Questions and Answers
The iron triangle is a relationship that is established through repeated litigation of class-action suits.
False
What eternal dilemma in American politics is reflected by the fact that interest groups favor the wealthy and well-educated?
liberty is often inconsistent with equality
What constitutes an iron triangle?
a legislative committee, an interest group, and an executive agency
Interest groups are concerned with the ______ of government, while political parties are concerned with the ______ of government.
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The theory of pluralism states that all interests should be free to compete for influence and the result will be compromise and moderation.
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What do you call someone who enjoys the benefits of a group's collective efforts but did not contribute to those efforts?
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What is a loose, informal relationship of public officials, interest groups, and activists who are all concerned with the same policies called?
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The American Bar Association is a good example of a labor group.
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Which statement about PACs is most accurate?
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Why does the free-rider problem occur?
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Over the past forty years, how has the number of interest groups in the United States changed?
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Lobbyists are often likely to be who?
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What is true about the so-called New Politics movement?
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Expanded ____________ regulation in the 1970s in areas such as automobile safety and health care led to the growth in interest groups.
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In grassroots lobbying, interest groups attempt to do what?
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In recent Michigan affirmative action cases, what interest group tactic was used?
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What are the requisite parts of a so-called iron triangle?
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According to textbook authors, what has caused the explosion of interest group activity in the United States?
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The massive increase in the number of interest groups can be traced to which decade?
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What is the term for communication with lawmakers and members of the government to influence the passage of legislation?
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Interest groups tend to proliferate at times when government is shrinking.
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The New Politics movement led to the proliferation of public interest groups in the 1970s.
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People who benefit from the work of an interest group but who do not themselves contribute any effort or money are called free riders.
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Interest groups are prohibited by federal law from lobbying administrative agencies.
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Study Notes
Iron Triangle and Issue Networks
- An iron triangle consists of a legislative committee, an interest group, and an executive agency forming an alliance.
- An issue network is a loose relationship between public officials, interest groups, and activists centered on shared policy concerns.
Interest Groups vs. Political Parties
- Interest groups focus on influencing government policies, whereas political parties are concerned with personnel in government.
- The rise of interest groups is related to the growing role of government since the 1970s.
Free Riders and Collective Efforts
- Free riders benefit from a group's efforts without contributing, as group benefits often cannot be denied to nonmembers.
PACs and Interest Group Dynamics
- Since 1980, ideological and public interest PACs have significantly increased, while labor PACs have remained stable.
- Lobbyists are often former government employees leveraging their connections for advocacy.
New Politics Movement
- The New Politics movement consists of upper-middle-class professionals and intellectuals influenced by civil rights and antiwar movements, leading to more public interest groups in the 1970s.
Role of Federal Regulation
- Expanded federal regulation during the 1970s, particularly in areas like automobile safety and health care, contributed to the growth of interest groups.
Lobbying Practices
- Grassroots lobbying involves engaging the general public and voters in advocacy efforts.
- Interest groups utilize litigation as a tactic, evident in their involvement in cases like affirmative action, where they sponsor lawsuits and file amicus curiae briefs.
Proliferation of Interest Groups
- The number of interest groups in the U.S. has increased dramatically over the past four decades.
- This trend is particularly notable since the 1970s, linked to the expanding government role that motivated more organized advocacy efforts.
- Interest groups typically do not proliferate during periods of government contraction.
Misconceptions and Legal Framework
- Misconception exists that interest groups are prohibited from lobbying administrative agencies; they are indeed allowed to engage in such activities.
- The theory of pluralism advocates for free competition among interests, suggesting that compromise and moderation emerge from this competition.
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Description
Explore key concepts from Chapter 8 of Political Science. This quiz features important terms and definitions that will help you understand the dynamics of policy-making and interest groups in American politics. Test your knowledge on the iron triangle and the dilemmas between liberty and equality.
