Chapter 5 - Interest groups

Question 1

Pluralism?

Answer 1

When a society has many groups representing widely different interests.

Question 2

How do interest groups differ from political parties?

Answer 2

They do not seek power, just to influence those that do have power.

Question 3

What are sectional interest groups?

Answer 3

Groups that represent a section of society such as trade unions.

Question 4

What are causal groups?

Answer 4

Groups that act in favour of ideas or ideology in the belief they benefit us all, rather than just a small sector or group of people.

Question 5

What sectional groups represents American business?

Answer 5

US Chamber of Commerce

Question 6

What sectional groups represents American farmers?

Answer 6

National Farmers’ Union

Question 7

What are the four functions of interest groups?

Answer 7

• Representation
• Citizen participation
• Agenda building
• Programme monitoring

Question 8

How do interest groups build an agenda?

Answer 8

They might bring together different parts of society (business, religion, government) and put pressure on them. They might also draft up bills which politicians can copy word-for-word to propose as law.

Question 9

What are the two categories of interest groups?

Answer 9

• Sectional groups
• Causal groups

Question 10

What are the 4 types of causal groups?

Answer 10

1. Single-interest groups
2. Ideological groups
3. Policy groups
4. Think-tanks

Question 11

Give an example of a single-interest group.

Answer 11

National Rifle Association (NRA)