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WorksheetsInterest Groups
Total questions: 10
Worksheet time: 5mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
How does the American constitutional system encourage interest group participation?
a)
Because there are so many state and federal officials and political canidates, there are many opportunities for interest groups to influence the government
b)
Interest groups have little power due to their lack of influence on the public
c)
Only one branch of government, Congress provides opportunities for interest groups to influence government
2.
How do interest groups promote democracy?
a)
They help officials get elected
b)
They help make the president aware of items that were not previously part of his or her agenda
c)
They help to communicate the views of industry to staunch the regulatory direction of congress
d)
They help to convey the policy views of individuals and groups to public officials
3.
Why might a group that lobbies for an end to discrimination on the basis of gender have a free-rider problem?
a)
Many people don't know they have to pay dues to the group
b)
So many people benefit from it that most members have little incentive to take active roles themselves
c)
Other people try to take credit for the group's accomplishment
4.
Which of the following theories offers the most positive interpretation of the effect of interest groups on American Democracy?
a)
elite theory
b)
free market theory
c)
pluralism
d)
hyperpluralism
5.
Which of the following best characterizes James Madison's views of how government should deal with competing interests?
a)
He believed American society would be best served by a relatively small number of powerful groups
b)
He believed that interest groups were dangerous because the common man was not qualified to speak for the public interest
c)
He was not worried about interest groups and factions
6.
According to critics of pluarlism, which of the following groups is the most likely to take advantage of the American political system?
a)
the poor
b)
minorities
c)
the rich
d)
immigrants
7.
Why might some large lobbying groups not register as lobbyists?
a)
It is not a law that they register
b)
Lobbying is not their principal activity
c)
Their clients ask them not to register
d)
They wish to avoid certain tax regulations
8.
What distinguishes interest groups from political parties?
a)
Political parties need interest groups in order to further their policies, but interest groups don't need political parties
b)
Interest groups are limited to promoting specific policies relevant to their group; political parties must address all policies as they attempt to govern
c)
Interest groups are individual involvement; political parties are for elected officials' involvement
9.
The large number and variety of interest groups in the United States generates tension between______________ and ______________.
a)
a greater sense of unity and political division
b)
left and right
c)
self-interest and public good
d)
freedom and anarchy
10.
What is organized labor's long range problem in American politics?
a)
The shrinking number of members in private sector jobs
b)
its lack of funds
c)
its focus on bread and butter issues
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