Question 1

Given their significant financial resources, __________ groups are widely presumed to have an advantage over other types of interest groups in their efforts to influence government.

Accepted Answer

business o...

Question 2

How does lobbying Congress differ from lobbying the judicial branch?

Accepted Answer

A)   Lobbyists often meet personally with members of Congress, whereas they rarely lobby directly with judges.
B)   Lobbying the courts requires a law degree, whereas lobbying Congress does not.
C)   Courts seldom take into account lobbying efforts by interest groups, whereas Congress is heavily influenced by lobbying.
D)   Lobbying the judicial branch is more time-consuming than lobbying Congress.
E)   Lobbying the judicial branch is more heavily regulated than lobbying Congress.

Question 3

According to Madison's Federalist No. 10, a(n)  __________ is a group of individuals concerned more with their self-interest than with the rights of individuals outside the group or with the needs of society as a whole.

Accepted Answer

A)   faction
B)   political party
C)   single-issue organization
D)   oligarchy
E)   special interest group

Question 4

Which of the following factors helps to explain why there are so many interest groups in the United States?

Accepted Answer

A)   The United States is a very diverse society.
B)   Political parties in the United States are weak.
C)   There are virtually no restrictions on interest groups' lobbying activities.
D)   There are virtually no restrictions on campaign contributions by interest groups.
E)   The Constitution requires the formation of interest groups.

Question 5

Tax rates for the wealthiest Americans, particularly the super-wealthy, have dropped dramatically over the past three and a half decades, regardless of whether Republicans or Democrats are in control in Washington. What does this suggest?

Accepted Answer

A)   Both Democrats and Republicans are in favor of lowering taxes for the wealthy.
B)   Bribery is rampant in Washington.
C)   The disturbance theory has influenced tax brackets over the past thirty years, as predicted.
D)   The political influence of wealthy Americans has been fairly constant no matter which party has headed the government.
E)   Revolving doors have not been effected by lobbyist reform legislation.

Question 6

A(n)  __________ refers to an organization that seeks to influence public policy.

Accepted Answer

A)   corporation
B)   interest group
C)   institute
D)   faction
E)   administration

Question 7

Distinguish between public interest groups and private groups and provide examples of each.

Accepted Answer

An ideal response will:
1. Describe publ...

Question 8

Which of the following, if true, would indicate that grassroots/outside lobbying is an ineffective political tactic?

Accepted Answer

A)   Policy makers primarily work to satisfy the demands of their wealthiest campaign contributors. As a result, they rarely respond to broader public opinion.
B)   In congressional elections, incumbent candidates win at a much higher rate than challengers.
C)   The number of interest groups with lobbyists in Washington, D.C., has increased over the past several decades.
D)   The mass media tend to cover only the most dramatic and unusual news stories.
E)   Most members of Congress have rejected campaign contributions from (political action committees)  PACs.

Question 9

Interest groups are important subjects of study in American politics because __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   they are always successful in getting their demands met by government
B)   they provide a venue for citizens to participate in government
C)   most lobbyists eventually serve in Congress
D)   they determine what issues get covered in the media
E)   they determine who runs for elected office

Question 10

One function of __________ is to provide legislators with information about an interest group's position on a specific bill or issue.

Accepted Answer

The answer of One function of __________ is to provide...

Question 11

Which of the following raise money from individuals and then distribute it in the form of contributions to political candidates?

Accepted Answer

A)   527 organizations
B)   coordinating committees
C)   501(c) 3 organizations
D)   political action committees
E)   party committees

Question 12

Explain how the revolving door works and what kind of effect it has on politics in Washington.

Accepted Answer

An ideal response will:
1. Discuss how t...

Question 13

What types of organizations engage in grassroots/outside lobbying, and why do they do so? Why is grassroots lobbying effective?

Accepted Answer

An ideal response will:
1. Note that all...

Question 14

How do lobbyists typically seek to influence members of Congress?

Accepted Answer

A)   by introducing bills
B)   by filing amicus curiae briefs
C)   by organizing protests and demonstrations on Capitol Hill
D)   by providing technical information on policy issues
E)   by offering them money to vote a particular way

Question 15

Define and describe the three main elements of "the inside game" of interest group activity.

Accepted Answer

An ideal response will:
1. Define the in...

Question 16

Consider the "Can Government Do Anything Well?" box. Why hasn't the federal minimum wage kept pace with inflation?

Accepted Answer

A)   Public support for the minimum wage has declined since the 1960s.
B)   Organized labor has declined since the 1960s.
C)   Both the Democratic and Republican Parties oppose the minimum wage.
D)   Most state minimum wages have increased faster than inflation.
E)   The Chamber of Commerce has declined since the 1960s.

Question 17

How do interest groups evaluate members of Congress? Why is this information valuable?

Accepted Answer

An ideal response will:
1. Describe how ...

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of grassroots/outside lobbying?

Accepted Answer

A)   an e-mail encouraging members to contact their senators and representatives in Congress
B)   an organization asking members for donations to support the group's work
C)   a meeting held with a legislator in the legislator's home district
D)   a group submitting written testimony in a congressional hearing
E)   a group forming a coalition with another group that has similar policy goals

Question 19

Consider the "Mapping American Politics" box about fuel consumption. Given the high level of fuel consumption in the United States and concerns about climate change and dependence on foreign oil, does the lobbying power of the automobile and energy industries need to be curtailed?

Accepted Answer

An ideal response will:
1. Note that the...

Question 20

Define and describe the four main elements of "the outside game" of interest group activity.

Accepted Answer

An ideal response will:
1. Define the ou...

Exam 7: Interest Groups and Business Organizations

Distinguish between public interest groups and private groups and provide examples of each.

Correct AnswerverifiedAn ideal response will:1. Describe publ...View AnswerShow Answer

Which of the following is an example of grassroots/outside lobbying?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Consider the "Can Government Do Anything Well?" box. Why hasn't the federal minimum wage kept pace with inflation?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Consider the "Mapping American Politics" box about fuel consumption. Given the high level of fuel consumption in the United States and concerns about climate change and dependence on foreign oil, does the lobbying power of the automobile and energy industries need to be curtailed?

Correct AnswerverifiedAn ideal response will:1. Note that the...View AnswerShow Answer

What types of organizations engage in grassroots/outside lobbying, and why do they do so? Why is grassroots lobbying effective?

Correct AnswerverifiedAn ideal response will:1. Note that all...View AnswerShow Answer

Which of the following raise money from individuals and then distribute it in the form of contributions to political candidates?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

One function of __________ is to provide legislators with information about an interest group's position on a specific bill or issue.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Define and describe the three main elements of "the inside game" of interest group activity.

Correct AnswerverifiedAn ideal response will:1. Define the in...View AnswerShow Answer

A(n) __________ refers to an organization that seeks to influence public policy.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

How do lobbyists typically seek to influence members of Congress?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

How do interest groups evaluate members of Congress? Why is this information valuable?

Correct AnswerverifiedAn ideal response will:1. Describe how ...View AnswerShow Answer

Explain how the revolving door works and what kind of effect it has on politics in Washington.

Correct AnswerverifiedAn ideal response will:1. Discuss how t...View AnswerShow Answer

Define and describe the four main elements of "the outside game" of interest group activity.

Correct AnswerverifiedAn ideal response will:1. Define the ou...View AnswerShow Answer

Which of the following factors helps to explain why there are so many interest groups in the United States?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

How does lobbying Congress differ from lobbying the judicial branch?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

According to Madison's Federalist No. 10, a(n) __________ is a group of individuals concerned more with their self-interest than with the rights of individuals outside the group or with the needs of society as a whole.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Tax rates for the wealthiest Americans, particularly the super-wealthy, have dropped dramatically over the past three and a half decades, regardless of whether Republicans or Democrats are in control in Washington. What does this suggest?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following, if true, would indicate that grassroots/outside lobbying is an ineffective political tactic?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Given their significant financial resources, __________ groups are widely presumed to have an advantage over other types of interest groups in their efforts to influence government.

Correct Answerverifiedbusiness o...View AnswerShow Answer

Interest groups are important subjects of study in American politics because __________.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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business o...
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