AP Gov: Topic 5.6 - Interest Groups Influencing Policy Study Guide

501 (c) (3)

receive tax deductions for charitable donations and can influence government, but they cannot lobby government officials or donate to campaigns

501 (c) (4)

can lobby and campaign, but they can't spend more than half their expenditures on political issues

direct lobbying

most common form of activity for those who have access

endorsement

a public expression of support

free-rider

lack of resources for smaller groups

grassroots lobbying

when an interest group tries to inform, persuade, and mobilize large numbers of people

grasstops

more limited approach to shaping opinion

iron triangles

bonds among an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group

issue networks

come together to support a specific issue and usually do not have the longterm relationships that characterize iron triangles

lobbying

applying pressure to influence government

lobbyist

present at the first session of the U.S. Congress in 1789

pluralism

multitude of views that ultimately results in a consensus on some issues, has intensified the ongoing competition among interests to influence policy

What type of organization receives tax deductions for charitable donations and can influence government, but is prohibited from lobbying or donating to political campaigns?

501 (c) (3) organization

What type of organization is permitted to engage in lobbying and political campaign activities, provided that political spending accounts for less than half of its total expenditures?

501 (c) (4) organization

What is the term for the most common form of interest group activity involving direct interaction with policymakers who are accessible to lobbyists?

Direct lobbying

What term describes a public expression of support given by an interest group to a political candidate?

Endorsement

What problem arises when individuals benefit from an interest group's lobbying efforts and achievements without contributing time or financial resources?

Free-rider problem

Which lobbying strategy attempts to shape policy by informing, persuading, and mobilizing large numbers of the general public to contact their representatives?

Grassroots lobbying

Which lobbying approach focuses on influencing public opinion through a selective, targeted effort directed at key local leaders and community figures?

Grasstops lobbying

What concept describes the stable, mutually beneficial three-way relationship between an executive administrative agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group?

Iron triangle

How do issue networks differ from iron triangles in shaping public policy?

Issue networks are fluid groups that form around a specific policy issue and lack long-term alliance relationships.

What is the general term for applying pressure to government officials to influence policy decisions?

Lobbying

How far back does the presence of lobbyists in the United States federal government date?

They have been present since the first session of the U.S. Congress in 1789.

Which political theory holds that a multitude of competing interest groups and views ultimately leads to consensus on public policy issues?

Pluralism

What are four primary methods interest groups use to influence policymaking?

Educating voters and officeholders, direct lobbying, drafting legislation, and mobilizing members.

What crucial resource do interest groups provide to members of congressional committees within an iron triangle?

Policy expertise/information and campaign contributions.

How does economic inequality among interest groups affect their access to decision-makers?

Well-funded groups can donate to campaigns, making policymakers much more incentivized to meet with them.