Interest Groups

An interest group is ___________________________.

• group of people with a common political interest

• a group of people that organizes to be heard and influence government programs and policies

• a group that handles the day-to-day operations of a political party

Interests groups are concerned with government _______________ rather than government personnel.

• policies

• insurance

• advertising

• operations

Which type of interest group has a direct economic interest in government action? This interest group is considered the most influential. An example of this type of interest group is the National Petroleum Refiners' Association.

• Business and Agricultural Groups

• Labor Groups

• Professional Association

• Public Interest Groups

• Ideological Groups

Which type of interest group lobbies on behalf of organized labor? An example of this type of interest group is the AFL-CIO and the United Mine Workers.

• Business and Agricultural Groups

• Labor Groups

• Professional Association

• Public Interest Groups

• Ideological Groups

Which type of interest group lobbies on behalf of professions? An example of this type of interest group is the Texas Medical Association and the American Bar Association.

• Business and Agricultural Groups

• Labor Groups

• Professional Association

• Public Interest Groups

• Ideological Groups

Which type of interest group lobbies for public concerns not addressed by traditional lobbies? An example of this type of interest group is the Sierra Club and Green Peace.

• Business and Agricultural Groups

• Labor Groups

• Professional Association

• Public Interest Groups

• Ideological Groups

Which type of interest group lobbies to gain support for a philosophical perspective or their values? An example of this type of interest group is the Christian Coalition.

• Business and Agricultural Groups

• Labor Groups

• Professional Association

• Public Interest Groups

• Ideological Groups

Which type of interest group represents the public sector entities such as cities and universities? These groups lobby for government resources, such as grants. An example of this type of interest group is the League of Cities and the Research Lobby.

• Business and Agricultural Groups

• Labor Groups

• Professional Association

• Public Interest Groups

• Public Sector Groups

Organizational components of interest groups include: (select all that apply)

• Leadership

• Financial Structure

• Agency (or office)

• Labor

• Members

Leadership is the __________________ of an interest group.

• central location

• key people

• decision-making structure