Unit 5 Review: Political Participation

What is the primary purpose of interest groups in America?

• To create laws

• To influence public policy

• To elect government officials

• To manage government budgets

Which of the following is a common method used by interest groups to influence legislation?

• Organizing protests

• Lobbying government officials

• Running for political office

• Drafting legislation

Explain how interest groups might use media campaigns to achieve their goals.

• By directly creating laws through media

• By raising public awareness and shaping public opinion

• By hiring celebrities to run for office

• By controlling media outlets

Identify one way in which interest groups differ from political parties.

• Interest groups nominate candidates for elections

• Interest groups focus on specific issues, while political parties cover a broad range of issues

• Interest groups are part of the government

• Interest groups are funded by the government

Which of the following is NOT an example of an interest group in America?

• National Education Association

• American Medical Association (AMA)

• Sierra Club

• Democratic Party

Their primary goal is to win elections.

• Interest Groups
• Political Parties
• 527 Groups
• PACs

How might a political action committee influence government?

• send a letter to a U.S. Senator’s supporters

• contribute money to a U.S. Senate campaign

• write a letter to a newspaper about a U.S. Senator

• contribute money to a charity in a U.S. Senator’s state

What impact does social media have on the effectiveness of interest group campaigns?

• It decreases the reach and influence of campaigns

• It has no significant impact on campaigns

• It increases the reach and influence of campaigns

• It only affects the campaigns of certain types of interest groups

How do interest groups influence public policy?

(Select all)

• identifying issues

• making political contributions

• lobbying government officials

• expressing opinions (letters, email, demonstrations)

• threatening elected and/or appointed officials

Which term best describes an interest group’s attempt to promote a particular person or idea?

• A) Lobbying

• B) Campaigning

• C) Propaganda

• D) Electioneering