Interest Groups

How do interest groups promote democracy?

• They help officials get elected
• They help make the president aware of items that were not previously part of his or her agenda
• They help to communicate the views of industry to staunch the regulatory direction of congress
• They help to convey the policy views of individuals and groups to public officials

Which of these explains a difference between political parties and interest groups?

• Political parties evaluate government policy, while interest groups set government policy.

• Political parties influence laws, while interest groups ratify laws.

• Political parties address many issues, while interest groups usually focus on one issue.

• Political parties support candidates, while interest groups nominate candidates.

Which of these describes the main purpose of an interest group?

• To influence government officials on a specific issue

• To form legislative committees that study public policy

• To regulate the economy by setting federal lending rates

• To select cases for hearing in appeals courts

Which best defines the purpose of Political Action Committees (PACs)?

• To raise and donate money to political compaigns
• Develop yard signs and other campaign materials such as doorhangers
• To influence legislators through lobbying
• To organize people into a political party and run election campaigns

Paid representatives of interest groups who make direct contact with senators and representatives

• Lobbyists
• Con artist
• Salesmen
• Shady characters

Of all the activities that are employed by interest groups, the most significant one is: 

• Running candidates for office
• Providing information
• Offering campaign contributions
• Grassroots mobilization 

All of the following explain the proliferation of interest groups EXCEPT: 

• America is diverse, with countless immigrants, races, and religions
• Because of its federal system, there are multiple points of access to government
• Interest groups often run candidates for office to give their supporters a voice in government
• Political authority is shared by several branches of government, each of which might be targeted by interest groups

Why are lobbyists useful to members of Congress in considering legislation?

• Because most lobbyists are lawyers and can draft bills using technical legal language

• Because lobbyists have bigger research staffs than members of Congress

• Because lobbyists are policy generalists who have knowledge about a broad range of topics

• Because members of Congress are policy generalists and lobbyists are policy specialists with expert knowledge in their area

Interest groups use political action committees (PACs) to

• Provide expertise to members of Congress when they are writing legislation

• Lobby the executive bureaucracy when they are considering new rules and regulations

• Raise and spend money on election campaigns

• Generate research that can be used to influence public opinion

Which of the following is the main reason interest groups are often successful in getting legislation passed to benefit their members?

• It is easy to garner support from most members of Congress on any issue

• All members of society desire the legislation that special interest pursue

• Interest group activity represents the democratic process at work because individual interest groups often represent more than half of the population

• A narrow constituency derives the benefits from such legislation but the costs are spread broadly across the population