Interest Groups and Political Parties

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Questions and Answers

Which interest group had the highest expenditure in 2020?

Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America

American Hospital Association

US Chamber of Commerce

National Association of Realtors (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a primary reason why people join interest groups?

Public service

Material benefits

Solidary benefits

Political power (correct)

What distinguishes interest groups from political parties?

Interest groups run political candidates.

Interest groups can restrict membership. (correct)

Political parties are private organizations.

Political parties have a narrow focus.

What is one key feature of Super PACs following the 2010 Citizens United decision?

They can raise unlimited sums of money and do not coordinate with candidates. Signup and view all the answers

Which organization spent the least among the highest-spending interest groups in 2020?

Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about interest groups is TRUE?

They have a private nature. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about 527 groups is accurate?

They can raise unlimited funds but must disclose donors to the IRS. Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum amount an individual can donate to a candidate in a PAC?

$5,000 Signup and view all the answers

Which of these interest groups focuses on business advocacy?

US Chamber of Commerce Signup and view all the answers

What resource is NOT typically considered a political resource for interest groups?

Political candidates Signup and view all the answers

What concern is associated with the growth of interest groups?

They promote only single-issue policies. Signup and view all the answers

What type of benefits do interest groups primarily offer to their members?

Social rewards Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant concern related to ‘dark money’ in political spending?

It leads to undisclosed funding sources affecting political campaigns. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary purposed benefits for individuals joining interest groups?

Finding meaning in the activity Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes direct lobbying from indirect lobbying?

Both strategies aim to influence policymakers but through different methods Signup and view all the answers

What is a key requirement of lobbyists and organizations under the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1946?

They must disclose their identity and basic operational facts Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Buckley v. Valeo (1976) Supreme Court case?

It ruled that mandatory limits on campaign spending violated the First Amendment Signup and view all the answers

What did the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRFA) of 2002 primarily aim to address?

It banned soft money contributions Signup and view all the answers

What significant ruling did Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) make?

Corporations and unions have a First Amendment right to unlimited spending on political advocacy Signup and view all the answers

What role does the Federal Election Commission (FEC) play following the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971?

It regulates the spending and contributions to political campaigns Signup and view all the answers

What are Political Action Committees (PACs) primarily composed of?

Corporations, labor unions, and other organized groups Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Interest Groups

A politically-oriented organization of people with shared interests who make demands on society related to those interests
Related to the 1st Amendment rights, political freedom, and core democratic principles

Interest Groups vs. Political Parties

Interest Groups: Don't run political candidates, narrow focus, private, can restrict membership
Political Parties: Run political candidates, broad focus, quasi-public, cannot limit membership

Political Resources for Interest Groups

Membership
Money
Leadership and expertise

Reasons for Joining Interest Groups

Material benefits: Tangible rewards
Solidary benefits: Social rewards
Purposive benefits: Finding meaning in the activity, expressing values

Political Tactics

Lobbying: Influencing policymaking
Types of Lobbying:
- Direct Lobbying: Directly communicating with policymakers
- Indirect Lobbying: Influencing public opinion to pressure policymakers

Restrictions on Lobbying

Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act (1946): Regulates lobbying activity, requiring disclosures from lobbyists and organizations

Interest Group Regulation

Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA; 1971):
- Established political action committees (PACs)
- Created the Federal Election Committee (FEC)
- Limited campaign spending
Buckley v. Valeo (1976): Supreme Court ruled that mandatory campaign spending limits violated the First Amendment
Hard Money: Regulated by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) with limits individual contributions and donations to candidates and parties
Soft Money: Contributions to political parties that are not subject to federal limits

Interest Group Regulation Continued

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRFA; 2002)/“McCain-Feingold Act”:
- Increased hard money contribution limits
- Banned soft money contributions
- Restricted "issue ads" close to elections
- Declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court for restricting free speech
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010):
- Supreme Court ruled that corporations and unions have First Amendment rights to spend unlimited money from their general treasuries on political advocacy, overturning parts of BCRFA/McCain-Feingold

Types of PACs

Political action committees (PACs):
- Corporations, labor unions, etc. can form PACs to raise and donate funds
- Subject to FEC regulations and limits on donations
Other 527 Groups:
- Not regulated by FEC, can raise unlimited funds, but must disclose donors to IRS
- Cannot directly contribute to campaigns or candidates

Super PACs

Created as a result of the Citizens United Decision
"Independent expenditure-only committees"
Can raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, individuals, and other sources (including "dark money" )
Must report to FEC
Can spend unlimited sums to openly advocate for or against political candidates
Cannot directly coordinate with candidates

Spending in the 2020 Election

Significant increases in spending compared to previous elections

Identifying the Role of "Dark Money" in the 2020 Presidential Election

Raises questions about the influence of undisclosed sources of funding on political campaigns

How Much Money is in Politics? Discussion: Campaign Spending

Arguments for limiting campaign spending:
- Ensures fairness and prevents undue influence from wealthy individuals or corporations
- Promotes a more level playing field
Counterpoint:
- Violates First Amendment rights to free speech and association
- Limits political participation
Arguments against limiting campaign spending:
- Protects the free flow of information and ideas
- Allows for greater diversity of viewpoints
Counterpoint:
- Contributes to a system where political outcomes are influenced by a small group of donors
- Creates an uneven playing field

Interest Group Summary

Pros:
- Promote political freedom
- Promote inclusion of more preferences
Cons:
- Not all interest groups participate equally
- Growth of single-issue groups, moralization of issues
- Concerns about regulation, campaign finance issues

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Description

This quiz explores the concepts of interest groups and political parties, highlighting their differences and functions within the political system. Understand the reasons individuals join these groups and the various political tactics employed, including lobbying. Test your knowledge of democratic principles related to these entities.