Interest Groups

Front 1

Trade associations

Back 1

Economic interest groups that represent an entire industry.

Front 2

direct mail

Back 2

Mailings by candidates or interest groups targeted at individuals likely to give them money or to join their campaign.

Front 3

ideological interest groups

Back 3

Interst groups that evaluate multiple policy areas based upon a coherent political ideology.

Front 4

free-rider problem

Back 4

The difficulty faced by interst groups when trying to attract members who will benefit from their activities even when they do not contribute.

Front 5

iron triangle
(cozy triangle)

Back 5

A small group of people controlling a particular policy area; includes select members of congressional committees, administrative agencies, and lobbying groups.

Front 6

issue network

Back 6

More open than an iron triangle; the complex web of individuals who shape a policy area in the modern American political system.