Interest Groups, Political Power, and Policy Influence in U.S. Politics

interest group

A group of people with common goals who organize to influence government

pluralism

Political power is divided amongst interest groups

elitism

Elite hold power on basis of wealth

hyperpluralism

Interest groups are so strong that they have the power to veto policies resulting in gridlock

iron triangles

Also known as subgovernments, a mutually dependent, mutually advantageous relationship between bureaucratic agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees or subcommittees. Iron triangles dominate some areas of domestic policymaking.

potential groups

People who might be interest group members because they share a common interest

actual group

The people in the potential group who actually join.

collective good

Something of value that cannot be withheld from a potential group member

free-rider program

For a group, the problem of people not joining because they can benefit from the group's activities without joining.

selective benefits

benefits available only to those who join the group

single-issue groups

associations focusing on one specific area of public policy

lobbying

Engaging in activities aimed at influencing public officials, especially legislators, and the policies they enact.

electioneering

Direct group involvement in the electoral process

political action committees (PACs)

Groups that raise money from individuals and then distribute it in the form of contributions to candidates that the group supports.

union shop

A company in which new employees must join a union within a stated time period.

right-to-work laws

A state law forbidding requirements that workers must join a union to hold their jobs

public interest lobbies

Organizations that seek a collective good which does not only benefit their membership