Question 1

A basic reason for the existence of so many interest groups in the United States is

Accepted Answer

A)  the American tradition of free association.
B)  the extent of diverse interests in American society.
C)  America's federal system of government.
D)  the separation of powers in American government.
E)  All these answers are correct.F) B) and C)
G) A) and E)

Question 2

In acknowledging the dilemma inherent in group activity,James Madison

Accepted Answer

A)  argued that the free-rider problem would hurt some groups more than others.
B)  claimed that government could listen to all groups,but should only enact policies that promote the interests of majority groups.
C)  worried that government would be overly dominated by groups,but recognized that a free society is obliged to permit the advocacy of self-interest.
D)  argued that government must restrict the activities of groups,so that political parties could act as the major instrument of democracy.
E)  All these answers are correct.F) B) and D)
G) None of the above

Question 3

Outside lobbying does NOT include

Accepted Answer

A)  developing and maintaining close contacts with policymakers.
B)  the use of campaign contributions to legislators who favor the interest group.
C)  cultivating favorable coverage from the news media.
D)  targeting group resources on key election races.
E)  rousing citizens to contact their elected officials and express their support.F) C) and D)
G) B) and D)

Question 4

The Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v.Federal Election Commission (2010)

Accepted Answer

A)  allows corporations and labor unions to spend unlimited funds on campaigns.
B)  limits PACs by reducing the amount of money they can raise through contributions by small donors.
C)  has forced candidates for office and elected officials to make public the amounts of campaign contributions they have received from PACs and which PACs make those donations.
D)  has strengthened the argument that PACs constitute a better system of campaign finance than one based on wealthy donors.
E)  has forced corporations and labor unions to legally divorce themselves from the PACs they sponsor.F) B) and D)
G) B) and E)

Question 5

The theory that society's interests are most effectively represented through group action is

Accepted Answer

A)  republicanism.
B)  constitutionalism.
C)  elitist theory.
D)  pluralist theory.
E)  interest-group liberalism.F) A) and C)
G) A) and D)

Question 6

The air we breathe is an example of a

Accepted Answer

A)  private good.
B)  negative externality.
C)  material good.
D)  mass-produced good.
E)  collective good.F) None of the above
G) C) and D)

Question 7

James Madison's solution to the problem of factions (special interests) has,in the modern policy process,actually contributed to the problem by

Accepted Answer

A)  suppressing the claims of special interests,thereby making it more difficult for them to get their opinions heard by officials.
B)  resulting in a fragmentation of authority among policymakers,thereby providing groups more opportunities to get their way.
C)  eroding the strength of political parties,thereby increasing the opportunity for group influence.
D)  weakening the legislative branch,thereby allowing groups to bully Congress into accepting their demands.
E)  eroding the power of the mass media,thereby increasing the opportunity for group influence.F) A) and D)
G) None of the above

Question 8

James Madison argued

Accepted Answer

A)  against all interest groups.
B)  for the advocacy of self-interest free from all systems of restraint.
C)  for regulation of interests through a governing system of checks and balances.
D)  for the replacement of interest groups by formal political parties.
E)  for a powerful judiciary.F) B) and E)
G) A) and B)

Question 9

Under federal law,PACs can contribute no more than ________ per candidate in a primary election.

Accepted Answer

A)  $1,000
B)  $5,000
C)  $25,000
D)  $50,000
E)  $100,000F) B) and C)
G) B) and E)

Question 10

The citizens of ________ are most actively involved in interest groups and community causes.

Accepted Answer

A)  the United States
B)  Germany
C)  Italy
D)  France
E)  Great BritainF) B) and C)
G) C) and E)

Question 11

The limits of interest groups' influence might be gauged by the Democratic backlash against the _______,which tried to block the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1993.

Accepted Answer

A)  ACLU
B)  Sierra Club
C)  Izaak Walton League
D)  AARP
E)  AFL-CIOF) D) and E)
G) A) and C)

Question 12

The dominant labor interest group is

Accepted Answer

A)  the Teamster's Union.
B)  United Auto Workers.
C)  the AFL-CIO.
D)  the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
E)  None of these answers is correct.F) A) and D)
G) B) and E)

Question 13

Why did Representative Tom DeLay lose his post as House majority leader?

Accepted Answer

A)  He was implicated in a scandal involving campaign donations from lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
B)  He was forced out through the leveraging of money by a host of PACs,who opposed his attempts to limit their influence.
C)  He was voted out of office when Democrats were able to paint him as an unscrupulous supporter of big business.
D)  The major labor unions turned against him and encouraged their supporters to vote him out of office when he opposed their lobbying efforts.
E)  He angered the members of the AARP by suggesting that government retirement benefits should be cut.F) A) and E)
G) A) and B)

Question 14

There are more than ________ political action committees (PACs) in the United States.

Accepted Answer

A)  40
B)  400
C)  4,000
D)  400,000
E)  4,000,000F) C) and D)
G) A) and C)

Question 15

Which of the following is true of employment in lobbying firms by members of Congress?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is very rare for a member of Congress to become a lobbyist because of the negative stigma involved.
B)  Most members of Congress join lobbying firms immediately after leaving Congress.
C)  They are prohibited by law from lobbying Congress for a set period of time after leaving office.
D)  Members of Congress are prohibited by law from joining the lobbying profession.
E)  Many members of Congress were lobbyists prior to becoming elected representatives.F) None of the above
G) All of the above

Question 16

"Agency capture" occurs when

Accepted Answer

A)  a regulatory agency funnels money back into the lobbying organizations that are seeking policy changes.
B)  regulatory agencies side with the industries they are supposed to regulate rather than with the public.
C)  the executive branch takes back control of a regulatory agency by passing regulation to prevent undue influence by lobbying organizations.
D)  a regulatory agency must be dismantled because it has become corrupted.
E)  an election results in the replacement of an agency's leadership through appointive positions under a new president.F) C) and E)
G) A) and D)

Question 17

Why have issue networks become more prevalent than iron triangles?

Accepted Answer

A)  the increasing power of corporate lobbying
B)  the increasing diversity of interest groups
C)  the increasing influence of PACs
D)  the instability of candidates' positions
E)  the increasing complexity of policy problemsF) A) and E)
G) None of the above

Question 18

Another name for an interest group is

Accepted Answer

A)  pressure group.
B)  cabal.
C)  political party.
D)  coalition.
E)  constituency.F) B) and C)
G) A) and D)

Question 19

PACs tend to contribute the most money to

Accepted Answer

A)  incumbents.
B)  challengers.
C)  Independents.
D)  liberal Democrats.
E)  liberal Republicans.F) D) and E)
G) B) and D)

Question 20

Roughly how many American workers currently belong to unions?

Accepted Answer

A)  one in two
B)  one in four
C)  one in eight
D)  one in six
E)  one in tenF) A) and B)
G) A) and D)

Exam 1: Interest Groups: Organizing for Influence

A basic reason for the existence of so many interest groups in the United States is

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Outside lobbying does NOT include

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Roughly how many American workers currently belong to unions?

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The theory that society's interests are most effectively represented through group action is

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The dominant labor interest group is

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"Agency capture" occurs when

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Which of the following is true of employment in lobbying firms by members of Congress?

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There are more than ________ political action committees (PACs) in the United States.

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Why did Representative Tom DeLay lose his post as House majority leader?

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The Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v.Federal Election Commission (2010)

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Another name for an interest group is

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In acknowledging the dilemma inherent in group activity,James Madison

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The limits of interest groups' influence might be gauged by the Democratic backlash against the _______,which tried to block the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1993.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Why have issue networks become more prevalent than iron triangles?

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PACs tend to contribute the most money to

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Under federal law,PACs can contribute no more than ________ per candidate in a primary election.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

James Madison's solution to the problem of factions (special interests) has,in the modern policy process,actually contributed to the problem by

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The citizens of ________ are most actively involved in interest groups and community causes.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

James Madison argued

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The air we breathe is an example of a

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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