Multiple Choice Political Parties and Voting

1. Throughout American history, which of the following conditions has led to an increase in interest groups activity?

   I. A strong economy with low inflation.
   II. The rise of professional societies, such as the american medical association(AMA)
   III. Government policies that create new groups such as veterans.
   IV. Leaders that are willing to make personal sacrifices.

I and II

I, II, and III

II, III, and IV

I, II, and IV

III and IV

Interest groups have been created by professional organizations, such as the AMA and new government policies such as wars that create veterans. Interest groups often have a strong leader-historically, the NAACP has had many- who is willing to make personal sacrifices. Interest groups are less likely to arise in good economic times.

Explanation

Interest groups have been created by professional organizations, such as the AMA and new government policies such as wars that create veterans. Interest groups often have a strong leader-historically, the NAACP has had many- who is willing to make personal sacrifices. Interest groups are less likely to arise in good economic times.

2. An interest group would use grassroot lobbying on all of the following issues EXCEPT:

Abortion

Medicare

Social Security

Complex tax legislation affecting a few people

Affirmative action

Not every issue lends itself to grassroots lobbying, whichencourages individual interest group members to contact members of Congress. The more people are directly affected by a policy, the more likely an interest group will use grassroots lobbying.

Explanation

Not every issue lends itself to grassroots lobbying, whichencourages individual interest group members to contact members of Congress. The more people are directly affected by a policy, the more likely an interest group will use grassroots lobbying.

3. Which of the following is a concern about the influence of lobbyists on government?

Many lobbyists are former federal officials who gave up their positions in government to work for interest groups

Many lobbyists are attorneys who have undue influence because of their legal expertise

Many lobbyists also work as congressional staff members

Many members of Congress are former lobbyists who still have strong connections to interest groups

Because lobbyists do not have to register with the government, it is difficult to control their activities

Many people worry about the "revolving door" the practice of officials leaving their government positions to accept more lucrative jobs as lobbyists. This may give them undo influence over policy making.

Explanation

Many people worry about the "revolving door" the practice of officials leaving their government positions to accept more lucrative jobs as lobbyists. This may give them undo influence over policy making.

4. A group representing a corporation, labor union, or special interest that raises and spends campaign contributions on behalf of canidates or causes is a

Special interest group

Grassroots lobbying committee

Political action committee

Social Movement

Tax-exempt entity

Political action commities raise and spend money on behalf of canidates and causes. The Federal Election Commision regulates them.

Explanation

Political action commities raise and spend money on behalf of canidates and causes. The Federal Election Commision regulates them.

5. All of the following explain the proliferation of interest groupsEXCEPT:

America is diverse, with countless immigrants, races, and religions

Because of its federal system there are multiple points of access to government

Political authority is shared by several branches of government, each of which might be targeted by interest groups

Interest groups often run candidates for office to give their supporters a voice in government

Political parties are relatively weak which helps explain the strength and number of interest groups

Interest groups occur because of diversity they target all levels of government. American political parties are weaker than in many other countries but interest groups may be stronger. However, interest groups do not usually run candidates for office.

Explanation

Interest groups occur because of diversity they target all levels of government. American political parties are weaker than in many other countries but interest groups may be stronger. However, interest groups do not usually run candidates for office.

6. Environmentalists, women, and union members have worked over the years to advance their interests. What is the best description of these causes?

They are social movements that have spawned several related interest groups

They are PACs, which give money to political campaigns

They are social movements because all of them have liberal goals

They are interest groups because they lobby Congress for favorable legislation

They are social movements because they do not take strong posistions and tend to support moderate policies

A social movement is a widely shared demand for change in some aspect of the social or political order. These movements, such as those led by environmentalists, women, and unions, often result in the creation of several related interest groups.

Explanation

A social movement is a widely shared demand for change in some aspect of the social or political order. These movements, such as those led by environmentalists, women, and unions, often result in the creation of several related interest groups.

7. Why are lobbyists useful to members of Congress in considering legislation?

Because most lobbyists are lawyers and can draft bills using technical legal language

Because lobbyists have bigger research staffs than members of Congress

Because lobbyists are policy generalists who have knowledge about a broad range of topics

Because members of Congress must listen to lobbyists in order to get electoral support

Because members of Congress are policy generalists and lobbyists are policy specialists with expert knowledge in their area

Memebers of Congress are policy generalists who must decide about a broad range of issues. Lobbyists have expertise in specific feilds. Members of Congress need credible information and often rely on lobbyists to provide it.

Explanation

Memebers of Congress are policy generalists who must decide about a broad range of issues. Lobbyists have expertise in specific feilds. Members of Congress need credible information and often rely on lobbyists to provide it.

8. Which of the following are sources of funding for interest groups?

   I.    Foundation Grants
   II.   Federal Grants
   III. Federal Contracts
   IV. Direct-mail Solicitations

I, II, and III

I and II

II,III, and IV

I and III

I, II, III, and IV

Interest groups recieve funding from foundation grants given by private groups, along with federal grants and contracts. In addition, they may use direct mail to solicit funds from their members.

Explanation

Interest groups recieve funding from foundation grants given by private groups, along with federal grants and contracts. In addition, they may use direct mail to solicit funds from their members.

9. "Free Riders" occur when interest groups fight for benefits to the public as a whole, such as consumer protection. How can interest groups prevent the "Free Rider" problem?

By insuring that the benefits they seek will help only their members

By providing people an incentive to join the interest group, such as a subscription to a magazine

By limiting membership to a few carefully screened members

By lobbying members of congress only in the district where the interest group operates

There's no practical way for interest groups to prevent the "Free Rider" problem

Interest groups, such as AARP, often provide insentives to their member, such as magazines and travel discounts. This encourages people to pay a fee to become members of the group.

Explanation

Interest groups, such as AARP, often provide insentives to their member, such as magazines and travel discounts. This encourages people to pay a fee to become members of the group.

10. Table 9.4 How PACs Spent Their Money in 2000 (in millions of dollars)

                                     House                             --                   Senate
PAC Sponser   Dem. Rep. Incum. Challenger Open -- Dem. Rep. Incum. Challenger Open
Corporate          22.0   39.9   54.3       2.2          5.3 --   5.1  16.9   19.3         1.5        4.5
Trade/               22.3   32.6   45.6       3.5          5.7 --   3.8   9.4     9.3          1.2       2.8
professional
Labor                39.9     3.5   30.1       7.9          5.2 --   6.2    0.4    2.3          2.8       1.4
Nonconnected   11.4    15.6   15.1       5.7          6.3 --   3.0    5.5    4.9         1.4        2.2

KEY: Dem.=Democrat, Rep.=Republican, Incum.= Incumbent,

The table above supports which of the following conclusions?

Most PAC money goes to open seats.

More PAC money is spent on Senate races than on races in the House of Representatives

Corporate PACs give twice as much money to the republicans in the House than to Democrats

Labor PACs spend more money on challengers than on incumbents in the Senate

Independent canidates rarely recieve PAC money

On races in the Senate, labor PACs spend more money on challengers than incumbents.

Explanation

On races in the Senate, labor PACs spend more money on challengers than incumbents.

Multiple Choice Political Parties And Voting