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AP Government: Interest Groups Flashcards

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6503873015K StreetA shorthand term for Washington lobbyists, derived from the name of the street in Washington, DC, where lobbying firms were once concentrated.0
6503873016Lobbyistsomeone who tries to persuade legislators to vote for bills that the lobbyists favor1
6503873017Interest Groupan organization of people sharing a common interest or goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy2
6503873018Solidary Incentivesthe social rewards (sense of pleasure, status, or companionship) that lead people to join political organizations3
6503873019Material IncentivesBenefits that have a monetary value, including money, gifts, services, or discounts received as a result of one's membership in an organization.4
6503873020Purposive Incentivesa reason for supporting or participating in the activities of a group that is based on agreement with the goals of the group5
6503873021Ideological Interest Grouppolitical organization that attracts members by appealing to their political convictions or principles6
6503873022Public-Interest Lobbya political organization whose goals will principally benefit nonmembers7
6503873023Communication Workers of America v. Beck (1988)Declared that employees don't have to pay union dues for partisan political activities8
6503873024Social Movementa widely shared demand for change in some aspect of the social or political order9
6503873025Environmental Movementa social movement organized around concerns about the relationship between humans and the environment10
6503873026Feminist Movementthe movement aimed at equal rights for women11
6503873027Union Movementin the 1800's working people became much more involved in politics. To create reforms workers joined together in voluntary associations called unions. Factory workers were faced with painfully long hours, and awful working conditions. They always had the threat of being laid off standing over them. They created a union to work to gather against the authorities.12
6503873028Foundationscharitable organizations that donate funds or assets for a specific purpose.13
6503873029Direct Mailadvertising sent directly to prospective customers via the mail14
6503873030Political Cuea signal telling a legislator what values are at stake in a vote, and how that issue fits into his or her own political views on party agenda15
6503873031Insider Strategystrategy of lobbyists that work closely with a few key members of Congress, meeting them privately to exchange information and favors.16
6503873032Grassroots Lobbyingefforts by groups and associations to influence elected officials indirectly, by arousing their constituents. (Going directly to the people, Ex. NRA)17
6503873033Astroturf Lobbyingwhen groups create front organizations designed to give the appearence of a greater level of public concern than really exists. ("Fake" Grassroots)18
6503873034Revolving DoorEmployment cycle in which individuals who work for government agencies that regulate interests eventually end up working for interest groups or businesses with the same policy concern.19
6503873035Ethics in Government Act (1978)Sets requirements for financial disclosure for elected public officials, and placed restrictions on former government officials lobbying activities (Watergate).20
6503873036Lobbyist Disclosure Act (1995)Legislation aimed at bringing a level of accountability to federal lobbying practices in the US.21
6503873037Pluralist TheoryA theory of government and politics emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies.22
6503873038Elitist Theorya theory that a few top leaders make the key decisions without reference to popular desires23
6503873039Hyperpluralist TheoryA theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened. Hyperpluralism is an extreme form of pluralism24
6503873040Trade Associationnonprofit organization that promotes the interests of a particular industry25
6503873041Iron Trianglesmutually dependent relationship between bureaucratic agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees or subcommittees. They dominate some areas of domestic policymaking.26
6503873042Free Rider Problemthe problem faced by interest groups when citizens can reap the benefits of interest group action without actually joining, participating in, or contributing money to such groups. (Unions likewise)27
6503873043Think Tankspublic interest organizations that do research on policy questions and disseminate their findings in books, articles, conferences, op-ed essays for newspapers, and testimony before Congress.28
6503873044EarmarksPet projects added to appropriation bills by congressmen for their local issues, called "wasteful spending" and "pork barrel legislation" by critics.29
6503873045Influence Peddlingusing personal friendships and inside information to get political advantage30

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