Exam 7: Interest Groups and Business Organizations

The idea of pluralism assumes that government policy reflects the balance of competing interest groups. What are the strengths and weaknesses of pluralism?

Given that members of Congress often lack technical expertise in particular policy areas, they depend on lobbyists to supply them with __________.

In __________, James Madison expressed concerns about the harmful effects of factions.

Tea Party Caucus Republicans in Congress in 2011 made the elimination of __________ an important element in their effort to reduce government deficits.

Which of the following is an activity that lobbyists regularly engage in?

Which of the following is an example of a trade association?

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.

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

You are the leader of an environmental organization working to address the problem of climate change. Given the free rider problem, what would be the most effective way to get others to join your cause?

How do interest groups lobby the executive branch?

The practice of appropriating money for specific pet projects of members of Congress is called __________.

There is wide agreement that the number of interest groups in the United States has grown steadily since the late 1960s. Why is this so? Do you believe the number of interest groups will continue to grow over the next few decades? Why or why not?

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

In Federalist No. 10, James Madison described how a government could be designed to control the effects of __________.

Which of the following is an example of an advocacy group?

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?

When a case that an interest group is interested in, but not actually sponsoring, comes before a court, the group can __________.

How is lobbying Congress similar to lobbying the courts?

Which of the following is an assumption of pluralism?

The practice in which former government officials become lobbyists for interests with whom they formerly dealt in their official capacity is called __________.