GOV Midterm PT.5 PRESSURE GROUPS Exam
Questions and Answers with 100% Correct Answers
Question 1.
What are pressure groups?
Correct Answer: Private organizations which try to persuade public officials (at all
levels of government) to respond to the shared attitudes of their members. (citizens
influencing public policy).
Question 2.
What are the benefits and criti- cisms of these groups?
Correct Answer: BENEFITS:1) These groups help to stir up public interest, debate,
and discussion on a wide variety of public issues and policies. 2) These
organizations represent their members of the basis of shared attitudes (not solely
based on geography or location - worldwide.) 3) Organized interests often provide
detailed and special- ized information on many different issues. (They may have
access to specialized information) 4) These groups also add another element to
democracy as a system of checks andCRITICISMS: 1) Some groups have a greater
influence over government that is far out of proportion to their size. 2) It is difficult
to tell who or how many people are repre- sented by these groups. (Group names
can be mislead- ing.) 3) Many groups don't often represent the views of all the
members that belong. (Leadership may be forced to take a different view.) 4)
Unfortunately, some of these groups use tactics that un- dermine the American
political system. (bribery, extortion, violence, threats)
Question 3.
What are the recent trends re- garding these groups?
Correct Answer: 1) Since the 1960's, there has been a proliferation of inter- est
groups in the U.S. 2) Many of these groups have their headquarters in Wash- ington
D.C. in order to have greater access to the govern- ment. 3) Major technological
advances have allowed for signifi- cant grassroots lobbying. 4) The rise of
single-issue interest groups. 5) A change in campaign laws have brought about the
rise of PACs. (Political action committees) 6) The widespread growth of political
and economic inter- est in the actions of Congress. 7) The continuing decline of
political parties to perform key electoral/policy activities. 8) The growth of public
interest groups that seek to benefit all Americans.
Question 4.
What are PAC's (Political Action Committees)?
Correct Answer: the vehicle by which groups, unions, and corporations can
register with the FEC to give money to a politician or a political group
Questions and Answers with 100% Correct Answers
Question 1.
What are pressure groups?
Correct Answer: Private organizations which try to persuade public officials (at all
levels of government) to respond to the shared attitudes of their members. (citizens
influencing public policy).
Question 2.
What are the benefits and criti- cisms of these groups?
Correct Answer: BENEFITS:1) These groups help to stir up public interest, debate,
and discussion on a wide variety of public issues and policies. 2) These
organizations represent their members of the basis of shared attitudes (not solely
based on geography or location - worldwide.) 3) Organized interests often provide
detailed and special- ized information on many different issues. (They may have
access to specialized information) 4) These groups also add another element to
democracy as a system of checks andCRITICISMS: 1) Some groups have a greater
influence over government that is far out of proportion to their size. 2) It is difficult
to tell who or how many people are repre- sented by these groups. (Group names
can be mislead- ing.) 3) Many groups don't often represent the views of all the
members that belong. (Leadership may be forced to take a different view.) 4)
Unfortunately, some of these groups use tactics that un- dermine the American
political system. (bribery, extortion, violence, threats)
Question 3.
What are the recent trends re- garding these groups?
Correct Answer: 1) Since the 1960's, there has been a proliferation of inter- est
groups in the U.S. 2) Many of these groups have their headquarters in Wash- ington
D.C. in order to have greater access to the govern- ment. 3) Major technological
advances have allowed for signifi- cant grassroots lobbying. 4) The rise of
single-issue interest groups. 5) A change in campaign laws have brought about the
rise of PACs. (Political action committees) 6) The widespread growth of political
and economic inter- est in the actions of Congress. 7) The continuing decline of
political parties to perform key electoral/policy activities. 8) The growth of public
interest groups that seek to benefit all Americans.
Question 4.
What are PAC's (Political Action Committees)?
Correct Answer: the vehicle by which groups, unions, and corporations can
register with the FEC to give money to a politician or a political group
