Question 1

What action did the Texas legislature take following the Sharpstown Bank scandal?

Accepted Answer

A)  Banned lobbyists from the Capitol building in Austin 
B)  Prevented lobbyists from giving cash payments to lawmakers 
C)  Prohibited former Texas legislators from becoming lobbyists for Texas interest groups 
D)  Changed laws allowing gifts to exchange hands between state Senate and House members 
E)  Prohibited candidates for Speaker from giving anything of value to supporters in the House 
A)  Banned lobbyists from the Capitol building in Austin 
B)  Prevented lobbyists from giving cash payments to lawmakers 
C)  Prohibited former Texas legislators from becoming lobbyists for Texas interest groups 
D)  Changed laws allowing gifts to exchange hands between state Senate and House members 
E)  Prohibited candidates for Speaker from giving anything of value to supporters in the House

Question 2

Which organization would most likely mount a vigorous campaign to oppose a reduction in the staffing levels of the Texas Rehabilitation Commission?

Accepted Answer

A)  Christian Coalition 
B)  Texas Public Employees Association 
C)  Texas Association of Business 
D)  AFL-CIO 
E)  National Rifle Association 
A)  Christian Coalition 
B)  Texas Public Employees Association 
C)  Texas Association of Business 
D)  AFL-CIO 
E)  National Rifle Association

Question 3

Distinguish between a professional interest group and a public employee interest group.In what ways are their goals and membership different? Which of the two would be more likely to attract public school teachers as members?

Accepted Answer

A professional interest group is an orga

Question 4

Explain the difference between the legal gifts and favors that a lobbyist may provide and illegal bribery.

Accepted Answer

The difference between legal gifts and f

Question 5

Texas legislators would be unlikely to identify which type of interest group as a "power group"?

Accepted Answer

A)  Public interest groups advocating campaign finance reform 
B)  An interest group representing oil and gas companies 
C)  A professional association representing physicians 
D)  A trade association representing the tobacco industry 
E)  A teacher organization such as the Texas American Federation of Teachers 
A)  Public interest groups advocating campaign finance reform 
B)  An interest group representing oil and gas companies 
C)  A professional association representing physicians 
D)  A trade association representing the tobacco industry 
E)  A teacher organization such as the Texas American Federation of Teachers

Question 6

Explain why interest groups in Texas have proliferated over the last few decades.What are the potential positive and negative aspects of this proliferation?

Accepted Answer

Interest groups in Texas have proliferat

Question 7

How do interest groups try to influence public policy?

Accepted Answer

A)  By lobbying only one specific political party 
B)  By working only with a political party's leaders 
C)  By lobbying government officials regardless of party affiliation 
D)  By ignoring key decision makers in the political process 
E)  By ignoring politicians entirely and taking their case to the people 
A)  By lobbying only one specific political party 
B)  By working only with a political party's leaders 
C)  By lobbying government officials regardless of party affiliation 
D)  By ignoring key decision makers in the political process 
E)  By ignoring politicians entirely and taking their case to the people

Question 8

Interest groups in Texas must operate under the laws of the state.What are the state regulations regarding interest groups,and how are they enforced? Comment on the perceived effectiveness of these regulations in Texas.

Accepted Answer

Interest groups in Texas are subject to

Question 9

What is the principal purpose of political party activity?

Accepted Answer

A)  To achieve changes through the constitutional amendment process 
B)  To gain control of government by winning elections and thus achieve party goals 
C)  To influence public officials who are already in office to respond to the party's goals 
D)  To obtain favorable treatment for party members in governmental activities 
E)  To find suitable candidates to run for political office on the party's behalf 
A)  To achieve changes through the constitutional amendment process 
B)  To gain control of government by winning elections and thus achieve party goals 
C)  To influence public officials who are already in office to respond to the party's goals 
D)  To obtain favorable treatment for party members in governmental activities 
E)  To find suitable candidates to run for political office on the party's behalf

Question 10

Under the provisions of legislation approved by the Texas Ethics Commission,which interest group activity is still legal in the state of Texas?

Accepted Answer

A)  Lobbyists providing more than $500 in food and drink annually for a lawmaker 
B)  Campaign contributions from political action committees 
C)  Honoraria in recognition of professional services 
D)  Lobby-paid pleasure trips for elected officials 
E)  Lobbyists giving an official a contribution in the Capitol building itself 
A)  Lobbyists providing more than $500 in food and drink annually for a lawmaker 
B)  Campaign contributions from political action committees 
C)  Honoraria in recognition of professional services 
D)  Lobby-paid pleasure trips for elected officials 
E)  Lobbyists giving an official a contribution in the Capitol building itself

Question 11

Which of the following generalizations regarding interest group leadership is correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  Interest group decisions are usually made by an active minority of the membership. 
B)  Leadership roles in interest groups are widely shared among many active members. 
C)  Elected officials are usually the leaders of interest groups. 
D)  Most interest group members can afford to devote significant time to interest group activities. 
E)  Members of most interest groups must pay additional fees in order to rise to leadership positions. 
A)  Interest group decisions are usually made by an active minority of the membership. 
B)  Leadership roles in interest groups are widely shared among many active members. 
C)  Elected officials are usually the leaders of interest groups. 
D)  Most interest group members can afford to devote significant time to interest group activities. 
E)  Members of most interest groups must pay additional fees in order to rise to leadership positions.

Question 12

How may corporations in Texas legally contribute money to a political candidate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Through a political action committee 
B)  Directly through the union that represents its workers 
C)  Directly from the corporation's funds 
D)  Through a special state tax transfer fund 
E)  By limiting their direct contributions to less than $2,000 per candidate 
A)  Through a political action committee 
B)  Directly through the union that represents its workers 
C)  Directly from the corporation's funds 
D)  Through a special state tax transfer fund 
E)  By limiting their direct contributions to less than $2,000 per candidate

Question 13

The Christian Coalition would be most likely to promote which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  Banning same-sex marriage 
B)  Allowing women unrestricted access to abortion and contraception 
C)  Financing a national health insurance program 
D)  Programs to provide food and health care to the poor 
E)  Fewer restrictions on immigrants from neighboring nations 
A)  Banning same-sex marriage 
B)  Allowing women unrestricted access to abortion and contraception 
C)  Financing a national health insurance program 
D)  Programs to provide food and health care to the poor 
E)  Fewer restrictions on immigrants from neighboring nations

Question 14

What name is given to individuals who receive benefits from an interest group without paying the cost of membership?

Accepted Answer

A)  Fifth wheels 
B)  Party poopers 
C)  Scabs 
D)  Hangers-on 
E)  Free riders 
A)  Fifth wheels 
B)  Party poopers 
C)  Scabs 
D)  Hangers-on 
E)  Free riders

Question 15

To what does the political term grassroots refer?

Accepted Answer

A)  An activity that begins locally and spreads to broader areas 
B)  An activity that starts at the state level and works down 
C)  Lobbying efforts related to agriculture 
D)  An interest group technique that has produced little or no growth 
E)  Legislation that has an impact on the environment 
A)  An activity that begins locally and spreads to broader areas 
B)  An activity that starts at the state level and works down 
C)  Lobbying efforts related to agriculture 
D)  An interest group technique that has produced little or no growth 
E)  Legislation that has an impact on the environment

Question 16

What are the two principal ways in which the United States achieves a decentralized governing structure?

Accepted Answer

A)  Republicanism and checks and balances 
B)  Republicanism and federalism 
C)  Federalism and checks and balances 
D)  Federalism and separation of powers 
E)  Popular sovereignty and separation of powers 
A)  Republicanism and checks and balances 
B)  Republicanism and federalism 
C)  Federalism and checks and balances 
D)  Federalism and separation of powers 
E)  Popular sovereignty and separation of powers

Question 17

Compare and contrast centralized and decentralized structures of interest groups.Which,if either,seems to work best? Is there any special reason why an interest group would choose one structure over the other?

Accepted Answer

Centralized and decentralized structures

Question 18

Who selects the members of the Texas Ethics Commission?

Accepted Answer

A)  Voters in a general election 
B)  The Texas state legislature 
C)  The Texas governor,lieutenant governor,and House Speaker 
D)  The U.S.Congress 
E)  The chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court 
A)  Voters in a general election 
B)  The Texas state legislature 
C)  The Texas governor,lieutenant governor,and House Speaker 
D)  The U.S.Congress 
E)  The chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court

Question 19

Angela is a member of an interest group.She is actively campaigning in support of candidates who support her group's agenda.Which interest group activity is Angela engaging in?

Accepted Answer

A)  Lobbying 
B)  Grassroots pressure 
C)  Electioneering 
D)  Bribery 
E)  Sloganeering 
A)  Lobbying 
B)  Grassroots pressure 
C)  Electioneering 
D)  Bribery 
E)  Sloganeering

What action did the Texas legislature take following the Sharpstown Bank scandal?

Which organization would most likely mount a vigorous campaign to oppose a reduction in the staffing levels of the Texas Rehabilitation Commission?

Distinguish between a professional interest group and a public employee interest group.In what ways are their goals and membership different? Which of the two would be more likely to attract public school teachers as members?

Explain the difference between the legal gifts and favors that a lobbyist may provide and illegal bribery.

Texas legislators would be unlikely to identify which type of interest group as a "power group"?

Explain why interest groups in Texas have proliferated over the last few decades.What are the potential positive and negative aspects of this proliferation?

How do interest groups try to influence public policy?

Interest groups in Texas must operate under the laws of the state.What are the state regulations regarding interest groups,and how are they enforced? Comment on the perceived effectiveness of these regulations in Texas.

What is the principal purpose of political party activity?

Under the provisions of legislation approved by the Texas Ethics Commission,which interest group activity is still legal in the state of Texas?

Which of the following generalizations regarding interest group leadership is correct?

How may corporations in Texas legally contribute money to a political candidate?

The Christian Coalition would be most likely to promote which of the following?

What name is given to individuals who receive benefits from an interest group without paying the cost of membership?

To what does the political term grassroots refer?

What are the two principal ways in which the United States achieves a decentralized governing structure?

Compare and contrast centralized and decentralized structures of interest groups.Which,if either,seems to work best? Is there any special reason why an interest group would choose one structure over the other?

Who selects the members of the Texas Ethics Commission?

Angela is a member of an interest group.She is actively campaigning in support of candidates who support her group's agenda.Which interest group activity is Angela engaging in?

The Environment of Texas Politics

Federalism and the Texas Constitution

Local Governments

Political Parties

Campaigns and Elections

The Media and Politics

The Legislative Branch

The Executive Branch

The Judicial Branch

Finance and Fiscal Policy

Public Policy and Administration

The Criminal Justice System

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Exam 7: The Politics of Interest Groups

What action did the Texas legislature take following the Sharpstown Bank scandal?

Which organization would most likely mount a vigorous campaign to oppose a reduction in the staffing levels of the Texas Rehabilitation Commission?

Distinguish between a professional interest group and a public employee interest group.In what ways are their goals and membership different? Which of the two would be more likely to attract public school teachers as members?

Explain the difference between the legal gifts and favors that a lobbyist may provide and illegal bribery.

Texas legislators would be unlikely to identify which type of interest group as a "power group"?

Explain why interest groups in Texas have proliferated over the last few decades.What are the potential positive and negative aspects of this proliferation?

How do interest groups try to influence public policy?

Interest groups in Texas must operate under the laws of the state.What are the state regulations regarding interest groups,and how are they enforced? Comment on the perceived effectiveness of these regulations in Texas.

What is the principal purpose of political party activity?

Under the provisions of legislation approved by the Texas Ethics Commission,which interest group activity is still legal in the state of Texas?

Which of the following generalizations regarding interest group leadership is correct?

How may corporations in Texas legally contribute money to a political candidate?

The Christian Coalition would be most likely to promote which of the following?

What name is given to individuals who receive benefits from an interest group without paying the cost of membership?

To what does the political term grassroots refer?

What are the two principal ways in which the United States achieves a decentralized governing structure?

Compare and contrast centralized and decentralized structures of interest groups.Which,if either,seems to work best? Is there any special reason why an interest group would choose one structure over the other?

Who selects the members of the Texas Ethics Commission?

Angela is a member of an interest group.She is actively campaigning in support of candidates who support her group's agenda.Which interest group activity is Angela engaging in?

The Environment of Texas Politics

Federalism and the Texas Constitution

Local Governments

Political Parties

Campaigns and Elections

The Media and Politics

The Legislative Branch

The Executive Branch

The Judicial Branch

Finance and Fiscal Policy

Public Policy and Administration

The Criminal Justice System

Filters