Unit 5 Review Interest Groups

interest group

an organization that seeks to achieve goals by influencing government decision making.

social capital

the many ways in which our lives are improved in many ways by social connections.

pluralist theory

a theory that holds that policy making is a competition among diverse interest groups that ensure the representation of individual interests.

elite theory

a theory that holds that a group of wealthy, educated individuals wields most political power.

Key function of interest group 1

educate the public about policy issues; Mothers Against Drunk Driving has campaigned to make people aware of the dangers of drunk driving. 1

Key function of interest group 2

provide average citizens with an avenue of access to activism; anyone can join or form an interest group. 2

Key function of interest group 3

interest groups mobilize citizens and stimulate them to participate in civic and political affairs. 3

Key function of interest group 4

perform electoral functions; provide voters with cues about what candidates to vote for, mobilize campaign volunteers and voters. 4

Key function of an interest group 5

provide information and expertise to policymakers 5

Key function of interest group 6

can protect the common good 6

Key function of interest group 7

are an integral part of the government's system of checks and balances 7

Political Action Committee (PACs)

an entity whose specific goal is to raise and spend money to influence the outcome of elections.

social movement

large, often informal groups of individuals or organizations striving for a broad common goal, frequently centered on significant change to the social or political order.

solidary incentives

The motivation to join an interest group based on the companionship and the satisfaction derived from socializing with others that it offers.

purposive incentive

Motivation to join an interest group based on the belief in the groups cause from an ideological or a moral standpoint.

Economic incentive

Motivation to join an interest group because the group works for policies that will provide members with material benefits.

umbrella organizations

interest groups that represent collective groups of industries or corporations; examples: U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Public employee union

A union of employees who work for a city, county, state, or federal government, teachers, police officers.

collective goods

outcomes shared by the general public; also called public goods

free rider problem

the phenomenon of someone deriving benefit from others' actions

Rational Choice Theory

The idea that from an economic perspective it is not rational for people to participate in collective action when they can secure the collective good without participating

lobby

to communicate directly with policy makers on an interest group's behalf

lobbyist

someone who tries to persuade legislators to vote for bills that the lobbyists favor

Issue network

The fluid web of connections among those concerned about a policy and those who create and administer the policy.

iron triangle

The interaction of mutual interests among members of Congress, executive agencies, and organized interests during policy making

Citizens United v. FEC

The court ruled that Federal bans on corporate and union expenditures to promote or target candidates for federal office violated the organization's right to free speech.

climate control

the practice of using public outreach to build favorable public opinion of an organization

electioneering

Working to influence the election of candidates who support the organization's issues.

Types of interest groups

Economic, public and ideological, foreign governments and corporations

amicus curiae

a brief submitted by a "friend of the court", the interest group has an interest in the case but no party. The interest group acts as a third party merely expressing an outside opinion. groups include their research findings in these briefs as experts on matters that are important to them to pursuade judges.

Pluralism

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

benefit of interest groups

multiple access points for people to have their voices heard and influence government policy