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Chapter 07

Interest Groups

Multiple Choice Questions

1. (p. 218) What phrase did Alexis de Tocqueville coin to describe Americans in his 1835 work Democracy in America?

A. "a nation of warriors"

B. "a nation of workers"

C. "a nation of shopkeepers"

D. "a nation of joiners"

E. "a nation of dreamers"

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: The Value of Interest Groups

2. (p. 218) What percentage of Americans belong to voluntary groups or associations?

A. 40 percent

B. 50 percent

C. 60 percent

D. 70 percent

E. 80 percent

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Text Answer Hint: The Value of Interest Groups

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3. (p. 218) Relationships that improve our individual lives by giving us social connections to solve common problems are forms of

A. intellectual capital.

B. social capital.

C. leveraged networks.

D. associative relationships.

E. empowering networks.

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: The Value of Interest Groups

4. (p. 219) In what way do interest groups succeed in channeling civic participation?

A. They offer ways for people to act collectively.

B. They involve individuals more actively in politics.

C. They assist in engaging communities in political issues.

D. They offer an alternative participatory option over the two-party system.

E. All these answers are correct.

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: The Value of Interest Groups

5. (p. 220) All of the following are tenets of pluralist theory EXCEPT that

A. it is important for democracy to have a large, diverse set of interest groups.

B. policy-making is a competition among diverse interest groups.

C. policy-making is an elite business, staffed by the powerful and highly educated.

D. interest groups provide a structure for political participation.

E. interest groups' varying assets tend to counterbalance one another.

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: The Value of Interest Groups

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6. (p. 220) As opposed to pluralist theory, elite theory posits that

A. those in power should raise and spend money to influence the outcome of elections.

B. change is favorable and elite power must be used to protect the economic interests of the public at large.

C. interest groups should compete to ensure representation of their interests in policy.

D. there is no mobility in the power structure, and that accessibility is an issue.

E. wealthy, educated individuals control the direction of major policy.

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: The Value of Interest Groups

7. (p. 220) _________ theory posits that political power is dominated by the wealthy, who use that power for the benefit of themselves.

A. Pluralist

B. Libertarian

C. Democratic

D. Elite

E. None of these answers is correct

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: The Value of Interest Groups

8. (p. 220) In regards to pluralist theory and elite theory, most political scientists think that

A. pluralist theory is correct and elite theory is wrong.

B. elite theory is correct and pluralist theory is wrong.

C. both pluralist theory and elite theory are wrong.

D. both pluralist theory and elite theory are partially correct.

E. neither theory has any relevance anymore.

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Text Answer Hint: The Value of Interest Groups

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9. (p. 221) Most Americans have a ________ impression of interest groups.

A. very positive

B. somewhat positive

C. neutral

D. somewhat negative

E. generally negative

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: The Value of Interest Groups

10. (p. 221) All of the following are positive aspects of interest groups' political activity

A. performing electoral functions.

B. making money an issue in politics.

C. educating the public about policy issues.

D. providing average citizens with access to activism.

E. mobilizing citizens to participate in civic affairs.

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: The Value of Interest Groups

11. (p. 222) Which of the following statements about interest groups and their political action committees (PACs) is most accurate?

A. Money from PACs makes campaigns more engaging.

B. Participation of PACs in a campaign tend to make it more even and less expensive.

C. Interest groups tend to strengthen the advantages of incumbency.

D. Interest group activity makes the electoral process more egalitarian.

E. Corporate and labor interest groups are legally limited in their ability to spend money on political ads in favor of or against political candidates.

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Text Answer Hint: The Value of Interest Groups

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12. (p. 222) Which social group is likely to be overrepresented in interest groups?

A. the wealthy

B. whites

C. the upper-middle class

D. the educated

E. All these groups are likely to be overrepresented in interest groups.

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: The Value of Interest Groups

13. (p. 222) Which demographic characteristics are the best predictors of interest group membership?

A. color and education

B. income and gender

C. race and social class

D. social class and income

E. income and education

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Who Joins Interest Groups, and Why?

14. (p. 223) According to research presented in the text, people with this education level had the highest participation rates in online groups:

A. less than high school.

B. high school grad.

C. some college.

D. college grad.

E. Participation rates were the same for all education levels.

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Who Joins Interest Groups, and Why?

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Chapter 07 - Interest Groups

15. (p. 223) Which of the following occupations are primarily represented by professional organizations?

A. doctors and lawyers

B. teachers and tradespeople

C. executives in business and industry

D. federal and state employees

E. truck and taxi drivers

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Difficulty: 2

Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Who Joins Interest Groups, and Why?

16. (p. 223) Which of the following occupations are represented by labor unions?

A. doctors and lawyers

B. teachers and tradespeople

C. executives in business and industry

D. federal and state officials

E. soldiers and security personnel

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Who Joins Interest Groups, and Why?

17. (p. 223) Which of the following occupations are represented by industry-specific organizations?

A. nurses and paralegals

B. teachers and tradespeople

C. executives in business and industry

D. federal and state officials

E. soldiers and security personnel

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Who Joins Interest Groups, and Why?

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18. (p. 223) For a range of reasons, children from working-class families are ________ to have been socialized to participate in interest groups.

A. much more likely

B. more likely

C. neither more nor less likely

D. less likely

E. much less likely

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Who Joins Interest Groups, and Why?

19. (p. 224) One recent study indicated that college students are ________ to join a politically motivated interest group than their peers who do not attend college.

A. more than twice as likely

B. more likely

C. neither more nor less likely

D. less likely

E. less than half as likely

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Who Joins Interest Groups, and Why?

20. (p. 224) Which type of incentives for joining interest groups is closely linked to Robert Putnam's idea of social capital?

A. purposive incentives

B. solidary incentives

C. economic incentives

D. ethical incentives

E. moral incentives

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Who Joins Interest Groups, and Why?

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Chapter 07 - Interest Groups

21. (p. 224) Members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are motivated primarily by

A. purposive incentives.

B. solidary incentives.

C. economic incentives.

D. ethical incentives.

E. moral incentives.

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Who Joins Interest Groups, and Why?

22. (p. 224) Belief in a group's cause is an example of which type of incentive?

A. purposive incentive

B. solidary incentive

C. economic incentive

D. ethical incentive

E. moral incentive

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Who Joins Interest Groups, and Why?

23. (p. 225) Many people over 50 join the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) in order to enjoy the discounts provided to its members. This is an example of which type of incentive?

A. purposive incentive

B. solidary incentive

C. economic incentive

D. ethical incentive

E. moral incentive

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Text Answer Hint: Who Joins Interest Groups, and Why?

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24. (p. 225) When an interest group representing teachers lobbies a state legislature for an increase in retirement benefits, it is seeking to provide its members with

A. purposive benefits.

B. solidary benefits.

C. economic benefits.

D. ethical benefits.

E. moral benefits.

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Who Joins Interest Groups, and Why?

25. (p. 226-227) Which factor influences and decides an interest group's political effectiveness?

A. membership size

B. cohesion

C. intensity

D. demographics

E. All these factors influence and decide an interest group's political effectiveness.

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: How Interest Groups Succeed

26. (p. 227) The Occupy Movement that protested income inequality reached a crescendo of activism in 2011, but activity has quieted significantly since that time. This is an example of what facet of interest group membership?

A. intensity

B. demographics

C. financing

D. membership size

E. leadership

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Text Answer Hint: How Interest Groups Succeed

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Chapter 07 - Interest Groups

27. (p. 227) Separate entities formed by interest groups whose specific goal is to raise and spend money to influence election outcomes are known as

A. political action committees.

B. electoral committees.

C. booster clubs.

D. caucuses.

E. roundtables.

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: How Interest Groups Succeed

28. (p. 227) In elections, PAC funding shapes electoral outcomes by tending to favor which type of candidate?

A. incumbents

B. mostly incumbents, but some challengers

C. equal support for incumbents and challengers

D. mostly challengers, but some incumbents

E. challengers

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: How Interest Groups Succeed

29. (p. 227) Which of the following are key factors in an interest groups' organizational environment?

A. financing and opposition

B. leadership and opposition

C. membership and resources

D. resources and leadership

E. demographics and intensity

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Text Answer Hint: How Interest Groups Succeed

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30. (p. 228) The U.S. Chamber of Commerce represents a collective group of large and small businesses; it is an example of what type of interest group?

A. labor interest group

B. consumer interest group

C. umbrella organization

D. political action committee

E. solidary organization

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Text Answer Hint: Types of Interest Groups

31. (p. 229) Which of the following best describes union membership in the United States since the 1960s?

A. It has remained steady.

B. It has declined dramatically.

C. It has increased dramatically.

D. It has moderately declined.

E. It has moderately increased.

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Text Answer Hint: Types of Interest Groups

32. (p. 229) In what decade was union membership the HIGHEST?

A. 1960s

B. 1970s

C. 1980s

D. 1990s

E. 2000s

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Text Answer Hint: Types of Interest Groups

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33. (p. 229) In what decade was union membership the LOWEST?

A. 1960s

B. 1970s

C. 1980s

D. 1990s

E. 2000s

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Text Answer Hint: Types of Interest Groups

34. (p. 229) Of all the different types of U.S. interest groups, which of the following tends to have the most disproportionate amount of influence?

A. labor unions

B. corporate and business interests

C. agricultural interest groups

D. trade and professional interests

E. environmental interest groups

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Types of Interest Groups

35. (p. 229) All of these are examples of public interest groups EXCEPT

A. the National Taxpayers Union.

B. the AFL-CIO.

C. the Sierra Club.

D. Common Cause.

E. Public Citizen.

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Text Answer Hint: Types of Interest Groups

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Chapter 07 - Interest Groups

36. (p. 230) Which of the following agricultural commodities had the HIGHEST federal subsidies in 2012?

A. tobacco

B. cotton

C. corn

D. cattle

E. dairy

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Text Answer Hint: Types of Interest Groups

37. (p. 230) The benefits of interest group activity are most often not limited to the group's membership, but rather result in

A. collective goods.

B. the rational choice effect.

C. the umbrella problem.

D. consumer interests.

E. the limited interest effect.

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Text Answer Hint: Types of Interest Groups

38. (p. 230) The problem of someone deriving a benefit from the actions of others is known as the

A. collective good distribution.

B. free rider problem.

C. umbrella problem.

D. collective good effect.

E. limited interest effect.

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Text Answer Hint: Types of Interest Groups

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Chapter 07 - Interest Groups

39. (p. 230) The theory that it does not make economic sense for someone to participate in collective action when they can receive a benefit without participating is known as

A. rational choice theory.

B. elite theory.

C. a purposive incentive.

D. a solidary incentive.

E. pluralist theory.

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Types of Interest Groups

40. (p. 231) Ralph Nader is best known for his involvement with ________ interest groups.

A. environmental

B. professional

C. religious

D. consumer

E. agricultural

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Types of Interest Groups

41. (p. 231) Today, religious interests are among the most influential interest groups in U.S. politics, but for a long time organized religious interests were uninvolved in politics. Why?

A. They were prevented from doing so by Supreme Court jurisprudence.

B. They were afraid of losing their tax-exempt status.

C. They were virtually ignored by the two major parties.

D. They were afraid of losing their First Amendment freedoms.

E. They were discouraged from doing so by their congregations.

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Types of Interest Groups

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42. (p. 231) Which religious interest organization was instrumental in Ronald Reagan's 1980 election to the presidency?

A. Common Cause

B. the Christian Coalition

C. the Moral Majority

D. Pax Christi USA

E. B'nai Brith

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Types of Interest Groups

43. (p. 231) Which of the following BEST describes the emphasis of the Christian Coalition's platform?

A. separation of church and state

B. protection of civil liberties

C. protection of business interests

D. interpretation of the Constitution as a "living" document

E. promotion of pro-family values

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Types of Interest Groups

44. (p. 232) Which group is recognized as the national Catholic peace movement?

A. Common Cause

B. the Christian Coalition

C. the Moral Majority

D. Pax Christi USA

E. B'nai Brith

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Types of Interest Groups

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45. (p. 232) For what reason is a foreign interest MOST likely to lobby the U.S. government?

A. labor policies

B. goodwill

C. immigration policies

D. human rights policies

E. trade policies

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Types of Interest Groups

46. (p. 232) Who can legally contribute to federal political action committees?

A. U.S. citizens only

B. U.S. citizens who vote in federal elections only

C. U.S. citizens and legal immigrants only

D. U.S. citizens and all immigrants, legal and illegal

E. U.S. citizens, all immigrants, and foreigners

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Types of Interest Groups

47. (p. 233) President Ulysses S. Grant coined which of the following terms after walking through the Willard Hotel and commenting on the presence of people who represented various interests and were waiting to speak to members of Congress?

A. buttonholing

B. lobbyist

C. issue network

D. iron triangle

E. public outreach

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Interest Group Strategies

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48. (p. 233) Which interest group spent the most money on lobbying in 2013?

A. American Federation of Teachers

B. Sierra Club

C. AT&T

D. American Medical Association

E. U.S. Chamber of Commerce

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Interest Group Strategies

49. (p. 233) Which of the following is/are employed by special interest representatives to gain access to policymakers?

A. face-to-face meetings

B. "buttonholing" in the Capitol

C. telephone calls

D. receptions and special events

E. All these answers are correct.

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Interest Group Strategies

50. (p. 233) When interest groups employ former members of government as lobbyists, they are creating

A. an iron triangle.

B. an issue network.

C. a mutually beneficial network.

D. a lobbying network.

E. a direct action network.

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Interest Group Strategies

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51. (p. 233) The interaction of mutual interests involving interest groups, government officials, and members of Congress is known as the

A. iron triangle.

B. issue network.

C. mutually beneficial network.

D. lobbying network.

E. direct action network.

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Interest Group Strategies

52. (p. 233) In the iron triangle, which of the following is a benefit Congress derives from its relationship with interest groups?

A. the enactment of friendly legislation

B. electoral support

C. favorable enforcement

D. supportive oversight

E. special favors

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Interest Group Strategies

53. (p. 234) Which of the following Supreme Court decisions drastically altered the political landscape by allowing corporate and union election financing?

A. Federal Election Commission v. Wisconsin Right to Life

B. McConnell v. Federal Election Commission

C. SpeechNow.org v. Federal Election Commission

D. Federal Election Commission v. Jones

E. Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

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Text Answer Hint: Interest Group Strategies

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Chapter 07 - Interest Groups

54. (p. 234) In order to attract greater attention, which group is often used by interest groups to testify before Congress as a means of raising public awareness?

A. academics

B. experts

C. policy critics

D. celebrities

E. corporate executives

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Interest Group Strategies

55. (p. 234-235) All of the following are examples of indirect strategies used by interest groups to advance their cause EXCEPT

A. buttonholing.

B. use of citizen grassroots lobbyists.

C. electioneering.

D. protests and civil disobedience.

E. endorsements and ratings.

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Interest Group Strategies

56. (p. 235) The practice of using public outreach to build favorable public opinion of an organization or company is known as

A. issue networking.

B. environmental triangulation.

C. climate control.

D. electioneering.

E. reputation management.

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Text Answer Hint: Interest Group Strategies

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Chapter 07 - Interest Groups

57. (p. 235) When interest groups engage in indirect strategies to support candidates supportive of their agendas, it is known as

A. issue networking.

B. environmental triangulation.

C. climate control.

D. electioneering.

E. reputation management.

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Interest Group Strategies

58. (p. 235) Who uses interest group ratings to measure a candidate's popularity or legislative performance?

A. voters

B. the media

C. candidates themselves

D. electoral officials

E. voters, the media, and candidates themselves

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Interest Group Strategies

59. (p. 235) Political Action Committees give a large majority of their contributions to

A. challengers in elections where there is an incumbent.

B. Republican candidates in elections where there is no incumbent.

C. Democratic candidates in elections where there is no incumbent.

D. incumbents of both parties.

E. None of these answers is correct.

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Critical Thinking: Remember

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Interest Group Strategies

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Chapter 07 - Interest Groups

60. (p. 238) Super PACs first became an important factor in national elections in A. 1972.

B. 1980.

C. 1988.

D. 2000.

E. 2012.

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Teaching Emphasis: Interest Groups

Text Answer Hint: Interest Groups, Politics, and Money: The Influence of Political Action Committees

Essay Questions

61. Define social capital and explain its relationship to the benefits generated by participation in interest groups.

Social capital was a term coined by the political scientist Robert Putnam; it refers to the relationships that improve our lives by giving us social connections with which to solve common problems. This social capital, of which membership in interest groups is an example, improves individual lives in concrete ways, and encourages communication and interaction with each other and the government.

62. Identify at least two positive effects of interest groups on the policy-making process.

Interest groups perform a number of positive functions in relation to policy making. They educate the public about policy issues, and they provide the average citizen with agency, helping to mobilize and stimulate wider civic and public involvement. They also provide information and expertise to policy makers, and can help to protect the common good as an executor of checks and balances.

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63. Compare and contrast pluralist and elite theories of interest group formation.

While both these theories seek to explain patterns of interest group behavior, they do so from different perspectives. Scholars of pluralist theory emphasize that interest groups are essential to a democracy, because they ensure the representation of individual interests even if some individuals do not participate. Elite theorists dispute these claims, and argue that an elite class dominates political activity, including interest groups. In other words, the system is far less pluralistic than it appears. Both theories have some basis in fact.

64. Identify at least two negative effects of interest groups on policy formation.

Because of the role they play in infusing money into the political process, interest groups are often criticized as corrupting the policy-making process. Many recent presidents have commented on this reality, and have called for limits on financial contributions to candidates and incumbents. This influx of money also makes campaigns expensive and one-sided, and strengthens incumbents at the expense of challengers.

65. Outline the relationship between interest-group participation and social class.

Although differentiating between patterns of interest-group participation based on either income or social class can be difficult, most data suggests that working-class people are generally less likely to have been politically socialized than those from more privileged groups. Extenuating factors that account for this include access to childcare and disposable income, and access to computers and the Internet.

66. Explain the key features and functions of PACs (political action committees).

Political action committees are groups that raise and spend money to influence electoral outcomes. Often connected to other interest groups, or to political campaigns and candidates, PACs shape the composition of government, usually by favoring incumbents who are likely to succeed.

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67. Identify at least two public interest groups and explain their functions and issues.

Public interest groups are generally concerned with a broad range of issues that affect the populace at large. These include social or economic issues such as health care or Social Security, as well as environmental causes such as clean air and water. Examples of public interest groups include the National Taxpayers Union, Common Cause, and the Sierra Club.

68. Discuss lobbying, and identify tactics used by lobbyists to communicate with and influence policy makers.

Interest groups hire professionals to lobby, or communicate directly with and attempt to influence, policy makers on the interest groups' behalf. Lobbyists are often lawyers, and their job is to cultivate ongoing relationships with federal policymakers. They do their work through face-to-face meetings, telephone calls, "buttonholing" members of Congress as they walk throughout the Capitol building, and hosting special events and functions.

69. Define and explain the effects of the formation of iron triangles.

When interest groups form good relationships with policy makers, they create an issue network. One particularly effective issue network is known as an iron triangle, which involves a trio of interactions among mutual interests. These are comprised of members of Congress, executive departments and agencies, and organized interest groups. The iron triangles often seek policy outcomes that are mutually beneficial, and also make it difficult for outside interests to penetrate them.

70. Explain why interest groups use celebrities to publicly communicate their message.

Interest groups are interested in communicating their message to the widest possible audience in order to build larger support for their cause. To encourage this, they often hire celebrities as "experts" or "spokespeople," knowing that their notoriety will attract much greater public attention than ordinary policy experts.

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