Interest Group Basics
What term does Madison use to describe interest groups?
Factions
Which type promotes economic interests?
Traditional interest groups
What is the term for filing briefs to influence court cases?
Amicus curiae briefs
What do we call someone who is hired by an organization to influence policy?
A lobbyist
Name one of the three parts of an iron triangle.
Interest groups, congressional committees, or bureaucratic agencies.
In which Federalist Paper did Madison warn about the dangers of factions?
Federalist 10
The NAACP and NOW fall under which type of interest group?
Equality interest groups
What tactic involves working directly with legislators to influence policy decisions?
Lobbying
Lobbying is most effective on issues that are __________ and __________.
Narrow and technical
What is the purpose of an iron triangle?
To mutually support and influence public policy
Interest groups are protected by what amendment?
The 1st Amendment
Groups like the NRA and MADD are examples of which type of interest group?
Endorsements, campaign contributions, report cards, or mobilizing voters.
What term refers to people cycling between government jobs and interest groups?
The revolving door
What is an example of a policymaking institution?
Congress, the courts, the presidency, or the bureaucracy.
What is the primary goal of an interest group?
To influence public policy
Groups like the Sierra Club and Common Cause are classified as what type of interest group?
Public Interest Groups
What is the "free rider problem"?
People benefit from interest group actions without joining or contributing.
Name one reason lobbyists can be considered “good for America.”
Provide information, increase participation, represent interests beyond geography.
What is a policy agenda?
A set of issues viewed as important by policymakers.
Name two ways interest groups act as linkage institutions.
They express members' preferences to policymakers and convey government information to members
What type of group represents government entities?
Governmental interest groups
Name three tactics mentioned in the handout that interest groups use to influence policy.
Mass mailings, litigation, media campaigns, boycotts, electioneering, initiatives/referendums, lobbying.
Name one criticism of lobbyists.
Wealthy interests are overrepresented, polarization, inequality, government gridlock.
In the “Highway Beautification Act” example, what did the iron triangle effectively turn the bill into?
A billboard protection law.