Chapter 4 – Political Parties and Interest Groups Reading Comprehension Quiz Multiple Choice Questions 1. An organization that seeks political power by electing people to office who will help party positions and philosophy become public policy is called A. an interest group. B. a political action committee. C. an iron triangle. D. an interest circle. E. a political party. Answer: E 2. Open primaries permit what kind of voting? A. Electronic only B. Paper ballot only C. Crossover D. Electronic and paper ballot E. Convention/caucus hybrid Answer: C 3. In spite of the existence of many minor parties, the United States remains A. a two-party system. B. a parliamentary system. C. a third-party system. D. a proportional representation system. E. a multiparty system. Answer: A 4. Turning points that define the agenda of politics and the association of voters within parties during periods of historic change in the economy and society are called A. historic elections. B. realigning elections. C. landslide elections. D. executive elections. E. laissez-faire elections. Answer: B 5. Party regulars A. place the party first. B. place a candidate first. C. work with single issues. D. do not compromise their principles to win elections. E. None of the above Answer: A 6. The __________, a piece of campaign finance reform legislation, sought to restrict soft money at the federal level. A. Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act B. McCain-Feingold Act C. Campaign Contribution Reform Act D. Donation Restriction Act E. Campaign Finance Reform Act Answer: A 7. Acknowledging that we live in a maze of group interests, Madison argued that the “most common and durable source of factions has been A. cured by the nature of man.” B. the various and unequal distribution of property.” C. the common impulse of passion or of interest.” D. removed from the Union.” E. a sense of justice and higher purpose.” Answer: B 8. Compared to other industrialized democracies, the U.S. workforce A. is more unionized. B. is making significant strides in unionization of the work force. C. has similar levels of unionization. D. is not unionized at all. E. is less unionized. Answer: E 9. A company with a labor agreement under which union membership cannot be required as a condition of employment is called A. a free rider. B. a 527 group. C. an open shop. D. a half rider. E. an independent group. Answer: C 10. When groups find the normal political process unresponsive to their agenda, they may turn to A. litigation. B. propaganda. C. making new rules. D. county officials. E. congressional committees. Answer: A 11. The practice of collecting donations from several individuals and giving them to a candidate as a package is called A. bipartisan giving. B. quid quo pro. C. soft money. D. bundling. E. amicus curiae. Answer: D 12. Interest groups form political action committees (PACs), which are the legal mechanism for them to A. dispute judicial rulings. B. become partisan interest groups. C. provide their internal candidate performance analysis a public hearing. D. contribute money to candidates and political party committees. E. form third parties, such as the Green Party. Answer: D 13. Moving from a government job to a job with an interest group—or vice versa—is so common that this career path is called the A. iron triangle. B. revolving door. C. patronage system. D. issue networking path. E. section 504 group. Answer: B 14. Independent expenditures, money spent on behalf of a political party or a candidate that is truly independent of the party or candidate, by an unrelated group are A. unlimited in any way but must be disclosed to the Federal Elections Commission. B. limited by PAC rules. C. unlimited only during election years. D. donated by political parties. E. limited by the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act. Answer: A 15. One of the main arguments against interest groups is that they A. do not represent people equally. B. cause too much disagreement. C. are too partisan. D. do not value other opinions. E. often use the judicial system. Answer: A True/False Questions 1. Parties exist primarily as organizing mechanisms for winning elections. Answer: True 2. American political parties exercise tight control over who is allowed to run for public office. Answer: False 3. The supreme authority in both major parties is the national party convention. Answer: True 4. The restriction of soft money led to a surge in individual contributions. Answer: True 5. With the 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act in effect, soft-money contributions to the national committees are banned. Answer: True 6. A defining characteristic of interest groups is their formal organization. Answer: False 7. Union membership in the United States is low compared to Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. Answer: True 8. Surprisingly, the Internet has slowed the mobilization efforts of most interest groups. Answer: False 9. Moving from a government job to a job in an interest group is very common. Answer: True 10. PACs give most of their donations to incumbents. Answer: True Chapter Examination Multiple Choice Questions 1. The party that controls the White House, the governor’s mansion, or city hall gets ___________, which means it can select party members as public officials or judges. A. caucus B. honeymoon C. patronage D. convention E. crossover Answer: C 2. Local and judicial elections in most states are __________________, which means that no political affiliation is indicated. A. unipartisan B. bipartisan C. tripartisan D. nonpartisan E. partisan Answer: D 3. The functions of political parties include all of the following EXCEPT A. determining the nature of foreign policy. B. organizing the competition. C. unifying the electorate. D. helping organize government. E. providing loyal opposition. Answer: A 4. The winners of the White House have how many patronage jobs to distribute? A. 1,000 B. 2,000 C. 3,000 D. 4,000 E. 5,000 Answer: C 5. There is usually a polite interval following an election, known as the ___________, after which the opposition party begins to criticize the party that controls the White House. A. caucus B. honeymoon C. patronage D. convention E. crossover Answer: B 6. This method of nomination operated for several decades after the United States was established. A. Party convention B. Caucus C. Honeymoon D. Direct primary E. Crossover vote Answer: B 7. In states with a(n)_______________, any voter, regardless of party, can participate in the primary of whichever party he or she chooses. A. direct primary B. open primary C. closed primary D. crossover primary E. blanket primary Answer: B 8. What kind of primary permits voters to vote for a candidate of one party for one office and for a candidate from another party for another office? A. Direct primary B. Open primary C. Closed primary D. Crossover primary E. Blanket primary Answer: E 9. A closed primary is one in which A. no votes are counted whatsoever. B. voters can only vote if they have made a campaign contribution. C. nonbinding decisions about party preference are decided. D. delegates to a party caucus are selected. E. voters can only vote in their own party’s primary. Answer: E 10. During the 1830s and 1840s, a new system was instituted in which delegates chosen directly by party members in towns and cities were assigned the task of selecting party candidates. They debated and adopted a platform and built party spirit by celebrating noisily. This system is called a A. party caucus. B. party convention. C. party primary. D. party crossover. E. party congress. Answer: B 11. Most party candidates are nominated by A. party conventions. B. party caucuses. C. blanket primaries. D. direct primaries. E. party delegates. Answer: D 12. A parliamentary system usually has a head of state and a A. lack of political parties. B. single-party system. C. president. D. prime minister. E. problem with party loyalty. Answer: D 13. When a political party receives a number of legislators corresponding to their percentage of the vote, winners are determined by A. direct election. B. winner take all. C. third parties. D. proportional representation. E. coalition. Answer: D 14. The longest persisting minor political parties usually form around A. a charismatic leader. B. an ideology. C. a realigning election. D. a single issue. E. None of the above Answer: B 15. Realigning elections are characterized by A. intense voter involvement. B. disruptions of traditional voting patterns. C. changes in the relationships of power within the broader political community. D. the formation of new and durable electoral groupings. E. All of the above Answer: E 16. The importance of political parties to the operation of local and state government A. reflects that of the national party’s importance. B. is relatively low. C. varies quite a bit. D. is always quite high. E. is high in the localities but low in the states. Answer: C 17. Judges do NOT sit together by party because A. they have no party affiliation. B. they are not allowed to by the Constitution. C. they don’t have enough members to form meaningful coalitions. D. they are forbidden by party leaders. E. the judicial branch operates in a nonpartisan manner. Answer: E 18. Your text asserts that, with regard to political parties, most people A. don’t think parties are necessary. B. would prefer that party labels were absent from ballots. C. have most of the new ideas. D. are critical and distrustful of them. E. do not identify with any party. Answer: D 19. The institutional characteristics of political parties include A. national party leadership. B. state and local party participation. C. party platforms. D. All of the above E. national party leadership and party platforms only. Answer: D 20. The supreme authority in both major parties is the A. national party chair. B. national party committee. C. national platform committee. D. national party convention. E. national party president. Answer: D 21. The top official of each of the two major parties is called the A. national committee president. B. national committee chair. C. national convention chair. D. White House chair. E. national party president. Answer: B 22. For the party that controls the White House, the national party chair actually serves at the pleasure of the A. party leaders. B. campaign contributors. C. president. D. congressional leadership. E. national platform committee. Answer: C 23. Which of the following is true about party platforms? A. They are intentionally ambiguous. B. They are read by most party supporters. C. They are rewritten every year. D. They are designed to confront the other party. E. They require very little compromise. Answer: A 24. What determines the composition of the party’s state committees and regulates them? A. Party tradition B. Strict party rules C. State law D. National election campaign regulations E. Local party officials Answer: C 25. The county committee of a political party is A. better organized than the state committee. B. waning as the state committee exerts control. C. in charge of selecting state level candidates. D. variable, with some very active and organized while others are quiescent. E. usually flooded with candidates for local offices. Answer: D 26. Members of the congressional majority party always control A. the chairships of all standing committees. B. who serves as staff of the minority party. C. cabinet appointments. D. White House appointments. E. the presidency. Answer: A 27. Required by some states when one registers to vote, ____________ is the act of declaring party affiliation. A. party registration B. realignment C. proportional representation D. party identification E. primary contact Answer: A 28. Party registration is accomplished at the A. local level. B. state level. C. national level. D. Any of the above levels E. None of the above levels Answer: B 29. The judicial branch of the government A. is expressly nonpartisan in operation. B. groups judges by political party. C. expects large political contributions. D. often is the source of minor parties. E. makes sure that political parties form. Answer: A 30. Party members who follow a particular candidate, and who see the party as the means to place their candidate in power, are termed A. party regulars. B. candidate activists. C. issue activists. D. lobbyists. E. chairmen. Answer: B 31. When people abandon political parties to become Independents, it is called A. unalignment. B. dealignment. C. nonpartisan. D. realignment. E. pre-alignment. Answer: B 32. The person least likely to vote is a A. strong Democrat. B. pure Independent. C. weak Republican. D. middle-of-the-road Democrat. E. Green Party member. Answer: B 33. With the 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act in effect, A. party contributions to candidates are no longer allowed. B. soft-money contributions to the national committees are banned. C. individual contributions to candidates are limited. D. contributions to parties are limited to ten thousand dollars per person. E. corporations and unions may now contribute as much money as they want to. Answer: B 34. Money that was donated to a party, as opposed to money spent with the explicit purpose of promoting the election or defeat of a specific candidate, is called A. soft money. B. hard money. C. party money. D. unregulated money. E. 501(c) money. Answer: A 35. In 2000, all parties combined raised how much soft money? A. 100 million dollars B. 200 million dollars C. 300 million dollars D. 400 million dollars E. 500 million dollars Answer: E 36. The restriction of soft money led to a surge in what kind of contributions? A. Individual B. Corporate C. Illegal D. Union E. Federal Answer: A 37. The constitutional idea of pluralism envisions a plurality of groups A. helping to raise taxes. B. competing with the government. C. extending suffrage to more citizens. D. competing with each other. E. helping to lower taxes. Answer: D 38. Interest groups are sometimes pejoratively called A. closed shops. B. free riders. C. special interests. D. union busters. E. moralists. Answer: C 39. What are people who share a common attitude toward an issue called when they join together to influence the government for specific ends? A. A movement B. A political action committee C. An audit panel D. An interest group E. A pluralism board Answer: D 40. The term used to refer to competition among open, responsive, and diverse groups that helps preserve democratic values and limits the concentration of power in any single group is A. interest group pluralism. B. diversity of interest groups. C. factional grouping. D. trade association. E. displacement of factions. Answer: A 41. Organized in 1912, the broadest business trade association is the A. Chamber of Commerce. B. Better Business Bureau. C. Independent Insurance Agents of America. D. Association of Realtors. E. National Association of Manufacturers. Answer: A 42. The least unionized industrial democracy is A. France. B. Belgium. C. Italy. D. Denmark. E. Austria. Answer: A 43. When a person benefits from the work or service of an organization like a union without joining or contributing to it, this person is referred to as A. a union buster. B. a free rider C. a manager. D. a union delegate. E. an outside agitator. Answer: B 44. Members of ideological groups often focus on A. an inability to pay dues. B. limited time. C. single issues. D. ethical concerns. E. religious convictions. Answer: C 45. __________ started many consumer organizations, now known as the Public Interest Research groups, that investigate and report on government action relating to consumer interests. A. Bill Clinton B. Harry Truman C. Barack Obama D. Ralph Nader E. Lyndon Johnson Answer: D 46. The founders of the Republic were very worried about groups with common interests, which they called A. parties. B. movements. C. syndicates. D. factions. E. interests. Answer: D 47. Most large interest groups try to A. unseat incumbents. B. target challengers for public office. C. be nonpartisan. D. find a “winner” to support. E. remain neutral during elections. Answer: C 48. Lobby groups exert influence in the following ways EXCEPT A. the use of the media to influence the public. B. mass mailing to the public. C. direct contact with government. D. protest. E. setting up college funds for politicians’ children. Answer: E 49. Which of the following activities is NOT legally engaged in by lobbyists who are in direct contact with the government? A. Preparing written responses to proposed rules B. Sending payment to the legislative staffers who assist them C. Going to court D. Trying to obtain reinterpretation of rules or regulations E. Drafting alternative rules Answer: B 50. Which of the following is NOT one of the most important characteristics of an interest group? A. Size B. Incentives to participate C. Patriotism D. Cohesiveness E. Leadership Answer: C 51. Associations can gain a forum for their views by filing A. amicus curiae briefs. B. writs of certiorari. C. writs of habeas corpus. D. mandamus briefs. E. estoppels and injunctions. Answer: A 52. The “spread” of an interest group refers to A. its ability to mobilize people quickly. B. the number of senators it has on its side. C. the financial resources it possesses. D. whether its membership is concentrated or dispersed. E. the number of members it has. Answer: D 53. This party was formed in the mid-1840s to work against the spread of slavery in the territories. A. Prohibition Party B. National Republican Party C. Free-Soil Party D. Whig Party E. Know-Nothing Party Answer: C 54. In the text, individuals who try to influence policy decisions and positions are defined as A. campaign strategists. B. political consultants. C. policy wonks. D. pollsters. E. lobbyists. Answer: E 55. Relationships among interest groups, congressional committees and subcommittees, and the government agencies that share a common policy concern are called A. revolving doors. B. wired networks. C. PACs. D. lobby anvils. E. issue networks. Answer: E 56. A PAC is A. the political arm of an interest group. B. the same as a 401K group. C. prohibited from donating money to campaigns. D. decreasing in election influence. E. the same as a 527 group. Answer: A 57. The majority of PACs are related to what interest? A. Corporate B. Agricultural C. Labor D. Environmental E. Government Answer: A 58. PACs tend to donate more money to A. Democrats. B. Republicans. C. challengers. D. outsiders. E. incumbents. Answer: E 59. A PAC that is formed by an elected official who uses it to collect contributions from individuals and other PACs, and then makes contributions to candidates and their party, is called A. bipartisan. B. leadership. C. advocacy. D. committee. E. recall. Answer: B 60. Which political party received the most support from 501(c) organizations in 2004? A. Democratic B. Republican C. Green D. Libertarian E. Natural Law Answer: B 61. What is a significant difference between 527 interest groups and 501(c) interest groups? A. Some things that 501(c)s do make individual donations to the group tax deductible. B. Some things that 527s do make individual donations to the group tax deductible. C. 527s always have more members than 501(c)s. D. Members of 527s are required to take an oath. E. Members of 501(c)s are required to take an oath. Answer: A 62. President Dwight Eisenhower used his Farewell Address to warn against A. third-party candidates. B. special interests. C. the military-industrial complex. D. the alliance of automotive industries and the oil industry. E. handgun control. Answer: C 63. According to your text, some groups are better _____________________, allowing them a decided advantage over other groups. A. organized and financed B. at slinging mud C. connected to the government D. at communicating in the press E. managed Answer: A 64. The existence of a multiplicity of interests often leads to A. incoherent policies. B. inefficiency. C. delay as lawmakers try to appease conflicting interests. D. All of the above E. None of the above Answer: D 65. Fewer interest groups represent _______________ than represent senior citizens or corporations. A. women B. lobbyists C. young people D. Democrats E. conservatives Answer: C 66. The propensity of interest groups to support incumbents in elections increases the advantages of incumbency, A. which is often seen as undesirable. B. which is their saving grace. C. which is currently under review by the Supreme Court. D. which makes elections inherently unfair. E. which is the subject of current congressional investigation. Answer: A 67. In 1921, President Warren G. Harding’s administration allowed private companies to secretly lease public land in order to extract oil that had been reserved for the navy. This was called the A. Keating Five scandal. B. Teapot Dome scandal. C. Tippy Canoe and Tyler Too. D. Petticoat Affair. E. October Surprise. Answer: B True/False Questions 1. According to the text, political parties in the United States are fixed in number at two by the Constitution. Answer: False 2. In the twentieth century, no third-party candidate has come close to winning a presidential election. Answer: True 3. Minor parties built around a charismatic leader tend to last longer than other kinds of minor parties. Answer: False 4. When a voter must be registered with a party to vote in the primary it is called a direct primary. Answer: False 5. If the United States changed to a winner-take-all system of elections, third-party candidates would have a better chance of winning election to state and national offices. Answer: False 6. Minor parties have never won more than a handful of congressional seats. Answer: True 7. The top official of each of the two major parties is called the party president. Answer: False 8. Party platforms are intentionally ambiguous. Answer: True 9. State law determines the composition of the party’s state committees and regulates them. Answer: True 10. The county committee of a political party is variable, with some very active and organized while others are quiescent. Answer: True 11. Required by some states when one registers to vote, realignment is the act of declaring party affiliation. Answer: False 12. Party members who follow a particular candidate and who see the party as the means to place their candidate in power are termed lobbyists. Answer: False 13. When people abandon political parties to become Independents, it is called dealignment. Answer: True 14. The current trend of both national parties is toward weaker state party organizations. Answer: False 15. Congressional staffs are partisan. Answer: True 16. Party regulars would rather lose the election than compromise. Answer: False 17. Money donated to a party, as opposed to money spent with the explicit purpose of promoting the election or defeat of a specific candidate, is called soft money. Answer: True 18. Following the passage of the 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, there has been a drop in party independent expenditure activity. Answer: False 19. Compared to other countries, the U.S. has more public funding of political parties and candidates. Answer: False 20. After the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act went into effect, the amount of hard money raised exceeded the parties’ soft-money totals in the previous election. Answer: True 21. Individuals and groups are allowed to spend unlimited amounts of money to support a candidate so long as this spending is independent of the candidate or a party committee. Answer: True 22. The framers of the Constitution were worried about factions. Answer: True 23. Madison believed that the effects of factions could NOT be controlled. Answer: False 24. An interest group is referred to as a “special interest group” when it runs afoul of the rules governing donations. Answer: False 25. The broadest business trade association is the National Association of Realtors. Answer: False 26. The American workforce is the most unionized of almost any industrial democracy. Answer: False 27. Closed shops do NOT allow union workers to be hired. Answer: False 28. Free riders receive the benefits of membership without joining or paying dues. Answer: True 29. City and state governments don’t usually form interest groups. Answer: False 30. The framers of the Constitution envisioned that only two major factions could become influential. Answer: False 31. An interest group’s size is probably less important than its number of active members. Answer: True 32. The Internet helps interest groups by opening exclusively online forms of political action. Answer: True 33. An amicus curiae brief is a means for an interest group to put forth its views. Answer: True 34. The “A Day Without Immigrants” protest in Los Angeles was organized to shed light on the negative impact of illegal aliens on the U.S. economy. Answer: False 35. The term lobbyists refers to people who indirectly try to influence policy through activities such as organizing others to write letters. Answer: False 36. Elected officials are prohibited from creating a political action committee. Answer: False 37. The most important thing lobbyists provide to members of Congress is money. Answer: True 38. The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act doubled individual campaign contribution limits. Answer: True 39. The majority of PACs are labor PACs. Answer: False 40. Independent expenditures enable groups to direct unlimited amounts of money to a particular race. Answer: True 41. 501(c) group donations are NOT tax deductible. Answer: False 42. Political action committees (PACs) raise money for election campaigns by soliciting voluntary contributions from members or employees. Answer: True 43. A citizen of the United States may spend unlimited funds in donations to political candidates. Answer: False 44. President Reagan warned against the “military industrial complex.” Answer: False 45. One of the main arguments against interest groups is that they do NOT represent people equally. Answer: True 46. Most universities and colleges retain a lobbyist to help them secure the support of government. Answer: True 47. Concern about the evils of interest groups is relatively new. Answer: False Short Answer Questions 1. Name three functions of political parties. Answer: Functions of Political Parties: • Candidate Selection: Choose and endorse candidates for elections. • Policy Formulation: Develop and promote policy platforms and agendas. • Voter Mobilization: Encourage and organize voter participation in elections. 2. What is the difference between a closed and open primary? Answer: Closed vs. Open Primary: • Closed Primary: Only registered party members can vote in their party’s primary. • Open Primary: Any registered voter can participate in any party's primary. 3. Name three characteristics of multiparty systems. Answer: Characteristics of Multiparty Systems: • Multiple Parties: Several parties compete for power. • Proportional Representation: Seats are often allocated based on vote percentages. • Coalition Governments: Parties may need to form alliances to govern. 4. Describe three ways minor parties in the United States have been organized. Answer: Organization of Minor Parties: • Ideological Parties: Based on specific political ideologies (e.g., Libertarian Party). • Single-Issue Parties: Focused on one major issue (e.g., Green Party). • Splinter Parties: Breakaways from larger parties due to internal disputes (e.g., Bull Moose Party). 5. Identify and discuss three institutional characteristics of political parties. Answer: Institutional Characteristics of Political Parties: • Party Organization: Structured with national, state, and local levels. • Party Leadership: Includes national committee chairs and party leaders. • Party Platforms: Develops formal policy positions and goals. 6. Describe the role of political parties in the legislature as fully as you can. Answer: Role of Political Parties in the Legislature: • Legislation: Draft, sponsor, and vote on bills according to party lines. • Committee Work: Influence committee assignments and priorities. • Party Discipline: Enforce party discipline and cohesion among members. 7. Identify and discuss the differences among the three categories of party activists. Answer: Party Activist Categories: • Ideological Activists: Driven by strong political beliefs and work to promote specific ideologies. • Party Loyalists: Focus on supporting their party's candidates and maintaining party strength. • Issue-Oriented Activists: Engage primarily in advocacy for particular issues or causes. 8. Consider the characteristics of realignments and dealignments. Identify three of those characteristics and discuss whether or not you believe the party system is undergoing either one. Answer: Characteristics of Realignments and Dealings: • Realignments: Major shifts in party support, often with new dominant issues and coalitions. Example: 1960s civil rights era changes. • Dealignments: Decline in party loyalty and identification, leading to increased independents. Example: Rising number of independents in recent elections. • Current Trend: The U.S. shows elements of dealignment, with a growing segment of voters identifying as independents. 9. Differentiate hard from soft money and discuss how such spending has changed over time. Answer: Hard vs. Soft Money: • Hard Money: Regulated contributions directly to candidates and parties. Example: Limited amounts as per federal law. • Soft Money: Unregulated funds for party activities and “issue ads.” Change: Post-BCRA (2002), soft money was restricted, but super PACs have since emerged for similar purposes. 10. Define independent expenditures and discuss how their importance has changed over time. Answer: Independent Expenditures: • Definition: Spending by outside groups on political campaigns independent of candidates. • Change Over Time: Increased significantly after the Citizens United (2010) ruling, allowing greater spending and influence by super PACs. 11. Define pluralism as it exists in the United States. Answer: Pluralism: • Definition: A political system where multiple groups compete for influence, ensuring that no single group dominates. 12. Differentiate an open-shop from a closed-shop state. Answer: Open-Shop vs. Closed-Shop State: • Open-Shop: Workers are not required to join a union to get or keep a job. • Closed-Shop: Employers must hire union members only, and workers must join a union to be employed. 13. Who are free riders? Provide an example. Answer: Free Riders: Individuals who benefit from a group's efforts without contributing to its cost. Example: A person enjoys the benefits of a clean environment but does not participate in or donate to environmental organizations. 14. Who are members of professional associations? Answer: Members of Professional Associations: Individuals working in specific professions who join organizations that advocate for their interests and provide networking and resources. Example: Doctors joining the American Medical Association (AMA). 15. What is significant about the Federal Register? Answer: Federal Register: An official journal of the U.S. government that publishes proposed and final regulations, executive orders, and notices of federal agencies, providing transparency and public access to government actions. 16. What is the practice of bundling? Answer: Bundling: The practice of combining multiple political contributions from various individuals into one large donation to increase influence with a candidate or party. 17. Define lobbying and discuss what lobbyists do. Answer: Lobbying: The act of influencing government decisions and policy through direct communication with legislators and officials. Lobbyists work to advocate for specific interests and provide expertise on issues. 18. Describe the concept of revolving door as described in your text. Answer: Revolving Door: The movement of individuals between roles as legislators or regulators and positions in the industries they once regulated or legislated, potentially leading to conflicts of interest. 19. What is an issue network? Answer: Issue Network: A coalition of interest groups, experts, and policymakers who collaborate around a specific policy issue to influence legislation and government decisions. 20. What do political action committees do? Answer: Political Action Committees (PACs): Organizations that collect and distribute contributions to candidates and political parties, often to support specific legislative goals or political agendas. 21. What is issue advocacy? Answer: Issue Advocacy: Efforts to influence public opinion and policymakers on specific issues, often through advertising, educational campaigns, or public relations strategies. 22. Describe independent expenditures. Answer: Independent Expenditures: Spending by individuals or groups on political campaigns independent of candidates, used to advocate for or against candidates or issues. 23. What is a leadership PAC? Provide an example. Answer: Leadership PAC: A political action committee established by a current or former elected official to support other candidates and raise funds for political activities. Example: The PAC established by a prominent senator to support candidates who align with their policy goals. 24. What is a 527 organization? Provide an example. Answer: 527 Organization: A tax-exempt group that engages in political activities, including advocacy and issue promotion, but cannot directly support or oppose candidates. Example: MoveOn.org. Essay Questions 1. Why do parties always arise in modern democracies? Answer: Parties arise in modern democracies to organize and represent diverse interests, simplify the electoral process, and facilitate governance. They help aggregate political demands, provide voters with clear choices, and streamline legislative processes by enabling collective action and policy formation. Parties also offer a structured way to mobilize voters, promote political engagement, and ensure accountability in government. 2. Describe minor parties in the United States. What types exist? How successful have they been? What role have they played in recent elections? Answer: Minor Parties in the United States Types: 1. Ideological Parties: Focus on broad ideological principles (e.g., Libertarian Party advocating for limited government). 2. Single-Issue Parties: Center on a specific issue (e.g., Green Party emphasizing environmental concerns). 3. Splinter Parties: Formed from splits within major parties (e.g., Bull Moose Party emerging from a split in the Republican Party). Success: Minor parties have generally struggled to win major offices but have been successful in influencing policy debates and major parties' platforms. They often play a significant role in shaping political discourse and highlighting emerging issues. Role in Recent Elections: Minor parties have drawn attention to specific issues that major parties might otherwise ignore. For example, the Green Party has pushed environmental issues into the national spotlight, and Libertarian candidates have influenced discussions on personal freedoms and government intervention. While they rarely win major offices, their impact is felt through policy influence and expanding the political debate. 3. Define the term realigning election. As a part of your answer, describe such an election, the events leading up to it, and its result. Answer: Definition: A realigning election is a major electoral event that results in a significant and lasting shift in party affiliations, voter coalitions, and political ideologies. Example: The 1932 Presidential Election Events Leading Up: • Great Depression: Widespread economic hardship and dissatisfaction with Republican President Herbert Hoover's response. • Public Discontent: Voter frustration with the lack of effective relief measures. Result: • Election of Franklin D. Roosevelt: Roosevelt’s victory established the Democratic Party as the dominant political force. • New Deal Coalition: Formation of a new political coalition supporting extensive government intervention and social programs, reshaping American politics for decades. 4. Describe the structure of the major political parties at the state and local levels. Answer: State Level: • State Party Organization: Comprised of a state committee, usually led by a state party chair, which oversees party activities, organizes state conventions, and coordinates campaign efforts. • State Conventions: Held to select state party leaders, delegate candidates, and set policy priorities. Local Level: • Local Party Committees: Include county, city, and precinct committees that manage local party affairs, recruit candidates, and organize grassroots efforts. • Precinct Captains: Serve as local organizers, mobilize voters, and coordinate election day activities. Both levels work to implement the party's agenda, support candidates, and engage with voters, ensuring alignment with national party goals and strategies. 5. How do party activists influence elections? Who are they and how do they operate? Answer: Who They Are: • Ideological Activists: Driven by strong political beliefs, focus on advancing specific ideologies (e.g., climate activists). • Party Loyalists: Committed to supporting their party’s candidates and policies. • Issue-Oriented Activists: Focus on specific issues, such as healthcare or education. How They Operate: • Campaign Mobilization: Organize rallies, canvassing, and voter registration drives. • Advocacy: Influence public opinion through advertisements, social media, and grassroots campaigns. • Fundraising: Raise and distribute funds to support candidates and party initiatives. Their efforts help shape campaign strategies, build voter support, and ultimately impact election outcomes by driving engagement and promoting party agendas. 6. How are political parties and elections financed? Describe at least three participants in the election process in terms of how they support political parties. Answer: Participants in Election Financing: • Political Action Committees (PACs): Collect and distribute contributions to support candidates and parties, often focusing on specific issues or interests. • Super PACs: Independent expenditure-only committees that can raise and spend unlimited amounts on behalf of candidates, but cannot coordinate directly with campaigns. • 527 Organizations: Tax-exempt groups that engage in political activities, such as issue advocacy and voter mobilization, without directly supporting or opposing candidates. 7. Discuss three ways in which the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act changed campaign finance. Answer: • Banned Soft Money: Prohibited unregulated contributions to national party committees, limiting the influence of large donors. • Increased Disclosure: Required more detailed reporting of campaign contributions and expenditures to increase transparency. • Regulated "Issue Ads": Limited the timing and content of issue ads by outside groups close to elections, aiming to reduce the impact of independent spending on campaigns. 8. What is an interest group and why are they important to American democracy? Answer: Definition: An interest group is an organized group of individuals or organizations that seeks to influence public policy and decision-making to benefit their members or advance specific causes. Importance: Interest groups are vital to American democracy as they represent diverse viewpoints, enhance political participation, and provide expertise on specific issues, contributing to a more informed and responsive government. 9. Name and describe three types of interest groups. Be sure to include in your answer whom they represent—and how. Answer: • Economic Interest Groups: Represent business or labor interests, such as the Chamber of Commerce, advocating for policies that benefit their industries or workers. • Public Interest Groups: Focus on issues affecting the general public, like the Sierra Club, which promotes environmental conservation and policies. • Professional Associations: Represent specific professions, such as the American Medical Association, which advocates for healthcare policies and standards. 10. Discuss the sources of interest group power—size, resources, cohesiveness, leadership, and techniques they use. Answer: • Size: Larger groups can exert more influence due to greater membership and resources. • Resources: Financial contributions and expertise enable effective lobbying and advocacy. • Cohesiveness: A unified and committed membership enhances a group’s impact. • Leadership: Strong, strategic leaders can effectively direct efforts and negotiations. • Techniques: Employ methods like lobbying, grassroots mobilization, and public campaigns to influence policy and public opinion. 11. List and elaborate upon five techniques that interest groups use to satisfy their agenda. Answer: 1. Lobbying: Directly influencing lawmakers and officials through meetings and advocacy to shape legislation. 2. Grassroots Mobilization: Organizing public campaigns and petitions to demonstrate widespread support or opposition to issues. 3. Campaign Contributions: Providing financial support to candidates and political parties to gain access and influence policy decisions. 4. Public Relations Campaigns: Utilizing media and advertisements to raise awareness and support for their causes. 5. Legal Action: Engaging in lawsuits or amicus briefs to affect policy through judicial decisions.. 12. What is lobbying? Is it necessary? As it occurs now, is it ethical? Be sure to examine both sides of the issue. Answer: Definition: Lobbying is the practice of influencing government officials and legislators to enact or oppose specific policies. Necessity and Ethics: • Necessary: Provides lawmakers with expert information, helps represent diverse interests, and facilitates informed decision-making. • Ethical Concerns: Can lead to undue influence by wealthy or powerful groups, potentially skewing policy to favor certain interests over the general public. 13. Who are lobbyists? Include in your answer information about the terms revolving door and issue network. Answer: Who They Are: Lobbyists are professionals hired to advocate on behalf of interest groups to influence legislation and policy decisions. Revolving Door: Refers to the movement of individuals between roles in government and positions in private sector organizations, potentially leading to conflicts of interest. Issue Network: A coalition of interest groups, experts, and policymakers working together on specific policy issues, often including former government officials and lobbyists. 14. How do PACs spend their money? Why do they spend it that way? Answer: Spending: PACs (Political Action Committees) spend money primarily on campaign contributions to candidates, political parties, and independent expenditures like ads supporting or opposing candidates. Reason: PACs allocate funds to influence election outcomes and support candidates who align with their interests, aiming to gain access and sway policy decisions in their favor. 15. Why did 527 organizations have so much impact on the election of 2004? Why have they become more active in recent years? Answer: Impact: 527 organizations had a significant impact by engaging in independent political activities and issue advocacy, often circumventing limits on direct contributions to candidates. Increased Activity: They have become more active due to increased flexibility in fundraising and spending, especially after the 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, which limited soft money contributions to parties but not to these organizations. 16. How much do interest groups influence elections and legislation? Be sure to include information in your answer about several things that interest groups do in attempts to satisfy their agenda. Answer: Interest groups significantly influence elections and legislation through various means: • Lobbying: Directly advocating to lawmakers to shape policy and legislation. • Campaign Contributions: Funding candidates and parties that support their interests, thereby gaining political access and influence. • Grassroots Mobilization: Organizing public campaigns and petitions to demonstrate support or opposition to policies. • Public Relations Campaigns: Using media and advertisements to sway public opinion and create pressure on policymakers. These activities help interest groups advance their agendas by affecting legislation, public policy, and electoral outcomes. 17. What, if anything, should we do about factions? Are the evils of interest groups justified? Consider what would surprise James Madison about the nature of interest group influence in modern times.. Answer: Dealing with Factions: • Regulation: Implementing stricter transparency and campaign finance laws to limit undue influence. • Balancing Interests: Encouraging diverse interest representation to ensure a more balanced policy environment. Madison’s Perspective: James Madison, who warned of the dangers of factions, might be surprised by how interest groups, while still potentially divisive, contribute to a vibrant, pluralistic democracy. He might find that their influence, though extensive, is moderated by democratic processes and competition among various interests. Test Bank for Government by the People David B. Magleby, Paul C. Light, Christine L. Nemacheck 9780205073245, 9780134732831
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