AMSCO AP United States Government and Politics- Chapter 17

501(c)(3) organization

A tax code classification that applies to most interest groups; this designation makes donations to the group tax-deductible but limits the group's political activities.

501(c)(4) organization

Nonprofit group that is permitted to lobby and campaign; donations to it are not tax deductible.

direct lobbying

direct interaction with public officials for the purpose of influencing policy decisions

endorsement

an act of giving one's public approval or support to someone or something

free rider

An individual who does not to join a group representing his or her interests yet receives the benefit of the group's influence.

grassroots lobbying

indirect lobbying efforts that spring from widespread public concern

grasstops

an interest group tactic of enlisting the support of people w/ strong local influence or a personal connection to lawmakers

iron triangle

an informal association of federal agency, congressional committee, and interest group that is said to have heavy influence over policy making.

issue network

Relationships among interest groups, congressional committees and subcommittees, and the government agencies that share a common policy concern.

Lobbying

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

Lobbyist

A person attempting to influence government decisions on behalf of an interest group

Pluralism

A theory of government that holds that open, multiple, and competing groups can check the asserted power by any one group.

Bundling

A tactic in which PACs collect contributions from like-minded individuals (each limited to $2000) and present them to a candidate or political party as a "bundle," thus increasing the PAC's influence.

Ideological Groups

Promotes policies based on a set of core political or religious beliefs

insider strategies

quietly persuade gov decision makers exclusively

intergovernmental lobby

An interest group made up of mayors, governors, and other state and local officials who depend on federal funds

material incentives

money or things valued in monetary terms

Nineteenth Amendment

The constitutional amendment adopted in 1920 that guarantees women the right to vote.

outsider strategies

public effort to influence policy with lawsuits or drives

Professional Associations

Groups of individuals who share a common profession and are often organized for common political purposes related to that profession.

public interest group

an organization that seeks a collective good that will not selectively and materially benefit group members

purposive incentive

a benefit that comes from serving a cause or principle

revolving door

Employment cycle in which individuals who work for governmental agencies that regulate interests eventually end up working for interest groups or businesses with the same policy concern.

Seventeenth Amendment

1913 constitutional amendment allowing American voters to directly elect US senators

single-issue groups

Groups that have a narrow interest, tend to dislike compromise, and often draw membership from people new to politics.

Sixteenth Amendment

The constitutional amendment adopted in 1913 that explicitly permitted Congress to levy an income tax.

solidary incentives

allow like minded people to gather

think tanks

a body of experts providing advice and ideas on specific political or economic problems.

trade associations

organizations offering technical and general assistance to entrepreneurs in a specific profession or industry

upper-class bias

though annual membership fees in most interest groups are modest, critics argue that the trend results in policies that favor higher socioeconomic classes.