Reading Check Interest Groups

Private meetings, providing political information, and supplying nominations suggestions are examples of what process?

• political parties

• lobbying

• cohesiveness

• pluralism

Which of the following is not a criticism of a interest group?

• Ignoring the wider interest of society

• Producing confusing and deadlock in Congress

• Generating so much emotion that they make reasoned discussion difficult

• They have too little influence

Leaders, patrons, funding, and members makes what successful?

• political parties

• interest groups

• political efficacy

• political socialization

What is an organized group of people who share a common goal and actively attempt to influence lawmakers?

• ideology group

• interest group

• political party

• political action committee

How do interest groups promote democracy?

• They help officials get elected
• They help make the president aware of items that were not previously part of his or her agenda
• They help to communicate the views of industry to staunch the regulatory direction of congress
• They help to convey the policy views of individuals and groups to public officials

What distinguishes interest groups from political parties?

• Political parties need interest groups in order to further their policies, but interest groups don't need political parties
• Interest groups are limited to promoting specific policies relevant to their group; political parties must address all policies as they attempt to govern
• Interest groups are individual involvement; political parties are for elected officials' involvement

Paid representatives of interest groups who make direct contact with senators and representatives

• Lobbyists
• Con artist
• Salesmen
• Shady characters

Of all the activities that are employed by interest groups, the most significant one is: 

• Running candidates for office
• Providing information
• Offering campaign contributions
• Grassroots mobilization 

Interest groups use political action committees (PACs) to

• Provide expertise to members of Congress when they are writing legislation

• Lobby the executive bureaucracy when they are considering new rules and regulations

• Raise and spend money on election campaigns

• Generate research that can be used to influence public opinion

Groups which seek goals they believe will benefit all of American society

• Public-Interest groups
• Foreign-Interest groups
• Business groups
• Environmental groups