Eshbaugh-Soha Powerpoint "interest Groups"

Front 1

What are interest groups?

Back 1

Organization of people with a common interest who want the same policies

Front 2

What is the difference between interest groups and political parties?

Back 2

Political parties enter election battles, interest groups use these parties as avenues of interest

Front 3

What is another distinction between interest groups and political parties

Back 3

Interest groups are policy specialists, political parties are policy generalists.

Front 4

What was James Madison's opinion of interest groups and lobbying?

Back 4

Negative, disliked factions, took away from democracy.

Front 5

What is pluralist theory?

Back 5

Politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies.

Front 6

What is elite theory?

Back 6

Societies are divided along class lines and an upper-class elite rules, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization.

Front 7

What is hyperpluralist theory?

Back 7

Groups are so strong that government is weakened. This is an extreme, exaggerated form of pluralism.

Front 8

What is a problem with pluralism?

Back 8

It is too ideal.

Front 9

What does pluralism say?

Back 9

Groups compete and no group is dominant. Groups play by the "rules". All groups have equal resources. Lobbying is open.

Front 10

What does elitism say?

Back 10

Real power is held by few.
Money=power. Elite powers help each other secure power. Lobbying is a problem because it benefits the few at the expense of many.

Front 11

What is a problem with hyperpluralism?

Back 11

Groups have too much power.

Front 12

What does hyperpluralism say?

Back 12

Groups exercise a great deal of control over policy.

Front 13

What is an iron triangle?

Back 13

Groups in hyperpluralism that hold too much power.

Front 14

What is another problem with hyperpluralism?

Back 14

Trying to please every group interest results in contradictory policies.

Front 15

What is the most salient interest group issue?

Back 15

Economy - (labor, agriculture, business)

Front 16

What are other interest group issues?

Back 16

Environmental Interests, Equality Interests, Consumer and Public Interest Lobbies

Front 17

What are some successful interest groups?

Back 17

American Association of Retired Persons
National Rifle Association

Front 18

What is a collective or public good?

Back 18

A good that, once provided, cannot be withheld

Front 19

What is a problem with interest groups and public goods?

Back 19

Individuals will not join a group if the good is already public, which lowers the interest groups influence.

Front 20

What is a free-rider?

Back 20

People who don't join interest groups but still benefit from the group's activities.

Front 21

What did Mancur Olsen say about interest groups?

Back 21

"The larger a group is, the further it will fall short of providing an optimal amount of a collective good."

Front 22

What is an solution to large free-riding groups?

Back 22

For a group to provide selective benefits that are only received if one joins the interest group.

Front 23

What is a benefit of small groups?

Back 23

Small groups are better organized and more focused on the group's goals

Front 24

What is an example of a successful small group and an unsuccessful large group?

Back 24

Multinational corporations are successful. Consumer groups are unsuccessful.

Front 25

Do interest groups benefit from a concentrated effort on one issue?

Back 25

Yes, single-issue groups that have a narrow focus draw more membership and attention.

Front 26

Do financial resources help an interest group?

Back 26

Yes, monetary donations from interest groups provides better connections and more access to politicians and the policy process.

Front 27

Collective action and free rider problems are examples of what theory?

Back 27

Rational choice theory.

Front 28

What do interest groups do?

Back 28

Lobby politicians, electioneering, litigation, going public (all will be explained)

Front 29

What is lobbying?

Back 29

Communication by someone acting on the behalf of an interest group, hoping to influence a policymaker.

Front 30

How do lobbyists help politicians?

Back 30

Give them money, source of information, help politicians strategize for legislation and re-election.

Front 31

What is electioneering?

Back 31

Direct interest group involvement in the election process such as funding campaigns, providing workers.

Front 32

What is litigation?

Back 32

After failing to influence a policy, can file a amicus curiae to influence court decision.

Front 33

What is an amicus curiae?

Back 33

Briefs submitted to raise additional evidence and viewpoints to influence court to a certain decision.

Front 34

Do courts represent the minority interest?

Back 34

Yes.

Front 35

What is going public?

Back 35

Interest groups cultivating their own public image through advertising and marketing.

Front 36

Why do interest groups go public?

Back 36

To encourage voters to vote and contact legislators.

Front 37

Do PAC's (monetary donations) "buy" politicians?

Back 37

Effectively, no.

Front 38

Why don't PAC's "buy" politicians?

Back 38

Interest groups give money to politicians that already support their ideas. So in essence, one could only sway a politician, but not manipulate the politician.