AP GOV Chapter 11 Interest Groups

1. Whereas interest groups tend to be ________, political parties are __________.

a. policy specialists; policy generalists

b. policy generalists; policy specialists

c. pluralists; elitists

d. elitists; pluralists

e. people driven; candidate driven

A

2. A theory of government and politics emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups competing for preferred policies is called

a. pluralism.

b. hyper-pluralism.

c. elite theory.

d. liberalism.

e. republicanism.

A

3. Which of the following statements about pluralism is TRUE?

a. Pluralist theory rests on many centers of power in American politics.

b. Groups serve as a key linkage institution in pluralist theory.

c. Pluralists assume that no single group will become too powerful.

d. The extensive organization of competing groups provides evidence that power is widely dispersed among them.

e. All of the above are true.

E

4. A theory of government and politics contending that societies are divided among classes and that an upper-class elite rules is called

a. elite theory.

b. liberalism.

c. republicanism.

d. hyperpluralism.

e. pluralism.

A

5. Elitist views of interest groups emphasize that

a. groups are essentially equal in their power and thus cancel each others' influence on policymakers.

b. a system of interlocking directorates reinforces the power of the few dominant groups.

c. group competition weakens the ability of any one group to dominate.

d. because there are so many groups, their effect on policy is insignificant.

e. the leaders of powerful interest groups tend to think they are superior to the average citizen and thus demand special privileges from government not accorded the rest of society in order to maintain themselves as a privileged elite.

B

6. Proponents of elite theories of politics would argue that the interest group with the most power consists of

a. business leaders.

b. agriculture and agribusiness.

c. energy and environmental groups.

d. consumer and public interest lobbies.

e. labor unions.

A

7. Another term for a subgovernment is a(n)

a. iron triangle.

b. interest group.

c. multinational corporation.

d. faction.

e. political party.

A

8. All subgovernments have the same goal of

a. protecting the public interest.

b. attacking the government head-on.

c. protecting their self-interest.

d. electing the most qualified people to office.

e. joining the main government.

C

10. The problem faced by groups when people do not join because they can benefit from the group's activity even without joining is called the ________ problem.

a. free-rider

b. single-interest

c. pluralist

d. hyperpluralist

e. perennial

A

11. Goods such as publications, discounts, and group insurance rates are examples of

a. selective benefits.

b. free riders.

c. collective goods.

d. subgovernments.

e. membership requirements.

A

12. A "communication by someone other than a citizen acting on his or her own behalf, directed to a governmental decision maker with the hope of influencing his or her decision" is a definition of

a. campaigning.

b. lobbying.

c. electioneering.

d. litigation.

e. a policy output.

B

13. Many interest groups involve themselves in ________ to help get those they consider to be the right people into office or to keep them there.

a. lobbying

b. electioneering

c. litigation

d. policymaking

e. recruitment

B

14. Amicus curiae briefs

a. are written explanations of a court decision.

b. are lawsuits submitted by interest groups.

c. consist of written arguments submitted to the courts in support of one side of a case.

d. enable groups of similarly situated plaintiffs to combine similar grievances into a single suit.

e. are legal arguments submitted by the president's attorneys advocating the United States government's position in an important federal court case.

C

15. Class action lawsuits

a. consist of written arguments submitted to the courts in support of one side of a case.

b. consist of lawsuits brought to the courts by one particular social class in society.

c. enable a group of similarly situated plaintiffs to combine similar grievances into a single suit.

d. enable organized interest groups to sue the federal government over a particular issue.

e. ask a court to take action against a particular group to stop them from injuring another group financially.

C

16. Interest groups employ the strategy of "going public"

a. because public opinion may ultimately make its way to policymakers.

b. so they can benefit from and use public opinion when possible.

c. to help improve their own reputations as meaningful forces among the public.

d. to create goodwill among the American public.

e. all the above

E

17. Economic interest groups are ultimately concerned with

a. wages, prices, and profits.

b. wages and profits.

c. labor, farmers, business, and profits.

d. labor and prices.

e. business, labor, and farmers.

A

18. According to Jeffrey Berry, organizations that seek "a collective good, the achievement of which will not selectively and materially benefit the membership or the activities of the organization" are called

a. interest groups.

b. selective benefits organizations.

c. public interest lobbies.

d. hyperpluralist groups.

e. free riders.

C

19. The multiplicity of American interest groups and the openness of American politics tends to _______ representation of individual interests.

a. facilitate

b. hinder

c. block

d. discourage

e. amplify

A

1. The term interest group can be generally defined as

a. an organization that seeks a collective good, the achievement of which will not specifically or materially benefit the membership or activists of the organization.

b. a group that has a narrow interest, dislikes compromise, and single-mindedly pursues its goal.

c. all people who share some common interest regardless of whether they join an organization promoting that interest.

d. an organization of people with similar policy goals entering the political process to try to achieve those aims.

e. an organization of people who share a common interest who run candidates sympathetic to that interest in elections.

D

3. According to ________ theorists, interest groups compete and counterbalance one another in the political marketplace.

a. elitist

b. hyperelitist

c. pluralist

d. hyperpluralist

e. free-market

C

4. The group theory of politics offered by pluralist theorists argues all of the following EXCEPT

a. groups provide a key link between people and government.

b. no one group is likely to become too dominant.

c. groups are all of equal strength; for example, in resources and numbers.

d. groups usually play by the rules of the game.

e. different groups win at different times.

C

5. Pluralism is a(n) ______ theory of politics.

a. elite

b. group

c. individual

d. liberal

e. rational

B

6. The pluralist theory of American politics maintains that

a. the extensive organization of competing groups is evidence that influence is widely dispersed among them.

b. the proliferation of interest groups results in political stagnation.

c. the largest interest groups will come to dominate policymaking.

d. although groups often do not play by the rules of the game, they do represent the American public at large.

e. the slogan on our money, e pluribus unum, is accurate in the sense that out of the many competing groups in America, a single unified American purpose has been forged.

A

7. A pluralistic interpretation of interest group politics would maintain that

a. all groups are subject to corrupt practices and tactics involving violence.

b. the degree of organization of a group has no effect on its ability to influence policy.

c. all legitimate groups can affect public policy by means of one political resource or another.

d. when groups compete the public interest is not served.

e. the overemphasis on groups in America has submerged the value of the individual and led to government policies that suppress individual interests.

C

8. According to the pluralist group theory of politics,

a. all groups are equal.

b. groups do not compete.

c. groups do not play by the rules of the game.

d. groups weak in one resource can use another.

e. most political influence comes from individuals speaking in the name of groups but actually acting on their own personal agenda.

D

9. The idea that just a few groups have all the power is associated with

a. elite theory.

b. pluralist theory.

c. hyperpluralist theory.

d. democratic theory.

e. syndicalism.

A

10. Elitist theorists argue that

a. groups weak in one resource can use another, and all legitimate groups are able to affect public policy by one means or another.

b. the fact that there are numerous groups proves nothing, because most groups are extremely unequal in power.

c. the government has treated all interest group demands as legitimate and unwisely chosen to advance them all.

d. the larger the group, the further it will fall short of providing an optimal amount of a collective good.

e. governments should be controlled by a select group of well-educated, cultured, wealthy persons who understand the laws of economics and can run the most efficient government.

B

11. ________ theorists argue that the power of the few is fortified by an extensive system of interlocking directorates and that wealthy corporations prevail when it comes to major decisions by government.

a. Pluralist

b. Hyperpluralist

c. Elitist

d. Hyperelitist

e. Pyramid

C

12. Elite theorists emphasize the power of

a. subgovernments.

b. business corporations.

c. congressional staff members.

d. public interest lobbies.

e. presidents.

B

13. The criticism that government refuses to make tough choices between X or Y, instead pretending there is no need to choose and trying to favor both, is most often made by ________ theorists.

a. pluralist

b. hyperpluralist

c. elitist

d. hyperelitist

e. rational choice

B

14. Interest group liberalism refers to

a. government freedom to favor some interest groups over others.

b. government's excessive deference to interest groups.

c. the liberal political ideology of most interest groups.

d. the proliferation of the number of interest groups.

e. the strong tendency of interest groups to back the Democratic Party and not the Republican Party and that keeps the Democratic Party in power.

B

15. A network of groups within the American political system that exercises power over specific policy areas is called a(n)

a. interest group.

b. subgovernment.

c. elitist.

d. hyperpluralist.

e. rational actor.

B

16. Subgovernments are

a. networks of groups within the American political system that exercise power over specific policy areas.

b. composed of key interest group leaders, government agencies in charge of administrative policy, and congressional committees all interested in particular policy areas.

c. also known as iron triangles.

d. work to protect their own self-interest.

e. All of the above are true.

E

17. Subgovernments are composed of key interest group leaders interested in policy X, the government agency in charge of administering policy X, and the ________ handling policy X.

a. congressional committees and subcommittees

b. federal courts

c. public relations officers

d. political candidates

e. local governments

A

18. The hyperpluralist complaint that interest group politics creates subgovernments refers to the

a. cooperative efforts of business and government to promote special interests.

b. power of interest groups in determining government policies.

c. overwhelming influence of interest groups in local governments.

d. use of paid lobbyists on congressional committees and subcommittees.

e. network of groups within the American political system that continually work against each other.

A

19. Which of the following is NOT one of the major elements of the subgovernment system at the national level?

a. Interest group

b. Congressional committee

c. Federal court

d. Federal agency

e. Bureaucrats

C

20. A hyperpluralist interpretation of group politics would maintain that

a. groups weak in one resource can substitute other resources to influence policy decisions.

b. groups have become so powerful that government ends up aiding every possible interest.

c. the fact that there are numerous groups proves nothing, because groups are unequal in power.

d. groups provide a key linkage between people and government.

e. All of these are true.

B

21. The network comprised by the Retail Tobacco Distributors of America, the Department of Agriculture, and the House Tobacco Subcommittee is an example of a(n)

a. iron triangle.

b. subgovernment.

c. Either a or b is correct.

d. interest group.

e. multinational corporation.

C

22. According to the Fortune Power 25, which of the following factors affects the success of interest groups?

a. Size

b. Intensity

c. Financial resources

d. All of the above affect the size of interest groups.

e. None of the above affects the size of interest groups.

D

The free-rider problem refers to the difficulty that

a. large groups have in activating all their potential members.

b. single-issue groups have when another problem is added to their agenda.

c. actual groups have in collecting dues from members.

d. small groups face in raising enough money to influence policy.

e. potential groups have in trying to receive their share in collective goods.

A

24. Part of Olson's law of large groups is the argument that

a. the larger the potential group, the less likely potential members are to contribute.

b. the larger the potential group, the more likely potential members are to contribute.

c. potential group size does not have any measurable effect on the willingness of potential members to contribute.

d. an actual group and a potential group are virtually the same when it comes to effectiveness.

e. the smaller the group, the less likely the potential members are to contribute.

A

25. Which of the following matters can NOT be explained by Mancur Olson's law of large groups?

a. The problems of public interest lobbies

b. Why small groups are easier to organize

c. Why large groups are less effective than small groups

d. The successes of the Consumers Union

e. Why potential members have incentives to free-ride

D

26. ________ helps to explain why public interest lobbies have relatively small proportions of actual members.

a. The free-rider problem

b. Special interest liberalism

c. The rise of political action committees

d. Tougher regulation of all lobbyists

e. Olson's law of large groups

A

27. Which of the following groups claims the smallest share of its potential members?

a. National Consumers League

b. United States Savings and Loan League

c. Tobacco Institute

d. Air Transport Association

e. American Medical Association

A

28. Clean air, a tax write-off, and a raised minimum wage are all examples of

a. collective goods.

b. potential problems.

c. free-rider problems.

d. single-issue interest groups.

e. selective benefits.

A

29. An advantage for small groups is that

a. free riders can be forced out of the organization, creating more unity.

b. it is easier to reconcile divergent interests in small groups.

c. there is more at stake for each member, making it easier to organize and activate all members.

d. collective goods do not have to share with the big interests.

e. they are able to "hide" in the political process so that opposing groups are not able to organize against them.

C

31. An advantage of single-issue groups is their

a. financial resources.

b. pool of potential members.

c. pool of actual members.

d. intensity.

e. diversity.

D

32. The historic Tax Reform Act of 1986 is a good example of

a. the fact that big interests usually win in American politics.

b. the fact that big interests don't always win in American politics.

c. how difficult it is for large groups to provide an optimal level of a collective good.

d. how easy it can be for groups to overcome the free-rider problem through selective benefits.

e. the power of single issue groups.

B

"A communication, by someone other than a citizen acting on his own behalf, directed to a governmental decision maker with the hope of influencing his decision" is called

a. litigating.

b. electioneering.

c. lobbying.

d. free-riding.

e. collecting benefits.

C

34. Which of the following statements about interest groups is FALSE?

a. The majority of groups now have their headquarters in Washington, D.C.

b. There are an enormous number of highly specialized and seemingly trivial groups.

c. Almost every group has a staff and publications.

d. The growth rate of interest groups has slowed in recent years.

e. Groups are more diverse today than in past decades.

D

35. Which of the following is NOT a way in which a lobbyist can help a member of Congress?

a. Obtaining group support for the politician's reelection

b. Introducing legislation in Congress

c. Providing valuable information on specialized policy areas

d. Helping with political strategy

e. Assisting with the cost of traveling between their home district and Washington, D.C.

B

36. The law regulating whether an organization or firm should register its employees as lobbyists is the

a. Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995.

b. Communications Act of 2000.

c. U.S. Senate Secretary's Registry of Lobbyists.

d. Washington Representatives.

e. McCain-Feingold Act of 2002.

A

37. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the greatest total amount spent on lobbying from 1998 to 2007 was by the _________ industry.

a. music

b. automobile

c. real estate

d. education

e. pharmaceuticals

E

38. According to the text, lobbying works best

a. with people who are undecided about a policy.

b. when large amounts of money are involved.

c. on people already committed to the lobbyist's policy position.

d. when the lobbyist uses pressure tactics.

e. when the lobbyist starts crying and pleading.

C

39. Direct group involvement in the electoral process is called

a. free-riding.

b. electioneering.

c. providing selective benefits.

d. litigating.

e. disclosure.

B

40. Political action committee (PAC) money goes overwhelmingly to

a. Independents.

b. challengers.

c. incumbents.

d. Democrats.

e. Republicans.

C

41. Steve Sovern's LASTPAC and Common Cause

a. agree that all candidates and officeholders should not accept money from political action groups.

b. disagree on the issue of whether PACs engage in influence peddling.

c. disagree on the issue of whether electioneering is an appropriate policy arena for interest groups.

d. agree that the $5,000 limit on PAC contributions makes such contributions meaningless in multimillion-dollar presidential campaigns and should be rescinded.

e. agree that the income tax check-off to support public financing of presidential

campaigns should be eliminated.

A

42. An amicus curiae brief is

a. one that enables a group of similarly situated plaintiffs to combine similar grievances into a single suit to pursue a remedy for past wrongs.

b. an oral or written appeal of a court decision made by an interest group that is party to the particular case.

c. an oral or written appeal of a court decision made by an interest group not party to a particular case.

d. a written argument submitted to the courts in support of one side of a case.

e. the written statement of a court's decision in a case explaining the reasons for the decision.

D

43. Literally, amicus curiae means

a. legal opinion.

b. legal argument.

c. friend of the court.

d. curious observer.

e. let the decision stand.

C

44. ________ enables a group of similarly situated plaintiffs to combine similar grievances into a single suit.

a. An amicus curiae brief

b. A public interest suit

c. Olson's law of large groups

d. A class action lawsuit

e. A collective civil suit

D

45. In "going public," interest groups

a. extend membership to a broader range of people.

b. use advertising and public relations to enhance their image.

c. bring class action suits against their opponents.

d. issue stock.

e. open their decision-making meetings to the general public.

B

47. Right-to- work laws are most strongly supported by

a. unemployed citizens.

b. business groups.

c. union officials.

d. the feminist and civil rights movements.

e. illegal immigrants.

B

Right-to- work laws ________ the union shop.

a. take a neutral stance toward

b. require

c. legalize

d. outlaw

e. regulate

D

The union shop

a. serves as the headquarters of an organized labor group.

b. sells only goods made by laborers affiliated with a union.

c. requires that all employees in a unionized business join the union.

d. is a retail store whose employees are unionized.

e. Both b and d are true.

C

50. Which of the following is an example of a labor union?

a. AFL-CIO

b. AARP

c. FEC

d. FCC

e. NIH

A

The Taft-Hartley Act permits _______, which outlaw union membership as a condition

of employment.

a. right-to- work laws

b. union shops

c. nonlabor PACs

d. public interest lobbies

e. economic interest groups

A

52. The "K Street Project" refers to

a. the encouragement on the part of Democratic congressional leaders to encourage business interest groups and PACs to hire Democrats.

b. the encouragement on the part of Republican congressional leaders to encourage business interest groups and PACs to hire Republicans.

c. efforts on the part of labor groups to repeal the Taft-Hartley Act.

d. efforts on the part of business groups to repeal the Taft-Hartley Act.

e. Both a and c are true.

B

53. The first ________ in April 1970 helped to spur on a number of environmental groups.

a. Earth Day

b. smog alert

c. serious oil spill

d. nuclear power plant accident

e. nuclear plant explosion

A

54. Public interest lobbies are those organizations that

a. emphasize equal rights and equality of opportunity in America.

b. eschew the subgovernment system and operate within view of the public, often through town meetings.

c. have large memberships, usually a million or more.

d. seek a collective good, the achievement of which will not selectively and materially benefit members or activists.

e. focus exclusively on public expenditures directed toward Social Security.

D

55. The multiplicity of interest groups in the United States

a. creates more opportunities for individuals to participate in politics.

b. creates fewer opportunities for individuals to participate in politics.

c. tends to encourage the reduction in the scope of American government.

d. hinders the representation of all interests in the political process.

e. Both b and c are true.

A