American Democracy Now, 2nd Edition (Harrison)

Chapter 7: Interest Groups

Multiple Choice Quiz

1
Which of the following is true about the term social capital?
A)It describes how social connections help us to make more money.
B)It describes how social connections improve our lives.
C)It describes a type of connection that most historians argue is becoming more common in the United States.
D)All these answers are correct.
2
A basic reason for the existence of so many interest groups in the United States is
A)the American tradition of associating with only those that are of the same class as you.
B)the wide diversity of interests that exist in American society.
C)America's federal system of government.
D)All these answers are correct.
3
Interest groups have value in part because they help to
A)promote philanthropy.
B)ease political rage.
C)channel civic participation.
D)decentralize political power.
4
The theory that views the policy making process as a crucial competition among diverse groups whose members attempt to influence policy in numerous settings is
A)conflict theory.
B)elite theory.
C)associational theory.
D)pluralist theory.
5
The theory that argues that a ruling class composed of wealthy, educated individuals wields most of the power in government is called
A)conflict theory.
B)elite theory.
C)associational theory.
D)pluralist theory.
6
Which of the following is NOT true about interest groups?
A)They educate the public about policy issues.
B)They provide information and expertise to policy makers.
C)They make it more difficult for average Americans to become politically active.
D)They are part of the government's system of checks and balances.
7
________ are an important exception to the trend of working-class people not being politically socialized to participate in interest groups.
A)Labor unions
B)Civil rights organizations
C)Neighborhood associations
D)Church organizations
8
Which of the following statements is true about interest-group participation?
A)Individuals with higher levels of education are less likely to be active members of interest groups.
B)Members of Internet-based activist groups are less likely to be active participants than members of non-Internet-based groups.
C)"Sometimes-activists" are present in all types of interest groups.
D)None of these answers is correct.
9
Inducements to join an interest group based on the material benefits that the group will work for on your behalf are considered
A)purposive incentives.
B)ideological incentives.
C)solidary incentives.
D)None of these answers is correct.
10
Organizational resources of an interest group may include its
A)membership.
B)membership and finances.
C)finances and longevity.
D)membership, finances, and longevity.
11
Each of the following is an important aspect of a group's membership EXCEPT its
A)age.
B)size.
C)cohesion.
D)intensity.
12
The United Auto Workers is an example of a(n)
A)public interest group.
B)single issue group.
C)economic interest group.
D)umbrella organization.
13
Interest groups representing groups of industries or corporations are called
A)political action committees.
B)caucuses.
C)umbrella organizations.
D)cartels.
14
Of all interest groups, ________ probably have the most disproportionate amount of influence relative to their numbers in the general population.
A)labor interests
B)corporate interests
C)trade interests
D)agricultural interests
15
The situation where individuals are tempted not to contribute to a cause because they will get the benefits even if they do not participate is called the
A)size factor.
B)free-rider problem.
C)special interest paradox.
D)disincentive factor.
16
Which of the following is NOT true about public interest groups?
A)They are generally concerned with collective rather than private goods.
B)They focus primarily on issues of good governance.
C)They have a problem with free riders.
D)Their approach violates rational choice theory.
17
Recent research on joining public-interest groups has focused on benefits such as
A)purposive incentives.
B)social capital.
C)solidary incentives.
D)All these answers are correct.
18
Since 2000, the Christian Coalition has organized slates of candidates to run for
A)local school boards.
B)city councils.
C)state legislatures.
D)U.S. House and Senate seats.
19
When interest groups work to influence the election of candidates who support their issues, it is called
A)gerrymandering.
B)lobbying.
C)constituent pressure.
D)electioneering.
20
The web of connections among those concerned about a policy and those who create and administer the policy is referred to as a(n)
A)policy collective.
B)interest network.
C)iron triangle.
D)issue network.
21
Which of the following is NOT among the indirect methods of influencing public policy used by interest groups?
A)public outreach
B)electioneering
C)climate control
D)litigation
22
Which of the following is NOT among the direct methods of influencing public policy used by interest groups?
A)litigation
B)expert testimony at congressional hearings
C)working with a congressional staff to craft legislation
D)lobbying
23
The practice of using public outreach to build a favorable public opinion of the organization is called
A)social networking.
B)alliance building.
C)electioneering.
D)climate control.
24
Which of the following is most accurate about the contributions political action committees (PACs) make to congressional candidates?
A)They give more money to Democrats than to Republicans.
B)They give more money to Republicans than to Democrats.
C)They give more money to Republican senatorial candidates than to Democratic senatorial candidates, but in the House races the money is more evenly divided.
D)They give more money to Democratic senatorial candidates than to Republican senatorial candidates, but in the House races the money is more evenly divided.
25
Challengers to incumbents netted approximately ________ percent of total PAC contributions in 2008 elections.
A)13
B)21
C)36
D)47
Harrison: American Democracy Now, 2nd Edition
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