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AP Government: Interest Groups Flashcards

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9384608483K StreetA shorthand term for Washington lobbyists, derived from the name of the street in Washington, DC, where lobbying firms were once concentrated.0
9384608484Lobbyistsomeone who tries to persuade legislators to vote for bills that the lobbyists favor1
9384608485Interest Groupan organization of people sharing a common interest or goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy2
9384608486Solidary Incentivesthe social rewards (sense of pleasure, status, or companionship) that lead people to join political organizations3
9384608487Material IncentivesBenefits that have a monetary value, including money, gifts, services, or discounts received as a result of one's membership in an organization.4
9384608488Purposive Incentivesa reason for supporting or participating in the activities of a group that is based on agreement with the goals of the group5
9384608489Ideological Interest Grouppolitical organization that attracts members by appealing to their political convictions or principles6
9384608490Public-Interest Lobbya political organization whose goals will principally benefit nonmembers7
9384608491Communication Workers of America v. Beck (1988)Declared that employees don't have to pay union dues for partisan political activities8
9384608492Social Movementa widely shared demand for change in some aspect of the social or political order9
9384608493Environmental Movementa social movement organized around concerns about the relationship between humans and the environment10
9384608494Feminist Movementthe movement aimed at equal rights for women11
9384608495Union 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
9384608496Foundationscharitable organizations that donate funds or assets for a specific purpose.13
9384608497Direct Mailadvertising sent directly to prospective customers via the mail14
9384608498Political 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
9384608499Insider Strategystrategy of lobbyists that work closely with a few key members of Congress, meeting them privately to exchange information and favors.16
9384608500Grassroots Lobbyingefforts by groups and associations to influence elected officials indirectly, by arousing their constituents. (Going directly to the people, Ex. NRA)17
9384608501Astroturf Lobbyingwhen groups create front organizations designed to give the appearence of a greater level of public concern than really exists. ("Fake" Grassroots)18
9384608502Revolving 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
9384608503Ethics in Government Act (1978)Sets requirements for financial disclosure for elected public officials, and placed restrictions on former government officials lobbying activities (Watergate).20
9384608504Lobbyist Disclosure Act (1995)Legislation aimed at bringing a level of accountability to federal lobbying practices in the US.21
9384608505Pluralist TheoryA theory of government and politics emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies.22
9384608506Elitist Theorya theory that a few top leaders make the key decisions without reference to popular desires23
9384608507Hyperpluralist TheoryA theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened. Hyperpluralism is an extreme form of pluralism24
9384608508Trade Associationnonprofit organization that promotes the interests of a particular industry25
9384608509Iron Trianglesmutually dependent relationship between bureaucratic agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees or subcommittees. They dominate some areas of domestic policymaking.26
9384608510Free 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
9384608511Think 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
9384608512EarmarksPet projects added to appropriation bills by congressmen for their local issues, called "wasteful spending" and "pork barrel legislation" by critics.29
9384608513Influence Peddlingusing personal friendships and inside information to get political advantage30
9384608514Collective goodSomething of value that cannot be withheld from a potential group member.31
9384608515Olsen's law of large groupsthe larger the group, the further it will fall short of providing an optimum amount of a collective good.32
9384608516selective benefitsgoods that a group can restrict to those who actually join33
9384608517single issue groupsGroups that have a narrow interest, tend to dislike compromise, and often draw membership from people new to politics.34
9384608518lobbyingcontacting a public official to persuade the official to support the group's interests35
9384608519electioneeringdirect group involvement in the electoral process36
9384608520Political action committeea private group that raises and distributes funds for use in election campaigns37
9384608521amicus curiae briefLegal briefs filed by organized groups to influence the decision in a supreme Court case.38
9384608522class action lawsuitpermit a small number of people to sue on behalf of all those who have been affected39
9384608523union shopA company in which new employees must join a union within a stated time period.40
9384608524right-to-work lawstate law forbidding requirements that workers must join a union to hold their jobs41
9384611162James Madisonargued against factions42
9384612184Alexis de Tocquevilleviewed associations positively43
9384614888mud-slingingmaking a candidate look bad44
938461489045
9384615963propagandaa technique of persuasion used to create a particular belief46

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