Interest Groups

Question 1

What are 6 notable interest groups?

Answer 1

1. National Rifle Association (NRA)
2. American Medical Association (AMA)
3. National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)
4. National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP)
5. National Organisation of Women (NOW)
6. American Bar Association (ABA)

Question 2

What are the main 3 types of interest groups and what do they do?

Answer 2

1. Policy groups - attempt to influence a whole policy area
2. Professional groups - represent the economic interests of their neighbours
3. Single interest groups - advocate for policy around specific issues

Question 3

What are the 7 main methods of interest groups?

Answer 3

1. Electioneering
2. Endorsements
3. Direct action
4. Lobbying
5. Education and publicity
6. Fundraising
7. Legal routes

Question 4

Which branch of government do lobbyists most often target?

Answer 4

Congress

Question 5

In 2023, how many organisations lobbied the federal government and how much was spent?

Answer 5

14,000 organisations
$4.2 billion

Question 6

What is revolving door syndrome?

Answer 6

The continued movement of personnel between government and the lobbying industry

Question 7

Roughly what percentage of lobbyists have previously worked in congress?

Answer 7

Around 50%

Question 8

Name one example of a former congressperson who is now a lobbyist and which firm they work with

Answer 8

Ed Perlmutter, Holland & Knight

Question 9

What are 3 prohibitions on federal lobbying?

Answer 9

1. Cannot give gifts to lawmakers
2. Cannot take lawmakers out for dinner for over 456 a head
3. Congresspersons must wait 1 year before joining a lobbying firm and senators must wait 2 years

Question 10

What is the iron triangle?

Answer 10

The tight policy-making relationship between congressional committees, the bureaucracy, and interest groups

Question 11

Roughly how much does the Pentagon spend per year?

Answer 11

Around $850 billion, over half of the federal government’s discretionary budget