Interest Groups

Front 1

amicus curiae brief

Back 1

A brief is a document filed with a court containing a legal argument supporting a desired outcome in a particular case. An amicus curiae brief is filed by a party not directly involved in the litigation but with an interest in the outcome of the case.

Hint 1

lating for "friend of the court"

Front 2

collective good

Back 2

Something enjoyed by all members of a society or community, such as clean air.

Front 3

direct technique

Back 3

Direct interaction with government officials that is used by interest groups to further their goals.

Front 4

economic interest group

Back 4

Interest groups that work to gain economic benefits for their members.

Hint 4

Examples include: National Association of Manufacturers and the American Federation of Labor -Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)

Front 5

Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act

Back 5

Sought to regulate the lobbying activities of pressure groups.

Hint 5

1946

Front 6

free-rider problem

Back 6

Interest groups face this when people can benefit from their activities without actually joining or participating in the interest group.

Front 7

gridlock

Back 7

A complete lack of movement or progress in the passage of legistlation, typically resulting from conflicts between political parties or between Congress and president.

Front 8

incumbent

Back 8

A person who holds an office or an official position.

Front 9

indirect technique

Back 9

The use by interest groups of third parties to influence government officials and their decisions.

Front 10

Interest groups

Back 10

A group of organized individuals who share common goals and try to influence government decision makers on issues that directly or indirectly affect the members of the group.

Hint 10

Differ in goals, financial power, size, political power, and influence, but methods are usually the same: lobbying and producing propoganda.

Front 11

iron triangle

Back 11

A three-way alliance between political organizations or agents. Thought that these hinder the political process by putting their own interests ahead of national interests.

Hint 11

Example is the iron triangle between the Pentagon, defense contractors and the Congressional committees in charge of defense spending.

Front 12

labor movement

Back 12

Generally speaking, the concerns and expressions of hte working class regarding the economy and politics. In a political sense, the organization of working-class groups to further their economic and political interests.

Hint 12

Unions are the interest groups formed to address the concerns of these laborers.

Front 13

lobbying

Back 13

Efforts by individuals or organizations to pass, defeat, change, or influence the crafting of law and the decisions, policies, and actions of the government.

Front 14

material incentive

Back 14

An economic motivation for doing something.

Front 15

political action committee (PAC)

Back 15

An interest group that gives money collectd from members to political candidates or parties. PAC's have revolutionized campaign finance.

Hint 15

The Committee on Politic al Education in the 40's began this movement, the Federal Election Campaign Act of 74 authorized PAC's and stated that as much as $5000 vould be given to as many as five candidates in a federal election as long as the money was freely donated by 50 members.

Front 16

pressure system

Back 16

A theory of American politics in which organized special interest groups dominate government.

Hint 16

Tends to have a business or upper-class bias.

Front 17

private interest group

Back 17

An interest group workng in the interests of a small group of people, as opposed to a public interest group.

Front 18

professional interest group

Back 18

Type of private interest group that represents the interests of professionals.

Hint 18

Examples: American Bar Association, American Medical Association

Front 19

public employee interests group

Back 19

A type of private interest group that works to further the interests of government employees.

Front 20

public interest

Back 20

To the benefit of the members of an entire community. Generallly, this is in contrast to a private interest, or something that is of benefit to and individual or group.

Front 21

public interest group

Back 21

A type of interest group that work on issues affecting broad segments of the population. Public interest groups often form as social movements mature.

Front 22

purposive incentive

Back 22

A motivation that is dependent on ethical beliefs, values, or idealogical principles.

Front 23

selective incentive

Back 23

Material benefits availabe to members of an interest group. These are given to avoid the "free-rider" problem.

Front 24

single-issue group

Back 24

Interest group concerned with a single issue, such as the National Rifle Association.

Front 25

social movement

Back 25

Activation of a segment of the public for political, economic, or social change.

Front 26

soft money

Back 26

Campaign contributions t

Front 27

solidary incentive

Back 27

Motivation based onthe shared association, hobbies, or interests.

Front 28

subsidy

Back 28

Financial aid that the goverment provides to individuals, groups, businesses, or other levels of government.