32] Interest group liberalism is associated with which of the following criticisms?
A] In an effort to please and appease every interest, agencies proliferate, conflicting regulations expand, programs multiply, and the budgets skyrocket.
B] Real power is held by relatively few people, key groups, and institutions that get nearly all they want from government.
C] Interest groups win some and lose some, but no group wins or loses all the
time, and democratic government is well served by their competition.
D] The framers of the Constitution intended that groups serve to bargain for various interests in American society, and this has proven a wise and relatively fair, open system.
E] The interest group system is dominated by liberal interest groups who have been successfully pushing an agenda that has made it hard for the police to fight crime, contributed to declining moral values and bankrupted the government with
giveaways to welfare freeloaders.
____________________ are collections of people with essentially the same self-interest that collectively form an organization to promote and defend it through the political process.
interest groups
____________________ is a strategy by which organized interests seek to influence the passage of legislation by exerting pressure on members of the legislature.
lobbying
The theory of ____________________ suggests that all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in the government; the outcome of this competition is compromise and moderation.
pluralism
Organized groups that attempt to influence the government by getting their members elected to important political offices are called ____________________.
political parties
A ____________________ is a policy or benefit created and provided by the government that is available to everyone.
public good
A ____________________ is a loose network of elected leaders, public officials, activists, and interest groups drawn together by a specific policy issue.
issue network
The ____________________ results when there is no reason to pay to join an interest group because individuals receive the benefits whether they are members of the group or not.
free-rider problem
The ____________________ requires all organizations employing lobbyists to register with Congress and to disclose whom they represent, whom they lobby, what they are looking for, and how much they are paid.
1995 Lobbying Disclosure Act
In the Supreme Court case of ____________________, the court ruled that spending by or on behalf of a candidate for office is protected speech.
Buckley v. Valeo
An ____________________ is made up of an alliance between a legislative committee, an interest group, and an executive agency.
Iron Triangle
In Federalist #10, he could not endorse any government that suppressed factions because self-interest is tied to liberty and liberty was sacred.
James Madison
Argued that everyone is driven by self-interest, which in the absence of government and society, leads them into deadly conflict with each other over scarce resources.
Thomas Hobbes
Focused on a theory of Pluralism and assumes that society is a plurality of groups and that each of these groups are composed of people who share interests.
David Truman
Wrote Democracy in America [1835] which suggested that Americans frequently formed small groups that were usually small, ad hoc, and structured to solve problems without turning to government for help.
Alexis de Tocqueville
Argued that truly self-interested people will not pay to join and support an organization even when they do see threats to their interests, thus people will free ride.
Mancur Olson
An interest group puts on a concert where members attend.
solidary benefit
An interest group allows for a free service like roadside assistance.
material benefit
An interest group provides members with an academic journal of the latest research.
informational benefit
An member of an interest group feels good because they are helping the homeless.
purposive benefit
A member of an interest group receives a hat and a bumper sticker because they are members of the Human Rights Campaign.
material benefit
Groups that are bound by their economic interests of what they do for a living, ex. the Chamber of Commerce, American Association of Railroads, American Farm Bureau Federation
Trade or Professional Organization
Some argue that they are not interest groups because they are not private citizens but are popularly elected, policy makers.
Inter Governmental Groups
An open membership association with a large number of members who are very politically active.
Citizen group
They are supposed to express their interests via the State Department, however, many hire lobbyists for extra pressure.
Foreign Governments
They lobby for policy that affects everybody in the US; however, most members or contributors are not politically active.
Public interest group
During this era, most new groups were trade associations for industries and professions, also we saw the rise of social causes like prohibition and women's rights groups.
Age of Organization
In this era, the national government was very weak and people looked to local groups to solve economic or social problems. Early lobbyists were concerned with issues like a National Bank and military contracts.
Early Lobbying
This era of lobbying saw many cause-oriented groups lobbying for social change, rather than protection of economic and professional interests. Lobbying focused on issues of post war economic growth and their effect on consumers and the environment.
Postwar Explosion
This era was characterized by industrialization, new territory being added to the Union, new resources and markets in the West. Lobbying was sometimes marred by bribery and extravagance.
Gilded Age
In this era, groups were concerned with economic matters or solving the problems cause by economic collapse. Lobbying surrounded laws like the Social Security Act and National Labor Relations Act.
The New Deal
____________________ is when an interest group or social movement organization is able to convince its members and sympathizers to participate in public events such as marches or speeches.
grassroots protest
A criticism of interest group pluralism is
its class bias in favor of those with greater financial resources
The rights to assembly and petition are guaranteed by the same amendment that guarantees
free speech
Organized interest groups enhance American democracy by
financing large numbers of election campaigns
empowering less-potent segments of society
representing the
interests of large numbers of people and encouraging political participation
---
EXCEPT BY: fielding large numbers of electable candidates
A ____________________ is a tax-exempt organization described in Internal Revenue Code [IRC] that must not be organized for profit and must be operated exclusively to promote social welfare.
501C
Since the 1930s, the number and scale of interest groups at the national level has
dramatically increased
The primary function of a political action committee [PAC] is to
raise and contribute money to election campaigns
Individuals and organizations can give an unlimited amount of money to
Super PACs
The fact that interest groups favor the wealthy and well educated can be understood as a reflection of what dilemma in American politics?
Liberty is often inconsistent with equality
Which of the following statements about political parties and interest groups is most accurate?
Political parties have declined in influence in recent years, while interest groups have become more numerous, active, and influential.
The tobacco industry is highly centralized with two companies making up 80% of the market share. One of those companies is _____________________________
Phillip Morris / RJ Reynolds
The _____________________________ refers to how lobbyists must persuade legislators that what group members want is more or less consistent with what their reelection constituencies want
Alignment of Interest
The _____________________________ is the idea that many lobbyists were once members of Congress and now work as advocates.
Revolving Door
A _____________________________ is a professional advocate for one or more organized interests before government officials
Lobbyist
In 1964, the _____________________________ concluded that smoking was related to lung cancer
U.S. Surgeon General
The 1998 MSA showed that cigarette companies targeted children for years
True
Many interest group members indicate that they want their groups to provide information about Congress and issues important to them
True
The internet makes it easier for lobbyists to manage membership, suppress divisions among members, and frame issues and policy situations to their advantage.
False - makes it harder
In-House lobbyists are contract lobbyists that are hired by a firm, not as full-time employees, but as specialists who supplement the permanent team
False - for-hire lobbyist
The job of a corporate lobbyist is often referred to as the "art of strategic lurking"
True
Inside lobbying is when an interest group schedules a large demonstration or town hall meeting to influence public opinion and a member of a legislature
False
Although the number of interest groups is growing, the trend is typically of declining participation among members
True
Interest groups and legislators often pass legislation that is not ideal because policy enactment requires the consent of many policy makers in several governing institutions
True
Get Government Off Our Backs [GGOOB] was a crafted front group that was funded by tobacco companies.
True
The Food and Drug Administration [FDA] can regulate tobacco by banning certain products and raising the age to smoke.
False
Who do lobbyists lobby most?
Congressional members on important committees and their staffs.
All of the following have been ways to constrain the tobacco lobby, EXCEPT?
Requiring warning labels on packs of cigarettes
*Banning direct lobbying of Congress by tobacco companies*
Banning all broadcast advertising
Banning smoking on busses and airplanes
Which of the following is NOT one of the assumptions of about lobbyists?
Interest group members differ in how they would ideally like to see issues important to them resolved with public policy
Interest group members can quit their organizations and are more likely to do so the more dissatisfied they are with the choices of its lobbyist
*Lobbyists have unlimited resources for pursuing member interest advocacy, so possibilities are endless*
All government officials seek to achieve professional and policy goals
Which of the following is a way that a lobbyist can get access to insider lobby?
They can get access by making even a small constituency tie
It can be based upon their reputation
By being introduced by a mutual friend
By making a campaign contribution at a fundraiser
*All of the above*
Which of the following is NOT a reason to justify regulating the tobacco industry?
The tobacco industry produced a deadly product that has largely been unregulated
*The tobacco industry has voluntarily given millions of dollars to the states to pay for anti-smoking TV campaigns*
The industry has heavily marketed its products to children
Tobacco related disease is the leading preventable cause of death in the US
Which of the following is NOT one of the 4 P's that a corporate lobbyist does?
Preparation
Perspiration
Penetration
*Population*
Which of the following is NOT a determining factor as to whether a firm hires a lobbyist?
The degree of public exposure a firm is willing to absorb as it works to impact policy
Whether a firm thinks that its policy goals can be accomplished with current resources
Whether the corporation feels like its needs can only be addressed in the public arena
The corporate leadership's attitude toward public engagement
*All of the above are determining factors as to whether a firm hires a lobbyist*
Which of the following is NOT one of the 4 Immutable political factors that condition corporate lobbying?
The business of Washington is politics; public policy is a by-product
*A firm's governmental and political operations need only be loosely linked to a firm's commercial and corporate objectives*
Sound and sophisticated policy development is indispensable
Relationships are crucial
All of the following are results of the tobacco Master Settlement Agreement [MSA], EXCEPT
*Cigarette companies lost billions of dollars in profits that nearly bankrupted some of the major cigarette manufacturers*
States redirected settlement funds that were intended to develop anti-smoking campaigns to unrelated purposes
Cigarette companies tried to create a more "socially responsible" image
Cigarette companies formed alliances with conservative groups, opposed excise taxes, and focused efforts surrounding tobacco farmers.
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of lobbyists?
Many were once members of the US Congress
More lobbyists are men, than women
*Most make over $150,000 per year*
More are Democrats, than Republicans
All of the above are characteristics of lobbyists
Last week, evidence from an FBI investigation appears to indicate that Florida electoral candidate, _____________ _____________, may have violated ethics laws regarding gifts.
Andrew Gillum
The _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ was created in 1975 and is the primary line of communication between the White House and the public
Office of Public Liaison
The Administrative Procedure Act of 1946, created the _____________ _____________. This publication is where the public can read through and offer any comments to bureaucratic agency rules.
federal register
_____________ _____________ was a US Supreme Court nominee of President Ronald Reagan who was denied Senate confirmation in a highly charged political hearing that changed the process forever.
Robert Bork
Because of its broad set of ideas and lack of clear organization and leadership, the Tea Party is considered a _____________ _____________
social movement
_____________ _____________ is the CNBC economist who many credit with the start of the Tea Party after a live television rant on the floor of the Chicago stock exchange.
Rick Santelli
_____________ _____________ are local governmental units created for a single purpose, such as water distribution or education.
special districts
_____________ is when the bureaucracy puts into operation the legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by the President.
Implementation
In Florida, all gifts that are not received from direct relatives must be reported if they are in excess of $1000
False - $100
Because of large election constituencies, George W. Bush closed the White House door to many interest groups
False - Obama
Judicial rules typically require that cases exhibiting a set of circumstances later in time be decided in more or less the same manner
True
Tea Party supporters tend to be more centrist than the average Republican and their economic positions constitute the core of their philosophy and motivation for activism
False - more extreme
Business groups "dominate" lobbying efforts at all levels of government, including special districts
False
An early study library special districts demonstrated that specialized governments were relatively inefficient providing poorer services than multipurpose governments at a higher cost.
True
It is illegal to directly lobby a judge.
True
The main base of strength for the Tea Party has been in the South and North East
False - South and Midwest
The US Supreme Court only hears a small number of cases and even fewer overturn existing precedent and thus change the law.
True
Most lobbyists report contacting members of the executive branch at a higher rate than the legislative branch
False - contact the legislative branch more
The Tea Party was successful in motivating voters and helping the Republicans gain control of Congress
True
Overall, decisions by special districts come out of tight-knit networks of actors who work together, relatively conflict free, to do what they think is best.
True
A payment of money or anything of value for a series of appearances, speeches, or articles given to a government official is called
an honorarium
This law passed in 1969, required agencies to write environmental impact statements showing how a proposed public project minimizes potential environmental change
the National Environmental Policy Act
An iron triangle is made up of an alliance between
a legislative committee, an interest groups, and an executive agency
Interest groups use litigation as a strategy of influence by
financing lawsuits, challenging laws, and sponsoring cases
The right to bring a lawsuit to court because the person can credibly claim they have been harmed by the law is called
standing
Which Supreme Court nominee was accused of sexual harassment during his confirmation hearing?
Clarence Thomas
A person, agency, or interest group not directly a party to a case but with an interest in its outcome may file an _____________ brief.
amicus curiae
This interest group provided early financial support to the Tea Party and later made up almost half of its members
Freedom Works
Which of the following is NOT a theme of the Tea Party?
Taxation
Government Overreach
Smaller Government
*all of the above are themes of the Tea Party*
The Negotiated Rule-making Act of 1990 was designed to
reduce the number of lawsuits by encouraging interest groups to solve conflicts with administrative agencies through mediation
When groups did lobby special districts, they most likely
they met personally with district personnel or attended a public meeting
Who was a public choice theorist who considered the American federal system with plentiful governments, as a marketplace where "consumers" or citizens essentially shop for the local government they want?
Charles Tiebout
President _____________ created the Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives to open a direct line of communication between the White House and conservative groups
George W. Bush
What type of court cases receive a large amount of interest group attention?
civil rights cases
federalism cases
cases concerning the extent of
judicial power
first amendment cases
*all of the above receive a large amount of interest group attention*
Which of the following is NOT a criticism of Special District government?
Special districts are low profile and virtually invisible to the public and thus evade public scrutiny and control
Government fragmentation makes it difficult for citizens to know which government does what and to keep elected officials accountable.
*They maximize technical proficiency compared to their general service counterparts*
They are not cost efficient due to the lack of accountability and ability for interest groups to influence their decision making.
Going forward, stronger laws should require lobbyists to disclose information about exactly what position on an issue they are lobbying for at any given point in time
True
The Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act was the first law passed in 1946 to regulate lobbying and it focused on individuals who had direct contact with lawmakers
True
When you control for candidate characteristics you see that quality candidates can win even without PAC dollars
True
Many scholars claim that money influences roll call votes in Congress and research shows that PAC money only has a substantial influence on votes
False
Only about 34% of lobbyists surveyed believe that the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act has improved the profession's accountability
True
Most PACs give only to one party, either Republicans or Democrats
False
Pay to Play is a system in which party and Congressional leaders are pushing lobbyists to raise money and get involved in campaigns or be left out of the party's agenda
False
The end result of executive limits on lobbying is that there is more lobbying being done without registration
True
One key lobbying reform that is necessary going forward is consideration for expanding the definition of lobbyists to include more people who provide "lobbying support"
True
President Obama banned all lobbyists from being hired into the administration, without exception.
False
A ____________ political action committee that is not affiliated with any corporation or interest group - thus it can raise money from anybody
non-affiliated
A ____________ is a tax-exempt organization described in Internal Revenue Code [IRC] that must not be organized for profit and must be operated exclusively to promote social welfare
501C
Who garners more interest group support, and PAC money?
Incumbents
Which of the following is NOT a reason why an interest group will form a PAC?
Interest groups establish PACs as complements to their larger lobbying efforts
Corporations do not have any grassroots organization, so they must form PACs to influence policy decisions
Some groups are so large that they will form a PAC because their membership can raise huge sums of money
Some groups form PACs when they see their opponents doing it
*All of the above are reasons why an interest group will form a PAC*
All of the following are part of the American League of Lobbyists Code of Ethics, EXCEPT
To keep the client educated on what is happening and what the larger public interest might be beyond the client's specific interest
Emphasizes charging reasonable fees
To provide pro bono advocacy for people who cannot afford them
The importance of properly understanding and honestly discussing with members and lawmakers all sides of an issue
*All of the above are part of the ALL Code of Ethics*
The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 did all of the following, EXCEPT
Required lobbyists on Capitol Hill to register
Required lobbyists to disclose what issues they are lobbying and how much money they spend on it
*Applied lobbying laws to those that lobby the executive branch or White House*
Has led to very few prosecutions of lobbyists who violate the Act
In 2011, IRS official, Lois Lerner flagged non-profit groups with for extra scrutiny if their names contained the words....
Tea Party and Patriot
The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act did all of the following, EXCEPT
Essentially banned all gift giving by lobbyists to legislators and their staff
Created harsher penalties for violating existing bans
Bans interest group sponsored lobbying events, but not fundraisers
Requires lobbyists to file statements disclosing all of their contributions, and their PAC's contributions to candidates for federal office
*The HLOGA did all of the following*
When considering the money that is spent by candidates who are running for elected offie, the largest source is
Political Action Committee donations
Some candidates who run for office do not use interest group money because
They fear that their image will be tarnished
They did not have a realistic chance to win and thus PACs did not offer contributions
They are too ideologically distant from most interest groups and did not get PAC contributions
*All of the above*
____________ ____________ was an important Washington lobbyists who was indicted in 2005 on charges of violating federal lobbying laws
Jack Ambermoff
A ____________ is an organization established to raise money from members of an interest group and contribute that money to candidates in elections or spend it on campaign activities indirectly benefitting the favored candidate
PAC
____________ ____________ refers to the funds donated to nonprofit organizations that in turn spend it in order to influence elections. These nonprofit organizations can receive an unlimited amount of donations, and they're not required to disclose their donors.
Dark Money
Both Presidents Trump and Obama regulated lobbying of the executive branch via ____________ ____________
executive order
In 2010, the Supreme Court's case of ____________ cleared the way for corporations and labor unions to raise and spend unlimited sums of money, and register for tax-exempt status under the IRS code.
Citizens United v. FEC