Interest Groups

Question 1

pluralism

Answer 1

theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in government

Question 2

interest groups

Answer 2

• collections of people with different interests that attempt to influence governmental policies
• usually formally organized, but there are some ways to join informally (social movements, digital networks, etc.)
• some aren’t political (ex. soccer leagues)
• concern themselves with the group’s interests

Question 3

structure based interest groups

Answer 3

• groups representing other organizations, like corporations
• membership isn’t defined by individuals but the organizations they represent
• public sector lobbies, like the National League of Cities
  ex. American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers, Chamber of Commerce

Question 4

individual based interest groups

Answer 4

• represents individual interests not represented in traditional lobbies
• many emerged after the wave of social movements in the 60s
• informal organizations may turn into organized interest groups, such as Black Lives Matter
  ex. NAACP, NRA

Question 5

bias in interest groups

Answer 5

people with higher incomes and level of education are more likely to join interest groups, causing not everyone to be represented by them

Question 6

selective benefits

Answer 6

benefits that only go to members of a particular interest group

Question 7

using the courts

Answer 7

bringing suits directly to the courts, financing suits brought by others and filing amicus curiae briefs
ex. Brown v Board of Education

Question 8

lobbying

Answer 8

attempt by a group to influence the policy through persuasion of government officals

Question 9

going public

Answer 9

trying to influence public opinion for/ against a proposed action by the government

Question 10

grassroots lobbying

Answer 10

• mobilizing an interest group’s membership to contact government officials in support of the group’s position

Question 11

business interest groups

Answer 11

• usually people in business
• advocates for economic interests, against high taxes

Question 12

Blue Collar Interest Groups

Answer 12

• union groups; labor based

Question 13

professional interest groups

Answer 13

based off of teaching, law, doctors, etc.

Question 14

different types of incentives

Answer 14

• material incentive
• informational incentives
• selective incentives
• solidarity incentive
• purpose incentive