Interest Groups & American Politics

These flashcards review the definition, functions, targets, and controversies surrounding interest groups, including the iron triangle, pluralism, and the influence of wealth in American politics.

What is an interest group?

An organized group of individuals that makes policy-related appeals to government.

What are the two main activities of interest groups when interacting with government?

1) Shaping policy by mobilizing voters or pressuring officials, and 2) Gathering and supplying information (often drafting bill language).

Why does membership size matter to an interest group’s political clout?

A large membership signals broad support and can mobilize more voters, giving the group leverage over officials.

Which branch of the federal government is the primary focus of most interest-group lobbying?

Congress.

Besides Congress, which part of government is a frequent target of interest-group influence, and why?

The bureaucracy, because agencies often lack the funds or staff to gather specialized information that well-funded groups can provide.

What three entities form the political “iron triangle”?

Interest groups, Congress, and the bureaucracy.

How do interest groups assist members of Congress within an iron triangle?

By offering campaign support, contributions, and specialized information or even draft legislative language.

Why can wealthy interest groups be more influential with bureaucratic agencies than with Congress?

They can fund extensive research and draft detailed regulations that under-resourced agencies may adopt.

How do regulations compare to laws in importance for many industries?

Regulations can be just as important—sometimes more—because they determine how laws are implemented on a day-to-day basis.

How is an interest group different from a political party?

Parties aim to get candidates elected; interest groups aim to influence the policies those elected officials make.

How is an interest group different from a PAC (Political Action Committee)?

A PAC raises and distributes campaign funds; an interest group focuses on influencing policy, though it may create or donate to PACs.

What is the pluralist argument for why interest groups are good for democracy?

Free competition among many groups prevents any single group from dominating and encourages compromise informed by diverse information.

Which founding document and author are often cited to support pluralism and multiple factions?

James Madison’s Federalist Papers, especially Federalist No. 10.

What democratic benefit do interest groups provide beyond elections?

They allow continuous participation in policy shaping between election cycles.

What is the main criticism that interest-group politics diminishes democracy?

Wealthy groups possess disproportionate resources—money, education, time—allowing them to drown out less affluent voices.

What empirical evidence suggests Congress favors wealthy interests?

Studies summarized in Martin Gilens’s book “Affluence and Influence” show congressional policy choices align more with affluent preferences than with those of the poor.

How has the number of PACs changed since the mid-1970s, and why is that relevant?

The number has grown dramatically, indicating increased organized influence—especially by corporate and wealthy interests.

What industry example illustrates how moneyed interests lobby both Congress and agencies?

The oil and gas industry, represented by groups like the American Petroleum Institute, funds research and drafts language favorable to its interests.