Interest Groups Lecture Notes Flashcards

Flashcards based on lecture notes about Interest Groups.

Define Interest Group

An organized body of individuals who seek to influence government.

What is an Economic Interest Group?

An organized body of individuals who have banded together to enhance their wealth or business opportunities.

Define Public Interest Group

An organized body of individuals whose main stated goal is to benefit society as a whole.

What is a Single Issue Interest Group?

An organized body of individuals who seek to influence government in one policy area.

What is a Multi Issue Interest Group?

An organized body of individuals who seek to influence government in more than one policy area.

Briefly explain Salisbury's Resource Scarcity Theory.

There are not enough resources to go around, so individuals form groups to secure their share or possibly get a little bit more.

Briefly explain Truman's Disturbance Theory.

Something is about to happen or has recently happened which upsets enough people that they form a group to fight back.

Name five functions of Interest Groups.

Representation, Participation, Education, Agenda Building, and Program Monitoring.

Give three examples of Major Economic Interest Groups.

Business Roundtable, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers

Give three examples of Trade Interest groups.

American Bankers Association, American Gas Association, American Petroleum Institute

Give three examples of Professional Interest groups.

American Bar Association, American Medical Association, Association of Trial Lawyers

Give three examples of public interest groups.

Common Cause, Consumer Federation of America, Public Citizen

Identify three single-issue interest groups.

National Rifle Association, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, National Abortion Rights Action League

Identify three multi-issue interest groups.

Common Cause, Consumer Federation of America, Children's Defense Fund

What is the Free Rider Problem?

The Free Rider problem stems from a large and politically active membership.

Define Lobbyist

A person who takes part in an organized paid attempt to influence legislation (policies).

What are Political Action Committees (PACs)?

An organization that raises money privately to influence elections or legislation/policy.

What is direct lobbying?

When the higher lobbyist is directly influencing policy.

What is grassroots lobbying?

Asking the members to contact their legislators.

What is coalition building?

When two or more interest groups join together to combine and fight as a larger group.