final psci 1101 exam with complete
solutions
interest groups - ANSWER-An organization of people who share common political
interests and aim to influence public policy by electioneering and lobbying.
linkage institutions - ANSWER-institutions such as political parties, interest groups, the
media, and elections that are channels through which individuals can communicate their
preferences to policy makers
interest group state - ANSWER-A government in which most policy decisions are
determined by the influence of interest groups.
centralized groups - ANSWER-Interest groups that have a headquarters, usually in
Washington, D.C., as well as members and field offices throughout the country. In
general, these groups' lobbying decisions are made at headquarters by the group
leaders.
Confederation - ANSWER-interests groups made up of several independent, local
organizations that provide much of their funding and hold most of the power
revolving door - ANSWER-The movement of individuals from government positions to
jobs with interest groups or lobbying firms, and vice versa.
iron triangles - ANSWER-informal alliance of elected officials, bureaucrats and interests
groups, designed to let these groups and individuals dominate the policy-making
process in a given area
mass associations - ANSWER-interest groups that have a large number of dues-paying
individuals as members
,peak associations - ANSWER-interest groups whose members are businesses or other
organizations rather than individuals
collective action problem - ANSWER-A situation in which the members of a group would
benefit by working together to produce some outcome, but each individual is better off
refusing to cooperate and reaping benefits from those who do the work.
free riding - ANSWER-Relying on others to contribute to a collective effort while failing
to participate on one's own behalf, yet still benefiting from the group's successes.
selective incentives - ANSWER-Benefits that can motivate participation in a group effort
because they are available only to those who participate, such as member services
offered by interest groups.
solidary benefits - ANSWER-Satisfaction derived from the experience of working with
like-minded people, even if the group's efforts do not achieve the desired impact.
purposive benefits - ANSWER-Satisfaction derived from the experience of working
toward a desired policy goal, even if the goal is not achieved.
coercion - ANSWER-A method of eliminating nonparticipation or free riding by potential
group members by requiring participation, as in many labor unions.
material benefits - ANSWER-Benefits that are provided to individuals for joining a group,
such as a coffee mug or a T-shirt, that are distinct from the collective benefits provided
by the group.
inside strategies - ANSWER-The tactics employed within Washington, D.C., by interest
groups seeking to achieve their policy goals.
outside strategies - ANSWER-The tactics employed outside Washington, D.C., by
interest groups seeking to achieve their policy goals.
direct lobbying - ANSWER-attempts by interest group staff to influence policy by
speaking with elected officials or bureaucrats
, grassroots lobbying - ANSWER-A lobbying strategy that relies on participation by group
members, such as a protest or a letter-writing campaign.
astroturf lobbying - ANSWER-Any lobbying method initiated by an interest group that is
designed to look like the spontaneous, independent participation of many individuals.
Political Action Committee (PAC) - ANSWER-An interest group or a division of an
interest group that can raise money to contribute to campaigns or to spend on ads in
support of candidates. The amount a PAC can receive from each of its donors and the
amount it can spend on federal electioneering are strictly limited.
527 organizations - ANSWER-A tax-exempt group formed primarily to influence
elections through voter mobilization efforts and issue ads that do not directly endorse or
oppose a candidate. Unlike political action committees, they are not subject to
contribution limits and spending caps.
Referendum - ANSWER-A direct vote by citizens on a policy change proposed by a
legislature or another government body. Referenda are common in state and local
elections, but there is no mechanism for a national-level referendum.
Initiative - ANSWER-A direct vote by citizens on a policy change proposed by fellow
citizens or organized groups outside government. Getting a question on the ballot
typically requires collecting a set number of signatures from registered voters in support
of the proposal. There is no mechanism for a national-level initiative.
Salience - ANSWER-the level of familiarity with an interest group's goals among the
general population
Bicameralism - ANSWER-The system of having two chambers within one legislative
body, like the House and Senate in the U.S. Congress.
permanent campaign - ANSWER-The continual quest for reelection that is rooted in
high-cost professional campaigns that are increasingly reliant on consultants and
expensive media campaigns.
pork barrel - ANSWER-Legislative appropriations that benefit specific constituents,
created with the aim of helping local representatives win reelection.
solutions
interest groups - ANSWER-An organization of people who share common political
interests and aim to influence public policy by electioneering and lobbying.
linkage institutions - ANSWER-institutions such as political parties, interest groups, the
media, and elections that are channels through which individuals can communicate their
preferences to policy makers
interest group state - ANSWER-A government in which most policy decisions are
determined by the influence of interest groups.
centralized groups - ANSWER-Interest groups that have a headquarters, usually in
Washington, D.C., as well as members and field offices throughout the country. In
general, these groups' lobbying decisions are made at headquarters by the group
leaders.
Confederation - ANSWER-interests groups made up of several independent, local
organizations that provide much of their funding and hold most of the power
revolving door - ANSWER-The movement of individuals from government positions to
jobs with interest groups or lobbying firms, and vice versa.
iron triangles - ANSWER-informal alliance of elected officials, bureaucrats and interests
groups, designed to let these groups and individuals dominate the policy-making
process in a given area
mass associations - ANSWER-interest groups that have a large number of dues-paying
individuals as members
,peak associations - ANSWER-interest groups whose members are businesses or other
organizations rather than individuals
collective action problem - ANSWER-A situation in which the members of a group would
benefit by working together to produce some outcome, but each individual is better off
refusing to cooperate and reaping benefits from those who do the work.
free riding - ANSWER-Relying on others to contribute to a collective effort while failing
to participate on one's own behalf, yet still benefiting from the group's successes.
selective incentives - ANSWER-Benefits that can motivate participation in a group effort
because they are available only to those who participate, such as member services
offered by interest groups.
solidary benefits - ANSWER-Satisfaction derived from the experience of working with
like-minded people, even if the group's efforts do not achieve the desired impact.
purposive benefits - ANSWER-Satisfaction derived from the experience of working
toward a desired policy goal, even if the goal is not achieved.
coercion - ANSWER-A method of eliminating nonparticipation or free riding by potential
group members by requiring participation, as in many labor unions.
material benefits - ANSWER-Benefits that are provided to individuals for joining a group,
such as a coffee mug or a T-shirt, that are distinct from the collective benefits provided
by the group.
inside strategies - ANSWER-The tactics employed within Washington, D.C., by interest
groups seeking to achieve their policy goals.
outside strategies - ANSWER-The tactics employed outside Washington, D.C., by
interest groups seeking to achieve their policy goals.
direct lobbying - ANSWER-attempts by interest group staff to influence policy by
speaking with elected officials or bureaucrats
, grassroots lobbying - ANSWER-A lobbying strategy that relies on participation by group
members, such as a protest or a letter-writing campaign.
astroturf lobbying - ANSWER-Any lobbying method initiated by an interest group that is
designed to look like the spontaneous, independent participation of many individuals.
Political Action Committee (PAC) - ANSWER-An interest group or a division of an
interest group that can raise money to contribute to campaigns or to spend on ads in
support of candidates. The amount a PAC can receive from each of its donors and the
amount it can spend on federal electioneering are strictly limited.
527 organizations - ANSWER-A tax-exempt group formed primarily to influence
elections through voter mobilization efforts and issue ads that do not directly endorse or
oppose a candidate. Unlike political action committees, they are not subject to
contribution limits and spending caps.
Referendum - ANSWER-A direct vote by citizens on a policy change proposed by a
legislature or another government body. Referenda are common in state and local
elections, but there is no mechanism for a national-level referendum.
Initiative - ANSWER-A direct vote by citizens on a policy change proposed by fellow
citizens or organized groups outside government. Getting a question on the ballot
typically requires collecting a set number of signatures from registered voters in support
of the proposal. There is no mechanism for a national-level initiative.
Salience - ANSWER-the level of familiarity with an interest group's goals among the
general population
Bicameralism - ANSWER-The system of having two chambers within one legislative
body, like the House and Senate in the U.S. Congress.
permanent campaign - ANSWER-The continual quest for reelection that is rooted in
high-cost professional campaigns that are increasingly reliant on consultants and
expensive media campaigns.
pork barrel - ANSWER-Legislative appropriations that benefit specific constituents,
created with the aim of helping local representatives win reelection.
