Interest Groups and Lobbying

What is the role of interest groups in representing individuals, corporate interests, and the public before government?

• To elect candidates under a party label

• To directly control the operations of government

• To inform the public and lawmakers about issues

• To enforce government actions

What is the primary focus of interest group activity?

• Electing candidates under a party label

• Promoting policies that benefit their interests

• Controlling the operations of government

• Crossing party lines

What is an interest group?

• A formal association of individuals or organizations that attempts to influence government decision-making

• A group of political parties working together

• A government agency responsible for policy-making

• A group of lawmakers representing specific interests

What are private interest groups focused on?

• Promoting public or collective goods

• Seeking particularized benefits that favor a single interest or narrow set of interests

• Supporting candidates sympathetic to their views

• Encouraging voting and political participation

What is a collective action problem within an interest group?

• When all members work together to keep the group funded and operating

• When members have a disincentive to take action and rely on others to do the work

• When members contribute financially to the group

• When members engage in political participation

How do interest groups try to overcome collective action problems?

• By obtaining financial support from patrons outside the group

• By offering material incentives to join the group

• By requiring membership to be part of an organization

• All of the above

What do interest groups do to influence political participation?

• Encourage voting, campaigning, and contacting lawmakers

• Develop grassroots movements from the top down

• Frame issues that benefit their causes

• Monitor government programs

What recent changes have occurred in U.S. interest groups?

• Decrease in the number of interest groups representing public interests

• Decrease in specialization and fragmentation of existing interests

• Decrease in professionalization and sophistication of lobbying techniques

• Increase in the number and type of interest groups

Why are citizens with lower socioeconomic status often not well represented by interest groups?

• They lack the free time necessary to participate in politics

• They have financial barriers to participation

• They may not believe they can make a difference

• All of the above

How do interest groups influence through elections?

• By supporting candidates who are sympathetic to their views

• By forming political action committees (PACs)

• By providing information to lawmakers

• All of the above