Interest Groups Quiz

What is the definition of an interest group?

• A group of people who work for political parties

• A group of individuals that compete in elections

• A group of individuals that make policy-related appeals to government

• A group of people who put money in banks and gain interest

What are the two main things that interest groups do when they interact with the government?

• Mobilize voters and pressure elected officials

• Provide campaign contributions and write laws

• Shape policies and gather information

• Advise the president and lobby bureaucratic agencies

Which branch of government do interest groups primarily focus on?

• Executive Branch

• Bureaucracy

• Congress

• Supreme Court

Why can interest groups exert pressure on bureaucratic agencies?

• Bureaucracies are made up of experts who are easily influenced

• Interest groups have more money than bureaucratic agencies

• Interest groups have the power to write regulations

• Bureaucratic agencies rely on interest groups for information

What is the role of political parties in comparison to interest groups?

• Political parties are a type of interest group

• Political parties exist to influence policies, while interest groups exist to get candidates elected

• Political parties are more powerful than interest groups

• Political parties and interest groups have the same goals and methods

Why do some argue that interest groups have too much influence in American democracy?

• Interest groups represent the interests of the wealthy and crowd out other voices

• Interest groups are not effective in influencing policy

• Interest groups only focus on elections and not policy making

• Interest groups are not allowed to participate in politics

What is the main argument in favor of interest groups according to pluralism?

• Interest groups are necessary for the functioning of democracy

• Interest groups are more powerful than political parties

• Interest groups balance each other out and result in thoughtful compromise

• Interest groups provide more opportunity for participation in politics

Why are wealthy interest groups more influential than others?

• Wealthy interest groups have more money to give to politicians

• Wealthy interest groups have more educated members

• Wealthy interest groups have more time to devote to political participation

• Wealthy interest groups have more members

What evidence supports the argument that Congress is more likely to enact laws that favor the wealthy?

• Studies show that Congress is more responsive to the interests of the wealthy

• The number of PACs representing wealthy interests has increased

• Poor people are not allowed to participate in politics

• Congress only takes into account the interests of the wealthy

What is the main function of interest groups in the American political system?

• To get candidates elected

• To write laws and regulations

• To provide campaign contributions

• To influence policy making