Chapter 6 Interest Groups Test Bank Answers

Chapter 6

Test Bank

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 01, Objective 6.1

1) Any formal organization of individuals or groups that seeks to influence government to promote their common cause is called a(n)

Feedback: conceptual

a. majority party.

b. focus group.

c. interest group.

d. plurality group.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 02, Objective 6.1

2) The idea that “competition keeps powerful interest groups in check and no single group dominates” is represented in

Feedback: conceptual

a. interest group theory.

b. pluralist theory.

c. elite theory.

d. transactional theory.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 03, Objective 6.1

3) The idea that “public policy is bought and sold like a commodity to the highest bidder” is represented in

Feedback: conceptual

a. interest group theory.

b. pluralist theory.

c. elite theory.

d. transactional theory.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 04, Objective 6.1

4) The idea that “groups that have greater resources are in a better position to accomplish their goals” is represented in

Feedback: conceptual

a. interest group theory.

b. pluralist theory.

c. elite theory.

d. transactional theory.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 05, Objective 6.1

5) Under the elite theory, most of those who are prominent in interest groups tend to be

Feedback: conceptual

a. college students.

b. in blue-collar jobs.

c. from the lower class.

d. from the upper class.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 06, Objective 6.1

6) Which theory of interest group participation best describes Texas?

Feedback: conceptual

a. Transaction theory

b. Pluralist theory

c. Elite theory

d. It is context dependent

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 07, Objective 6.2

7) You want clean air, more efficient government, and expanded civil rights. There are a dozen organizations that are working to ensure this goal. If you are thinking, “Why should I join if they’ll do the work without my help?” this would be an example of

Feedback: applied

a. plurality campaigns.

b. the public dilemma.

c. the collective action problem.

d. the free rider problem.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 08, Objective 6.2

8) Groups that advocate for the benefit of their members are called

Feedback: conceptual

a. private interest groups.

b. public interest groups.

c. free riders.

d. elite groups.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 09, Objective 6.2

9) An interest group provides a tote bag for those who join the group. The tote bag is an example of a(n)

Feedback: applied

a. selective benefit.

b. exclusive offer.

c. bribe.

d. membership perk.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 10, Objective 6.2

10) An interest group comprised of workers collectively advocating for higher wages and benefits is a

Feedback: conceptual

a. trade association.

b. union.

c. business group.

d. collective.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 11, Objective 6.2

11) The Chamber of Commerce, a group of small business owners, is an example of a(n)

Feedback: applied

a. business group.

b. labor union.

c. single-issue group.

d. identity group.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 12, Objective 6.2

12) Someone joins an interest group because they enjoy spending time with others who share their views. This is a _______ benefit.

Feedback: applied

a. purposive

b. solidarity

c. material

d. perk

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 13, Objective 6.2

13) Groups that benefit the public in general are called

Feedback: conceptual

a. private interest groups.

b. public interest groups.

c. free riders.

d. elite groups.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 14, Objective 6.2

14) Individuals who benefit from a publicly provided good or service without paying for it and actively supporting its acquisition are referred to as

Feedback: conceptual

a. private interest groups.

b. public interest groups.

c. free riders.

d. elite groups.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 15, Objective 6.2

15) Private goods made available to people who organize for a collective good are called _______ benefits.

Feedback: conceptual

a. group

b. selective

c. routine

d. free rider

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 16, Objective 6.2

16) Someone joins an interest group because being part of the group makes them feel like they are really making a difference. This is a _______ benefit.

Feedback: applied

a. perk

b. solidarity

c. purposive

d. material

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 17, Objective 6.3

17) _______ serve the interests of an industry, such as farmers, locksmiths, or realtors.

Feedback: conceptual

a. Business groups

b. Trade associations

c. Professional organizations

d. Industrial associations

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 18, Objective 6.3

18) _______ are groups that represent a specific occupation, such as doctors or lawyers.

Feedback: conceptual

a. Business groups

b. Trade associations

c. Professional organizations

d. Labor unions

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 19, Objective 6.3

19) How does union membership in Texas compare to states like Minnesota and California?

Feedback: applied

a. Texas has much lower membership rates.

b. Texas has much higher membership rates.

c. Their rates are about the same.

d. There are no unions in Texas.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 20, Objective 6.3

20) _______ represent the interests of specific groups based on such aspects as race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender, or income.

Feedback: conceptual

a. Single-issue groups

b. Trade associations

c. Identity groups

d. Labor unions

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 21, Objective 6.3

21) The Texas Rifle Association takes positions on only firearm-related issues. They have no position on taxes, poverty, or energy. They are a _______ group.

Feedback: applied

a. single-issue

b. public interest

c. narrowly focused

d. dedicated

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 22, Objective 6.3

22) Suppose the City of Dallas tries to persuade the state legislature to pass legislation that would benefit the city. This is an example of what kind of lobbying?

Feedback: applied

a. Government interest

b. Insider

c. Municipal

d. Local

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 23, Objective 6.3

23) Individual businesses and organizations representing many businesses often advocate on behalf of their own interests—and sometimes battle each other. These are referred to as

Feedback: conceptual

a. business groups.

b. trade associations.

c. professional organizations.

d. labor unions.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 24, Objective 6.4

24) Getting members of the general public who are interested in an issue to contact elected officials to persuade them on an issue is called

Feedback: conceptual

a. grassroots lobbying.

b. AstroTurf lobbying.

c. electioneering.

d. fundraising.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 25, Objective 6.4

25) What type of lobbying involves manufacturing public support and making it appear as though it was inspired organically by a swell of public opinion?

Feedback: conceptual

a. Grassroots lobbying

b. AstroTurf lobbying

c. Electioneering

d. Fundraising

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 26, Objective 6.4

26) Advertising (radio, mail, Internet, or television) for or against issues or candidates, granting endorsements, and raising funds is called:

Feedback: conceptual

a. grassroots lobbying.

b. AstroTurf lobbying.

c. electioneering.

d. fundraising.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 27, Objective 6.4

27) A legal filing with relevant opinions or information pertinent to a court case that affects a group’s interests, even if they are not directly part of the case, is called a(n)

Feedback: conceptual

a. abstract.

b. endorsement.

c. amicus curiae brief.

d. summary hearing.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 28, Objective 6.4

28) Direct communications with members of the legislative or executive branch of government to influence legislation or administrative action is referred to as

Feedback: conceptual

a. lobbying.

b. interest groups.

c. plying the president.

d. the bully pulpit.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 29, Objective 6.4

29) An interest group runs ads advocating for a candidate. This is an example of

Feedback: conceptual

a. public lobbying.

b. grassroots lobbying.

c. AstroTurf lobbying.

d. electioneering.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 30, Objective 6.4

30) Suppose an interest group wants to publicly urge its members to vote for a particular candidate. The group might _______ the candidate.

Feedback: applied

a. nominate

b. endorse

c. primary

d. repudiate

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 31, Objective 6.4

31) An interest group sends an e-mail to its members letting them know about actions the legislature has taken. This is an example of what role of interest groups?

Feedback: factual

a. Education

b. Citizen campaigns

c. Electioneering

d. Fundraising

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 32, Objective 6.5

32) Over the past 20 years, the number of lobbyists in Texas has

Feedback: factual

a. dropped to almost zero.

b. stayed the same.

c. increased.

d. decreased.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 33, Objective 6.5

33) Most lobbyists work on _______ issues.

Feedback: factual

a. military

b. identity

c. social

d. economic

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 34, Objective 6.5

34) A lobbyist appears at a committee hearing to _______ either for or against the issue.

Feedback: factual

a. espouse

b. testify

c. grandstand

d. electioneer

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 35, Objective 6.5

35) Suppose several interest groups decide to work together on a common cause. These groups have

Feedback: conceptual

a. electioneered.

b. testified.

c. merged.

d. built a coalition.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 36, Objective 6.5

36) The relationship that forms between interest groups, the legislature, and executive agency regulators in the policy formation and implementation process is sometimes referred to as

Feedback: conceptual

a. the Texas triangle.

b. the revolving door.

c. the three-edged sword.

d. the iron triangle.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 37, Objective 6.5

37) A lobbyist encourages a member of the legislature to make changes to a bill. What role of lobbying is the lobbyist engaged in?

Feedback: conceptual

a. Building coalitions

b. Commenting on rule making

c. Testifying at hearings

d. Shaping legislation

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 38, Objective 6.5

38) An interest group keeps an eye on the performance of a government program. This process is called

Feedback: conceptual

a. program monitoring.

b. citizen oversight.

c. bureaucratic surveillance.

d. bureaucratic assistance.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 39, Objective 6.5

39) When iron triangles develop around a single issue, the relationship is often called a(n)

Feedback: conceptual

a. political network.

b. issue network.

c. social network.

d. revolving network.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 40, Objective 6.5

40) When agency bureaucrats and legislators leave their jobs to become lobbyists, or vice versa, it is referred to as

Feedback: conceptual

a. the Texas triangle.

b. the revolving door.

c. the three-edged sword.

d. the iron triangle.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 41, Objective 6.5

41) How many years must Texas elected officials wait before becoming lobbyists in Texas?

Feedback: factual

a. 0

b. 2

c. 5

d. 10

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 42, Objective 6.5

42) The phenomenon whereby a government agency is “controlled” by the industries that it was designed to regulate is referred to as

Feedback: conceptual

a. the Texas triangle.

b. agency capture.

c. the green effect.

d. the iron triangle.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 43, Objective 6.6

43) If a lawmaker receives a gift from a lobbyist over a certain value, she must _______ it.

Feedback: factual

a. pay for

b. donate

c. refuse

d. report

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 44, Objective 6.6

44) In recent years, the Texas Ethics Commission has issued _______ rulings.

Feedback: factual

a. an increasing number of

b. few

c. many

d. no

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 45, Objective 6.6

45) Since 1991, the _______ has served as the primary agency for regulating and enforcing laws related to interest group lobbying and campaign disclosure.

Feedback: factual

a. Texas Safety and Integrity Elections Council

b. James Madison Commission

c. Texas Ethics Commission

d. Texas House Committee for Transparency

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 46, Objective 6.7

46) Deciding not to participate in a legislative activity as an elected official is known as

Feedback: conceptual

a. recusal.

b. forfeiture.

c. dereliction of duty.

d. mediation.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 47, Objective 6.7

47) The filing of a report that includes details about lawmakers’ personal finances or business dealings is known as

Feedback: conceptual

a. an annual report.

b. full access.

c. a disclosure.

d. a blind trust.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 48, Objective 6.7

48) Legislators frequently _______ themselves—elect not to participate in decisions—from issues in which they have a personal stake.

Feedback: conceptual

a. recuse

b. forfeit

c. derelict

d. mediate

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 49, Objective 6.7

49) Which government agency maintains records on lobbying activity?

Feedback: factual

a. The Texas Ethics Commission

b. The State House of Representatives

c. The attorney general

d. The secretary of state

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 50, Objective 6.7

50) Ethics reform tends to occur

Feedback: factual

a. when scandals emerge.

b. when a new governor is elected.

c. when new interest groups start lobbying.

d. after reapportionment.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 51, Objective 6.1

51) What is “pluralist theory”?

Feedback:

Competition keeps powerful interest groups in check and no single group dominates.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 52, Objective 6.1

52) What is “elite theory”?

Feedback:

Groups that have greater resources are in a better position to accomplish their goals.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 53, Objective 6.1

53) What is “transactional theory”?

Feedback:

Public policy is bought and sold like a commodity to the highest bidder.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 54, Objective 6.2

54) Define private interest groups.

Feedback:

Groups that advocate for the benefit of their members.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 55, Objective 6.2

55) Define public interest groups.

Feedback:

Groups that benefit the public in general.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 56, Objective 6.2

56) Explain the “free rider” problem.

Feedback:

A situation in which individuals benefit from a publicly provided good or service without paying for it and actively supporting its acquisition.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 57, Objective 6.5, Objective 6.5

57) What issue area has the most lobbyists?

Feedback:

More than 2,000 lobbyists lobby on behalf of business, commerce, and taxes, making it the leader among lobbyists.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 58, Objective 6.5

58) What types of things do lobbyists do in order to persuade legislators to vote the way they would like?

Feedback:

Shape legislation, comment on rulemaking, testify at hearings, educate members.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 59, Objective 6.5

59) Describe the “iron triangle.”

Feedback:

The relationship that forms between interest groups, the legislature, and executive agency regulators in the policy formation and implementation process.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 60, Objective 6.5

60) What is the “revolving door” in politics?

Feedback:

When agency bureaucrats and legislators leave their jobs to become lobbyists, or vice versa.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 61, Objective 6.2

61) Explain the difference between private and public interest groups, and the free rider problem.

Feedback:

Private interest groups are groups that advocate for the benefit of their members. Public interest groups are groups that benefit the public in general.

The difference lies in who they are advocating for, and who will benefit from their success.

The free rider problem is a situation in which individuals benefit from a publicly provided good or service without paying for it and actively supporting its acquisition.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 62, Objective 6.4

62) Describe “grassroots lobbying” and how it relates to the concept of “AstroTurf lobbying.”

Feedback:

Grassroots lobbying involves getting members of the general public who are interested in an issue to contact elected officials to persuade them on an issue.

AstroTurf lobbying involves manufacturing public support and making it appear as though it was inspired organically by a swell of public opinion.

One is a manifestation of a healthy democracy, the other is a misleading illusion of democracy.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 63, Objective 6.4

63) Explain when and how endorsements by interest groups influence election outcomes.

Feedback:

In the primary, the groups with the highest rate of successful endorsements were the Texas Home School Coalition, the Texas Rifle Association, the Texas Association of Business, and the Texas Alliance for Life.

Most groups, such as Empower Texans and the Conservative Republicans of Texas, were effective in the primary (endorsing the winning candidate 60-70 percent of the time), but were less successful in the runoff (30-35 percent of the time).

The most broadly conservative (religiously oriented and Tea Party–based) groups appear to have the least sway with Republican voters.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 64, Objective 6.4

64) How do interest groups interact with the judicial branch in Texas?

Feedback:

Interest groups directly lobby all three branches of government, including the courts, who are also part of the policymaking process.

Interest groups may file lawsuits or briefs to challenge policies that impact their members.

Interest groups also file amicus curiae briefs, literally “friend of the court” briefs, when they have relevant opinions or information pertinent to a case that affects their interests, even if they are not directly part of the case.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 06 Question 65, Objective 6.5

65) Explain the role of lobbyists.

Feedback:

When Andrew Jackson, “the people’s president,” first took office, Americans who were not allowed in the House or Senate chambers poured into the lobby of the White House to ply the president with their requests, hence the term “lobbying.”

Lobbyists in Texas are often called the “Third House,” the other two being the house and senate.

Lobbying includes direct communications with members of the legislative or executive branch of government to influence legislation or administrative action.

With the crack of the gavel convening the new legislative session, lobbyists begin the endless round of gratuities. They chat up the staff, offer to buy senators or representatives lunch or drinks, backslap those who respond to flattery, and keep a respectful distance from fiercely independent legislators.

Lobbyists make themselves essential to legislators by seeing to their needs, whether it is to run messages, obtain legal expertise, or just tell a good joke on a gloomy morning.