Interest Groups Lecture 4.1 & 4.2

These flashcards cover key concepts related to interest groups, including definitions, characteristics, and effects on American politics.

A formal organization of persons who share common attitudes or concerns is called an __.

Interest Group

Interest groups pursue two types of goals: seek new benefits and __ existing benefits.

Defend

Interest groups form primarily due to protections granted by the __ Amendment.

First

Interest group activities are a type of political participation protected by the __.

Constitution

Not all groups that share interests are considered __ groups.

Interest

Material benefits, solidary benefits, and purposive benefits are different __ for joining interest groups.

Benefits

The __ problem arises when individuals benefit from group activities without contributing.

Free Rider

One method interest groups use to overcome the free rider problem is through providing __ benefits.

Selective

The theory that suggests individuals join interest groups to maximize their personal benefits is called __ choice theory.

Rational

Public goods are characterized as being __ and non-rivalrous.

Non-excludable

Interest groups often engage in __, which involves influencing lawmakers directly.

Lobbying

One-on-one meetings with policymakers are known as __ lobbying.

Direct

Working through intermediaries is called __ lobbying.

Indirect

Interest groups facilitate a flow of communication between __ and government.

Citizens

Coalitions formed based on overlapping interests can lead to __ among interest groups.

Logrolling

Political parties, public opinion, and __ are also targets of interest group lobbying.

Congress

Interest groups are often viewed as a __ force in American politics.

Conservative

Interest groups provide __ information to their members, which can be biased.

Biased

The group that regulates each other through countervailing power includes business and __ interests.

Labor

Interest groups are more effective at blocking changes rather than pushing for __ changes.

Big

The __ Theory suggests latent interests may organize in response to opportunities or threats.

Pluralist

In niche theory, the partitioning of environment increases __ capacity among species.

Carrying

One factor that can influence the creation of interest groups is an __ in a political opportunity.

Opportunity

Individuals with common interests may join as a result of __ between an entrepreneur and unorganized interests.

Exchange

Lawyers representing Bacardi’s adversary claimed their lobbying attempt was __ improper.

Grossly

The practice of having members contribute to a public good through __ membership can help interest groups.

Mandatory

The term __ refers to individuals who do not contribute but still benefit from group activities.

Free Riders

Political decisions often require winners at multiple __ points.

Decision

Social __ is a method used to isolate free riders in small groups.

Ostracism

Interest groups influence tests and provide __ curiae briefs in court cases.

Amicus

Effective interest groups need to have resources and __ debate.

Vigorous

The ability of interest groups to influence the political process is limited when there is strong __ from opposition groups.

Organization

The exchange theory emphasizes the importance of __ in the formation of interest groups.

Leadership

Interest groups typically seek to __ the status quo in political matters.

Maintain