozen interest groups since the mid-1960s?

a. Michael Mooreb. Ralph Naderc. Gloria Steinemd. James Watte. Jerry Brown


45. Public-interest lobbies typically make better progress when the administration is

a. Republican.b. Democratic.c. hostile.d. friendly.e. neutral.

Type: FactualAns: A 46. According to the text, one of the important activities of public-

interest law firms is to



Page: 231(box)

a. bring suits on behalf of persons harmed by some public or private policy.

b. provide members of Congress with timely information on controversial issues.

c. document lawsuits against government agencies.d. give legal advice to public-interest organizations.e. block litigation which opposes governmental regulations.

Type: FactualAns: APage: 231(box)

47. According to the text, one of the important activities of public-interest law firms is to

a. file amicus curiae briefs.b. provide congressmen with timely information on controversial

issues.c. document lawsuits against government agencies.d. give legal advice to public-interest organizations.e. block litigation which opposes governmental regulations.


48. Which of the following is not a liberal public-interest law firm?

a. The Center for Individual Rightsb. American Civil Liberties Unionc. NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fundd. Women's Legal Defense Funde. Natural Resources Defense Council

Type: FactualAns: DPage: 231(box)

49. Which of the following is not a conservative public-interest law firm?

a. Atlantic Legal Foundationb. Criminal Justice Legal Foundationc. Landmark Legal Foundationd. Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rightse. Washington Legal Foundation


50. Which of the following statements about a social movement is true?

a. It is a widely shared demand for change.b. It must have liberal goals.c. It refers specifically to the political order.d. It is a twentieth-century phenomenon.e. It can only take place when courts are open to the prospect of

radical change in the law.


51. Which of the following statements about a social movement is generally true?

a. The more extreme its position, the smaller its size.b. The more liberal its position, the larger its size.c. The more moderate its position, the smaller its size.d. The more purposive its membership incentives, the smaller its

size.e. It can only take place when courts are open to the prospect of



radical change in the law.


52. Which of the following environmental groups has the smallest membership?

a. Environmental Defense Fundb. Wilderness Societyc. National Wildlife Federationd. Sierra Clube. Environmental Action


53. The League of Women Voters is an example of a feminist organization whose membership incentives are primarily

a. material.b. purposive.c. concurrent.d. ideological.e. solidary.


54. The National Organization for Women (NOW) is an example of a feminist organization whose membership incentives are primarily

a. material.b. purposive.c. solidary.d. sociological.e. concurrent.


55. A feminist organization that takes strong political positions on sensitive issues will probably attract members with what type of incentives?

a. materialb. purposivec. solidaryd. sociologicale. concurrent


56. An example of a feminist organization whose membership incentives are primarily material is the

a. National Organization for Women (NOW).b. National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL).c. League of Women Voters.d. Women's Equity Action League (WEAL).e. A, B and C.


57. The peak of the union movement in the United States occurred in the year

a. 1923.



b. 1932.c. 1945.d. 1956.e. 1978.


58. The proportion of the nonfarm work force that is unionized today is approximately

a. 14 percent.b. 20 percent.c. 35 percent.d. 50 percent.e. 65 percent.


59. A major cause in the decline of union membership in the United States was a(n)

a. shift in the nation's economic life toward industrial production.b. decline in public support for unions.c. shift in the nation's economic life away from service delivery.d. increase in the number of union members with purposive

incentives.e. increase in the number of union members with concurrent

incentives.


60. Which of the following interest groups will probably have the most difficult time raising money?

a. a lobbying organization representing a nonprofit organizationb. a lobbying organization representing a for-profit organizationc. a membership organization relying on appeals to purposed. a membership organization relying on solidary incentivese. A and B.


61. Each of the following is an important source of funds for lobbying organizations except

a. foundation grants.b. membership dues.c. government grants.d. direct-mail solicitations.e. A, B and C.


62. Some $21 million was donated to various liberal interest groups between 1970 and 1980 by the

a. Lilly Foundation.b. Ford Foundation.c. Pew Memorial Trust.d. Sloan-Kettering Fund.e. Rockefeller Family Fund.




63. Federal funding cuts to lobbying organizations seemed to reflect a bias against liberal causes during the presidency of

a. Gerald Ford.b. Bill Clinton.c. Jimmy Carter.d. Lyndon Johnson.e. Ronald Reagan.


64. Cuts made by the Reagan administration in funding various interest groups seemed to reflect a bias

a. against liberal groups.b. against conservative groups.c. for domestic programs.d. against domestic programs.e. in favor of groups that were union based.


65. Of the three major sources of funds available to interest groups, the one that is unique to modern interest groups is

a. foundation grants.b. federal grants and contracts.c. low interest loans from the political parties.d. public funding via the personal income tax return.e. computerized direct-mail solicitations.


66. Common Cause, a liberal organization founded in 1970, gets its financial support from

a. union and corporate sponsorship.b. foundations.c. direct-mail solicitation.d. providing nonpolitical material incentives to members.e. low interest loans from the political parties.


67. For direct-mail campaigns to succeed, they must get donations from at least ________ percent of their addressees.

a. 2b. 10c. 20d. 50e. 55


68. The many interest groups that contacted four-month-old Daniel Aaron Schlozman illustrate that

a. groups share one another's mailing lists.b. television personalities are a valuable asset to any group.c. millionaires are rarely turned down for membership.d. conservative groups rely heavily on direct mail.e. liberal groups focus on younger voters.




69. To say that "the pressure system has an upper-class bias" is to

a. state an important principle of lobbying.b. state an incorrect view of lobbying.c. say much about the people who join groups, but nothing about

the positions the groups will take.d. say much about the positions groups take, but nothing about

the people who join these groups.e. say much about the people who join groups, but nothing about

their talents and skills.


70. The Americans who are most likely to join interest groups are

a. religious people.b. people in small communities.c. people from the lower socioeconomic classes and members of

minority groups.d. people in economic distress.e. people with better-than-average incomes.


71. Although knowing that the oil industry, for example, is represented by more than 170 interest groups may be useful, this fact is important only if these groups

a. represent different interests.b. are all membership groups.c. are all lobbying organizations.d. always protected the oil industry.e. are representative of the population of oil interests.


72. Of the nearly 7,000 groups represented in Washington, approximately what percentage are corporations?

a. 5b. 10c. 50d. 70e. 98


73. The divisions among lobbying groups representing the same sector of society is clear in the example of the

a. Chamber of Commerce.b. farmers.c. airline pilots.d. Democrats.e. steel workers.


74. The example of farmers illustrates that interest groups from the same sector are often

a. an unbeatable combination.b. divided among themselves.



c. unrepresentative of their numbers.d. unsure of their own best interests.e. unified, but incapable of action.


75. Probably the best measure of an interest group's influence is its

a. size.b. wealth.c. organizational skill.d. contacts.e. issue dexterity.


76. Probably the most effective commodity at the command of interest groups is

a. money.b. allegiance.c. persuasiveness.d. media access.e. information.


77. Why is information such an important commodity to interest groups and legislators alike?

a. because legislators cannot be expert on all issues, and they rely on lobbyists for information

b. because lobbyists cannot be expert on all issues, and they rely on legislators for information

c. because most other forms of legislative support that might be given by interest groups is illegal

d. because information is such a common commoditye. because legislators like to have information to back up their

expert opinions about legislation


78. The single most important tactic of the typical lobbyist is

a. generating newspaper headlines.b. mobilizing letter-writing campaigns.c. filing suits in court.d. manipulating the media for public demonstrations.e. supplying information to legislators.


79. The value of information, the power of the lobbyists, and thus the success of interest groups are greatest when the issue

a. involves other interest groups also.b. is fairly narrow.c. is broad enough to gather mass support.d. is a highly visible national policy.e. is both broad and visible.

Type: Factual 80. Lobbyists are restrained from misrepresenting facts or misleading



Ans: DPage: 238 legislators by

a. the 1984 Truth-in-Lobbying Law.b. the open nature of the lobbying process.c. governmental regulatory agencies such as the FTA.d. the fear of losing legislators' trust and confidence.e. supervision of the federal courts.


81. Prior to deregulation, air routes and fares to major cities were determined by the

a. Department of Transportation (DOT).b. Federal Communications Commission (FCC).c. Department of the Interior.d. Civil Aeronautics Board.e. A and B.


82. When the Civil Aeronautics Board was setting airline rates and conferring air routes on various cities, most of those appearing before it at its hearings were

a. airline companies.b. passenger representatives.c. government officials.d. lawyers.e. airport employees.


83. In addition to seeking technical information from lobbyists, public officials often look to them for

a. help in persuading uncommitted voters.b. assistance in their personal lives.c. legal expertise.d. political cues on particular issues.e. inside tips on campaigning slogans.


84. One type of political cue a legislator might consider before taking a position on an issue would be

a. what lobbies are in favor of the issue.b. what bureaucratic changes would need to be made if the

legislation passes.c. what the Supreme Court's position is on the issue.d. what type of technical information is available to lobbyists.e. the general position of articles appearing in law reviews.


85. One type of political cue a legislator might look at before taking a position on an issue would be

a. whether lobbies with similar ideology are united on the issue.b. what bureaucratic changes would need to be made if the

legislation passes.c. what the Supreme Court's position is on the issue.



d. what type of technical information is available to lobbyists.e. the general position of articles appearing in law reviews.


86. An important tool that organizations like the AFL-CIO and Americans for Constitutional Action use to influence politicians' behavior is the publication of

a. potentially embarrassing personal information.b. statutes which contradict legislator’s public statements.c. letters to the politicians.d. legislation proposed by the politicians.e. legislator ratings.


87. The primary purpose of legislative ratings used by various interest groups is to

a. inform the general electorate of major issues.b. compare the performances of different legislators.c. provide a cover for illegal influence peddling.d. influence the behavior of legislators.e. guide administrative officers in the interpretation of federal

regulations and statutes.


88. One method used by lobbyists to convince undecided legislators that public opinion on an issue is inclined toward their direction is to

a. supply them with their most recent ratings.b. supply them with technical information.c. commission a public opinion poll.d. cultivate the goodwill of government officials.e. threaten a lawsuit.



a. get newspapers to run editorials in support of the issue.b. supply the legislators with recent ratings.c. supply the legislators with technical information.d. cultivate the goodwill of government officials.e. threaten a lawsuit.



a. encourage local citizens to send telegrams.b. supply the legislators with recent ratings.c. supply the legislators with technical information.d. cultivate the goodwill of government officials.e. threaten a lawsuit.

Type: FactualAns: B 91. Of the exertion of public pressure on legislators, the text concludes

that it



Page: 240 a. generally works.b. is not clear how often it works.c. rarely works.d. works best with new legislators.e. works best with senior legislators.


92. In recent years, interest groups frequently use a grassroots lobbying strategy referred to as

a. insider.b. wholesale.c. collective.d. outsider.e. end-run.


93. An example cited by the text of how grassroots opposition to a governmental action can influence Congress is the example of

a. the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) banning of saccharin.

b. the Forest Service's banning of campfires in national parks.c. the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) approval of acid

rain.d. the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) approval of strategic

assassination.e. the Internal Revenue Service’s approval of electronic filing.


94. The Dirty Dozen consisted of the

a. least ethical interest groups in Washington.b. Midwestern states most responsible for acid rain.c. most deeply bureaucratized federal agencies.d. most anti-industry legislators in the Senate.e. most anti-environment legislators in the House.


95. A highly effective rating system used by Environmental Action, Inc., since 1970 is called

a. Smokey the Bear's Friends.b. Boosters and Polluters.c. the Dirty Dozen.d. Sierra's Supporters.e. Woods Are Our Hoods.


96. The 1993 Brady Bill was opposed by which of the following interest groups?

a. the National Organization for Women (NOW)b. the National Rifle Organization (NRA)c. the Sierra Clubd. the NAACPe. the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)




97. The scholarly evidence that political action committee (PAC) money buys votes in Congress

a. is sketchy at best.b. is fairly strong but still inconclusive.c. is substantial.d. is conclusive.e. clearly documents there is absolutely no relationship between

contributions and votes.


98. Which of the following statements is incorrect?

a. Money is probably one of the least effective ways by which interest groups advance their causes.

b. Only a few decades ago powerful interests used their bulging wallets to buy influence in Congress.

c. Campaign finance laws have restricted the amount that interest groups can give to candidates.

d. Campaign finance laws have made it legal for corporations and labor unions to form PACs.

e. None of these.


99. Which of the following statements is correct?

a. Money is probably one of the most effective ways by which interest groups advance their causes.

b. The bulging wallets of powerful interest groups buy more influence in Congress today than they did a few decades ago.

c. Campaign finance laws place no restrictions on the amount of money that interest groups give to candidates.

d. Corporations and labor unions cannot form PACs.e. None of these.


100. The passage of the campaign finance reform law in 1973

a. sharply restricted the amount that any interest could give to a candidate.

b. made it legal for corporations and labor unions to form PACs.c. led to a decrease in PACs and PAC spending.d. A and Be. A and C


101. The campaign finance reforms of 1973

a. encouraged a rapid growth in PACs.b. led to a slight decrease in the number of PACs.c. led to a significant decrease in the number of PACs.d. had no impact on the number of PACs.e. reduced PAC spending.

Type: ConceptualAns: C 102. Could a member of Congress start a political action committee



Page: 241 (PAC)?

a. No, PACs are organizations, not individuals.b. No, PACs influence legislators and therefore cannot consist of

legislators.c. Yes, and many have.d. Yes, but only after the legislator leaves Congress.e. Yes, but only after being re-elected at least once.


103. Which of the following organizations can form a PAC?

a. trade associationsb. citizens' groupsc. corporationsd. all of thesee. none of these


104. The type of interest group that increased its numbers most rapidly in the early 1980s was the

a. corporate political action committee (PAC).b. labor PAC.c. professional PAC.d. ideological PAC.e. legislative PAC.


105. In the 1992 elections, most of the ideological political action committees (PACs) were

a. liberal.b. conservative.c. independent.d. moderate.e. nonpartisan.


106. Although ideological political action committees (PACs) raised more money in several recent elections than either labor or business PACs, they gave less to candidates because

a. they retained a large share of their contributions for nonelection causes.

b. they spent more on campaigns than on candidates.c. they spent mostly on incumbents.d. they spent more on advertising than candidates.e. their overhead was so much higher.


107. Compared to labor and business political action committees (PACs), ideological PACs

a. raise less money.b. spend more money on candidates.c. raise more money and spend less on candidates.d. raise less money and spend more on candidates.



e. spend more money on fewer candidates.


108. Ideological political action committees (PACs) raise more money overall but spend less of it on candidates than

a. political parties.b. public-interest groups.c. voluntary associations.d. labor and business groups.e. A, B and C.

Type: FactualAns: DPage: 242(Table 9.3)

109. The political action committee (PAC) that contributed the most money to congressional candidates in the 2000 election was that of

a. state, county, and municipal employees.b. Voter Education Committee.c. National Education Association (NEA).d. Realtors Association.e. United Auto Workers.


110. The proportion of all House campaign funding that is contributed by political action committees (PACs) is approximately what percent?

a. 10b. 33c. 66d. 85e. 90


111. The average political action committee (PAC) donation to a House candidate accounts for approximately what percentage of the candidate's total campaign receipts?

a. less than 1b. approximately 10c. approximately 25d. more than 50e. more than 60


112. Which of the following statements about business political action committees (PACs) is generally true?

a. They give most of their money to Democrats.b. They give most of their money to Republicans.c. They divide their money between Democrats and Republicans.d. They promote education rather than candidates.e. They change party allegiance frequently.


113. Sometimes money affects legislative behavior not so much by buying votes as by ensuring

a. access.



b. veto power.c. procedural fairness.d. favorable implementation.e. sympathy in administrative hearings.


114. The term revolving door is used in the text to mean

a. entry-level jobs requiring little experience.b. agencies frequently reflect the view of interest groups which

lobby them directly.c. administrations in which senior cabinet members serve very

short terms.d. lobbyists waiting inside the door to speak to officials.e. a departing government official joining a firm with which he or

she had been doing business.


115. The Reagan administration official convicted of perjury in connection with a revolving-door investigation was

a. Michael Deaver.b. Edwin Meese.c. Oliver North.d. George Bush.e. Eliot Abrams.


116. Reagan's deputy chief of staff Michael Deaver was convicted of perjury in connection with an investigation of his having

a. lobbied the White House, soon after he left it, on behalf of various business and labor unions.

b. accepted a bribe from a lobbyist for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

c. accepted fees for lecturing on topics that were considered sensitive to government security.

d. used his former government contacts to help the clients of his public relations firm.

e. B and C.


117. A government official might leave her position and join a corporation to which she previously awarded government contracts. This is a clear example of

a. agency lacing.b. government operating on its own inner logic.c. a conflict of interest.d. double-dipping.e. the revolving door.


118. A legislator asks for a campaign contribution from a political action committee (PAC) in return for a favorable vote on a piece of legislation supported by the PAC. This payment is called

a. solicitation.



b. bribery.c. double jeopardy.d. the revolving door.e. a formula contribution.


119. All of the following activities are specifically forbidden by the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 except

a. bribery.b. refusal of a president to disclose income from stocks and

bonds.c. employment of a former government official by a lobbying

group.d. outside employment by a government official if such

employment might create a conflict of interest.e. solicitation of funds for the performance of duties.


120. Disruption or making trouble is

a. a tactic most commonly used by extremist groups.b. a tactic used by have-nots and those who otherwise would have

little influence.c. becoming less and less common in politics.d. a tactic used by conservatives.e. a quite conventional political resource.


121. The text asserts that, although the civil rights and antiwar movements of the 1960s have dissipated,

a. their "veterans" continue to use the same tactics.b. they could return under the right set of circumstances.c. their causes are just as urgent today.d. they should not be accorded historical respectability.e. they are more unified than ideological.


122. Interest-group activity is protected under the U.S. Constitution by the

a. First Amendment.b. Fourth Amendment.c. Fourteenth Amendment.d. Twenty-second Amendment.e. None of these.


123. The Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1946 required groups and individuals seeking to influence legislation to

a. limit their activities to seven pieces of legislation.b. limit their activities to either the House or the Senate.c. prepare and publish written statements of intent.d. register and file quarterly financial reports.e. register, file statements of intent and limit their activities to one

legislative chamber.




124. The Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1946 was _____ by the United States Supreme Court.

a. expandedb. declared unconstitutionalc. limitedd. never actually reviewede. amended


125. The text suggests the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1946

a. had considerable effect.b. had a slight impact on lobbying activities.c. had little practical effect.d. was effective with respect to registration of lobbyists.e. resulted in accurate reporting of interest group finances.


126. Which of the following characterizations of the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1946 is incorrect?

a. It required lobbying groups to register.b. It created and funded a staff in charge of enforcing the law.c. It had little practical effect.d. The U.S. Supreme Court limited its scope.e. It required financial reports.


127. In 1968, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) revoked the tax-exempt status of the Sierra Club because of its

a. advocacy of unpopular causes.b. direct foreign investments.c. illegal banking activities.d. international fundraising.e. extensive lobbying activities.


128. In 1968, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) revoked the tax-exempt status of what group because of its extensive lobbying activities?

a. Sierra Clubb. National Rifle Association (NRA)c. Consumer Coalitiond. National Farmers' Organizatione. National Organization for Women


129. Which of the following statements about interest-group activity is correct?

a. It is immune from regulation by state governments.b. It is subject to regulation on the same basis as other activities

of business and labor.c. It constitutes a suspect category under the law.d. It is immune from government regulation in any form.



e. It is protected by the First Amendment.


130. The Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1946 has had ________ effect on the registration and control of lobbyists.

a. a greatb. a modestc. little practicald. noe. an undetermined

TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONSAns: TruePage: 223

131. The more cleavages found in a society, the more interest groups will probably exist.

Ans: FalsePage: 223

132. The number of interest groups in a society is inversely related to the number of cleavages in it.

Ans: TruePage: 224

133. The United States has interest groups active at more levels than does Great Britain.

Ans: TruePage: 224

134. Great Britain offers fewer access points for interest groups than does the United States.

Ans: TruePage: 224

135. Interest groups tend to be stronger where political parties are not.

Ans: FalsePage: 224

136. When political parties are strong, interest groups are more likely to be strong also.

Ans: FalsePage: 225

137. Interest groups and parties are more closely linked to one another in America than they are in Europe.

Ans: TruePage: 225

138. Though American interest groups often support one party, the relationship between party and interest group here is not as close as it is in Europe.

Ans: FalsePage: 225

139. The number of interest groups in the United States has slightly increased since 1960.



Ans: FalsePage: 225

140. The observation that interest groups are created more rapidly in some periods than in others suggests that these groups arise out of natural social processes.

Ans: TruePage: 226

141. Professional societies became politicized because government had the power to supervise their licensing.

Ans: TruePage: 226

142. As government takes on more responsibilities, the number of active interest groups tends to increase.

Ans: FalsePage: 226

143. Increases in government power and responsibility are more likely to be followed by decreases in the number of political interest groups.

Ans: TruePage: 226

144. Predicting when interest groups will be formed frequently or infrequently is impossible.

Ans: FalsePage: 226

145. Government licensing power tends to prevent the politicization of professional groups.

Ans: TruePage: 226

146. The text suggests government policy itself has helped create interest groups.

Ans: TruePage: 227

147. Any organization that seeks to influence public policy is an interest group.

Ans: FalsePage: 227

148. Any group of adult citizens can be classified as an interest group.

Ans: FalsePage: 228

149. Labor and business groups are the largest in the United States, followed by religious and political organizations.

Ans: FalsePage: 227

150. A major function of an institutional interest group is to provide solidary benefits to its members.

Ans: FalsePage: 227

151. Institutional interests and membership interests are nearly identical in their makeup.

Ans: TruePage: 228

152. Some interest groups are able to speak for a whole segment of society, even though only a small fraction of that segment belongs to



the group.

Ans: TruePage: 228

153. Americans are more likely to join religious and political organizations than labor or business groups.

Ans: FalsePage: 228

154. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) must enroll a sizable proportion of all U.S. blacks to be a credible black-interest group.

Ans: FalsePage: 228

155. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is an example of a material-benefits group.

Ans: TruePage: 229

156. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is an example of a material-benefits interest group.

Ans: FalsePage: 229

157. Individuals who feel passionately about the goal of an interest group are most likely to be pursuing material incentives.

Ans: TruePage: 229

158. Public-interest lobbies principally benefit nonmembers.

Ans: TruePage: 229

159. Membership organizations that rely on purposive incentives tend to be shaped by the mood of the times.

Ans: TruePage: 229

160. A social movement need not have liberal goals.

Ans: FalsePage: 229

161. Public-interest lobbies have declined in importance since the 1950s.

Ans: FalsePage: 232(box)

162. Think-tanks are public-interest groups that are politically neutral.

Ans: FalsePage: 231(box)

163. An example of a liberal public-interest law firm is the Pacific Legal Foundation.

Ans: TruePage: 230

164. Public interest groups often do better when the government is in the hands of an administration that is hostile to their views.



Ans: FalsePage: 231

165. Civil rights is an issue on which the labor movement followed the attitudes of the rank and file in its lobbying activities.

Ans: FalsePage: 231

166. What an interest group does in the political arena gives expression to the interests of its members; know those interests and you know what the organization will do.

Ans: TruePage: 231

167. The interest of an interest group's leadership will often differ from those of the membership.

Ans: TruePage: 231

168. The leadership of the union movement was for many years ahead of its membership on civil rights issues.

Ans: TruePage: 231

169. To know what an interest group will advocate in the political arena, it is not enough to know the interests of its members.

Ans: FalsePage: 231

170. Larger social movements tend to be those with extreme positions.

Ans: FalsePage: 232

171. The League of Women Voters is an example of a feminist organization that attracts members with material incentives.

Ans: TruePage: 233

172. Some feminist organizations take on specific issues that have some material benefit to women.

Ans: FalsePage: 233

173. The union movement in the United States reached its peak during the Great Depression.

Ans: TruePage: 233

174. The major union movement in this country occurred in the 1930s.

Ans: TruePage: 235

175. Unions composed of government workers are becoming the most important part of the union movement.

Ans: TruePage: 235

176. Foundations are a major source of liberal-interest group funding.

Ans: FalsePage: 235

177. Foundation grants are negligible as a source of funding for liberal-interest groups.



Ans: TruePage: 235

178. Private-interest groups are generally better funded than public-interest groups in Washington.

Ans: TruePage: 235

179. Public-interest groups tend to be underfunded compared to private-interest groups in Washington.

Ans: FalsePage: 235

180. The best way to attract contributions through direct-mail solicitations is to use logical arguments and accurate data.

Ans: TruePage: 236

181. Emotional arousal is a fundamental technique in direct-mail solicitations by interest groups.

Ans: TruePage: 236

182. Upper-income people join organizations because they have both the time and the resources.

Ans: FalsePage: 236

183. Most interest groups accurately mirror the socioeconomic makeup of society in general.

Ans: TruePage: 236

184. College-educated people tend to join more organizations.

Ans: FalsePage: 236

185. The largest proportion of interest groups in Washington consists of public-interest lobbies.

Ans: FalsePage: 236

186. The text suggests an upper-class bias is evident in American politics because business-oriented interest groups are rarely divided among themselves.

Ans: FalsePage: 236

187. Farmers are increasingly effective at getting Congress to approve of bills that they want passed.

Ans: TruePage: 237

188. Most political conflicts in this country are rooted in economic conflict between classes.

Ans: TruePage: 237

189. The text argues that most conflicts in U.S. politics are conflicts within the upper-middle class.



Ans: FalsePage: 237

190. Rarely will government officials turn to interest groups for information.

Ans: FalsePage: 237

191. Information provided by interest groups to government bodies rarely will be of any real use.

Ans: FalsePage: 237

192. Interest groups provide members of Congress and bureau chiefs with little useful policy information.

Ans: TruePage: 238

193. Members of Congress and bureau chiefs seek information that is hard to find and expensive to collect but is often available from interest groups.

Ans: FalsePage: 237

194. According to the text, the single most important activity of interest groups is fundraising.

Ans: FalsePage: 238

195. Information provided by interest groups increases in value as issues become broad and more highly visible.

Ans: FalsePage: 238

196. Information provided by interest groups decreases in value as issues become more narrow, complex and technical.

Ans: TruePage: 239

197. The text suggests legislators send “political cues” to interest groups in order to signal support or opposition for a proposal.

Ans: TruePage: 239

198. One important concern about interest group “ratings” is the bias that can result from arbitrary determination of what constitutes a liberal or conservative vote.

Ans: TruePage: 240

199. Many members of Congress tend to hear what they want to hear and deal with interest groups that agree with their positions.

Ans: FalsePage: 240

200. Most members of Congress make a point of listening to the viewpoints of all interest groups on major issues.

Ans: TruePage: 239

201. A legislator would be more likely to support a proposed law if several ideologically similar lobbies all support it.

Ans: FalsePage: 239

202. The primary purpose of legislative ratings is to compare the performances of different legislators.



Ans: TruePage: 239

203. Ratings help to communicate political cues.

Ans: TruePage: 240

204. Lobbyists sometimes commission public opinion polls to sway legislators toward their position.

Ans: TruePage: 240

205. Some lobbying organizations deliberately attack potential allies in government to embarrass them.

Ans: TruePage: 241

206. There is a rising tide of public sentiment undermining the impact of the National Rifle Association's (NRA) anti-gun-control lobby.

Ans: TruePage: 240

207. The text suggests members of Congress are skilled at recognizing and discounting organized mail campaigns.

Ans: FalsePage: 240

208. At various points in time, over thirty members of Congress were included in an interest group’s “Dirty Dozen” list because of their fraudulent use of campaign funds.

Ans: TruePage: 240

209. Many of the members of Congress who were, at various points in time, labeled the “Dirty Dozen” lost their bids for reelection.

Ans: FalsePage: 241

210. The National Rifle Association is an example of a well-funded, all-powerful interest group that is rarely, if ever, beat in the legislative arena.

Ans: TruePage: 241

211. Contribution of money may be one of the least effective ways by which an interest group can advance its cause.

Ans: FalsePage: 241

212. Interest group money buys greater influence in Congress today than it did a few decades ago.

Ans: FalsePage: 241

213. Interest groups are forbidden by law from providing assistance to candidates running for office.

Ans: TruePage: 241

214. Interest groups can legally supply money to public officials who are running for office.

Ans: TruePage: 241

215. Most ideological political action committees (PACs) today are conservative.



Ans: TruePage: 241

216. The rise of ideological PACs has been the most remarkable development in interest group activity in recent years.

Ans: FalsePage: 242Table 9.5

217. Most money given by political action committees (PACs) to candidates running for Congress goes to incumbents.

Ans: FalsePage: 243

218. The phrase revolving door refers to interest-group contributions to congressional candidates.

Ans: TruePage: 242

219. Labor groups tend to support Democrats.

Ans: FalsePage: 241

220. Ideological political action committees (PACs) tend to give a higher percentage of their contributions to candidates than do business groups.

Ans: TruePage: 243

221. Scholars have yet to find systematic evidence that PAC contributions generally affect how members of Congress vote.

Ans: FalsePage: 243

222. Majoritarian politics are especially conducive to influence by interest group money.

Ans: TruePage: 243

223. Client politics are especially conducive to influence by group money.

Ans: FalsePage: 245

224. Disruptive tactics in U.S. politics are associated almost exclusively with left-wing groups.

Ans: FalsePage: 245

225. Disruption in U.S. politics is pretty much a lower-class phenomenon.

Ans: TruePage: 245

226. "Proper" people have a long history of using disruptive methods to achieve their political goals.

Ans: TruePage: 245

227. Attempts to regulate lobbying have not met with much success to date.



Ans: FalsePage: 245

228. Federal registration of lobbyists and lobby organizations has been successful in controlling interest groups.

Ans: FalsePage: 245

229. The Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1946 restricted the activity of general grassroots interest groups.

Ans: TruePage: 245

230. In 1995 Congress enacted a law that tightened up registration and disclosure requirements of lobbyists.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS231. Explain why interest groups are especially numerous in the United States.

Answer

a. Many cleavages along religious, cultural, and regional lines

b. Multiple access points in the federal, decentralized system

c. Political parties weak in channeling interests into system

Page: 223-225

232. List and discuss the factors that have led to the emergence of interest groups at different times in our history.

Answer

a. Broad economic developments: farms, labor, and so forth

b. Intentional governmental policy: AFBF, Chamber of Commerce

c. Emergence of leadership: antislavery to pre-civil rights leaders

d. Activities of government: public interest, social welfare, environment

Page: 220-221

233. Distinguish between the two kinds of interest groups.

Answer

a. Institutional: organizations that represent other organizations; interested in bread-and-butter issues

b. Membership: groups supported by activities and contributions of individuals

Page: 225-226

234. What kinds of incentives get people to join interest groups? Explain each.

Answer

a. Solidary: sense of status, pleasure, of companionship that arises out of meeting together in small groups

b. Material: receiving money or other valued good or service from membership

c. Purposive: appeal of group's goal

Page: 228-229

235. Discuss whether a class bias exists in U.S. interest groups. Provide arguments on both sides of the debate.



Answer

a. Evidence for: wealthier people more likely to join, business and professional groups the most numerous.

b. Arguments against: monied interests do not always win, conflicts exist between monied interests.

Page: 236-267

236. What are the major activities engaged in by interest groups to influence policy? Evaluate each.

Answer

a. Information: most important influence because officials need detailed material; most valuable when issue is narrow or complex

b. Public support: politicians try to avoid controversy; target legislators with whom agree

c. PAC money: not effective because regulated by law

d. Revolving door: federal government official takes job in private industry

e. Causing trouble: disruption creates controversy and politicians like to avoid conflict

Page: 237-245

ESSAY QUESTIONS237. Interest groups have acquired a bad reputation. Identify the negative characteristics associated with interest

group-—and political action committee (PAC) — behavior and respond to these charges in defense of interest groups.

Answer

a. Negative behavior: business-oriented, upper-class bias, political corruption tied to campaign contributions, weaken political parties.

b. Business oriented: while business groups constitute the largest number of interest groups, these groups have been more successful at blocking legislation rather than passing bills. Moreover, business groups are divided among themselves and collide on many issues.

c. Upper-class bias: while the leaders of interest groups tend to be upper class, U.S. politics has become more pluralistic. Moreover, most of the major conflicts in politics are conflicts within the upper class.

d. Political corruption: no systematic evidence has demonstrated a correlation between PAC contributions and voting in Congress. Second, PAC contributions are small and account for less than one-third of money spent by House candidates.

e. Weaken political parties: interest groups have emerged because parties are weak; they are not the cause of the weakness of political parties.

Page: 225-226

238. Prior to 1995 the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1946 was the major piece of legislation controlling the behavior of interest groups. Explain the weaknesses of this law, discuss what prompted Congress to enact a new law in 1995, and discuss how this law strengthened the federal government's regulation of interest groups.

Answer

a. The weaknesses of the law are four in number. First, the Supreme Court limited the law to lobbying efforts involving direct contacts with members of Congress. Second, many lobbyists do not register, and financial reports are not checked for accuracy. Third, the law does not apply to grassroots pressure, which is not regulated at all. Fourth, the law has no enforcement mechanism.



b. Growing popular dissatisfaction with Congress was prompted in large measure by the (exaggerated) view that legislators were the pawns of powerful special interests.

c. Broadens definition of lobbyists to include:

(1) people who spend at least 20 percent of their time lobbying;

(2) people who are paid at least $5,000 in any six-month period to lobby; and

(3) corporations and other groups that spend more than $20,000 in any six-month period on their own lobbying staff.

Twice a year, all registered lobbyists must report:

(1) the names of their clients;

(2) their income and expenditures; and

(3) the issue on which they worked.

Page: 245-246


Test Bank5Interest Groups

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