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Interest Groups

Interest Groups. All of the following explain the proliferation of interest groups EXCEPT. America is diverse, with countless immigrants, races, and religions Because of its federal system, there are multiple points of access to government

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Interest Groups

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  1. Interest Groups

  2. All of the followingexplain the proliferation of interest groups EXCEPT • America is diverse, with countless immigrants, races, and religions • Because of its federal system, there are multiple points of access to government • Political authority is shared by several branches of government, each of which might be targeted by interest groups • Interest groups often run candidates for office to give their supporters a voice in government • Political parties are relatively weak, which helps explain the strength and number of interest groups

  3. D. Interest groups often run candidates for office to give their supporters a voice in government

  4. Throughout American history, which of the following conditions has led to an increase in interest group’s activity? • A strong economy with low inflation • The rise of professional societies, such as the American Medical Association (AMA) • Government policies that create new groups, such as veterans • Leaders who are willing to make personal sacrifices • I and II • I, II and III • II, III and IV • I, II and IV • III and IV

  5. C. II, III and IV

  6. “Free riders” occur when interest groups fight for benefits to the public as a whole, such as consumer protection. How can interest groups prevent the free-rider problem? • By ensuring that the benefits they seek will help only their members • By providing people an incentive to join their group, such as a subscription to a magazine • By limiting membership to a few carefully screened members • By lobbying members of Congress only in the district where the interest groups operate • There is no practical way for interest groups to prevent the “free-rider” problem

  7. B. By providing people an incentive to join their group, such as a subscription to a magazine

  8. Environmentalists, women and union members have worked over the years to advance their interests. What is the best description of these causes? • They are social movements that have spawned several related interest groups • They are PACs, which give money to political campaigns • They are social movements because all of them have liberal goals • They are interest groups because they lobby Congress for favorable legislation • They are social movements because they do not take strong positions and tend to support moderate policies

  9. A. They are social movements that have spawned several related interest groups

  10. Why are lobbyists useful to members of Congress in considering legislation? • Because most lobbyists are lawyers and can draft bills using technical legal language • Because lobbyists have bigger research staffs than members of Congress • Because lobbyists are policy generalists who have knowledge about a broad range of topics • Because members of Congress must listen to lobbyists in order to get electoral support • Because members of Congress are policy generalists and lobbyists are policy specialists with expert knowledge in their area

  11. E. Because members of Congress are policy generalists and lobbyists are policy specialists with expert knowledge in their area

  12. An interest group would use grassroots lobbying on all of the following issues EXCEPT • Abortion • Medicare • Social security • Complex tax legislation affecting few people • Affirmative action

  13. D. Complex tax legislation affecting few people

  14. A groups representing a corporation, labor union, or special interest that raises and spends campaign contributions on behalf of candidates or causes is a • Special interest group • Grassroots lobbying committee • Political action committee • Social movement • Tax-exempt entity

  15. C. Political action committee

  16. The table above supports which of the following conclusions? • Most PAC money goes to open seats • More PAC money is spent on Senate races than on races on the House of Representatives • Corporate PACs give twice as much money to Republicans in the House than to Democrats • Labor PACs spend more money on challengers than on incumbents in the Senate • Independent candidates rarely receive PAC money

  17. D. Labor PACs spend more money on challengers than on incumbents in the Senate

  18. Which of the following are sources of funding for interest groups? • Foundation grants • Federal grants • Federal contracts • Direct-mail solicitations • I, II and III • I and II • II, III and IV • I and III • I, II, III and IV

  19. E. I, II, III and IV

  20. Which of the following is a concern about the influence of lobbyists on government? • Many lobbyists are former federal officials who gave up their positions in government to work for interest groups • Many lobbyists are attorneys who have undue influence because of their legal expertise • Many lobbyists also work as congressional staff members • Many members of Congress are former lobbyists who still have strong connections with interest groups • Because lobbyists do not have to register with the government, it is difficult to control their activities

  21. A. Many lobbyists are former federal officials who gave up their positions in government to work for interest groups

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