Interest Groups: Crash Course Government and Politics #42

What is the main function of interest groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in the American political system?

• To organize political parties

• To get candidates elected

• To influence the policies made by elected officials

• To write bills for elected officials

According to the video, what is an interest group NOT?

• A government agency

• A political action committee

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

• A political party

What is the term used to describe the combination of interest groups, congress, and the bureaucracy?

• Political triangle

• Iron triangle

• Interest network

• Policy circle

According to the text, which branch of government do interest groups exert their pressure on the most?

• The Supreme Court

• The Executive Branch

• Congress

• The Bureaucracy

What is the main argument in favor of interest groups, as mentioned in the text?

• They are not influenced by wealthy individuals

• They provide campaign funds and information

• They have the power to crowd out other voices

• They offer more opportunity for participation in politics

According to the text, what is the main argument against interest groups?

• They diminish American democracy by favoring the wealthy

• They balance each other out

• They offer more opportunity for participation in politics

• They are not influenced by wealthy individuals

What does the theory of pluralism suggest about interest groups in the context of environmental policy-making?

• They are not influenced by wealthy individuals

• They balance each other out

• They have corrupting influence over the government

• They diminish American democracy

According to the video, what is the main resource that wealthy individuals have to exert influence through interest groups?

• Campaign contributions

• Access to more information

• Ability to disseminate their views more articulately

• All of the above

If you could create an interest group, what would its interest be? What kinds of laws would it try to pass?