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GOVT - Ch 6
Interest Groups
Term | Definition |
---|---|
interest group | An organized group of individuals sharing common objectives who actively attempt to influence policymakers. |
purposive incentive | A reason to join an interest group -- satisfaction resulting from working for a cause in which on believes. |
solidary incentive | A reason to join an interest group -- pleasure in associating with like-minded individuals. |
material incentive | Practical benefits from joining an interest group, such as discounts, subscriptions, or group insurance. |
free rider problem | The difficulty that exists when individuals can enjoy the outcome of an interest group's effort without having to contribute, such as by becoming members of the group. |
pluralist theory | A theory that views politics as a contest among various interest groups -- at all levels of government -- to gain benefits for their members. |
public interest group | An interest group formed for the purpose of working for the "public good." (American Civil Liberties Union, Common Cause) |
trade organization | An association formed by members of a particular industry (oil, trucking) to develop common standards and goals for the industry. As interest groups, they lobby government for legislation or regulations that specifically benefit their groups. |
labor force | All of the people over the age of sixteen who are working or actively looking for jobs. |
right-to-work laws | Laws that ban unions from collecting dues or other fees from workers that they represent but who have not actually joined the union. |
direct technique | Any method used by an interest group to interact with government officials directly to further the group's goals. |
lobbying | All of the attempts by organizations or individuals to influence the passage, defeat, or contents of legislation or to influence the administrative decisions of government. |
lobbyist | An individuals who handles a particular interest group's lobbying efforts. |
political action committee (PAC) | A committee that is established by a corporation, labor union, or special interest group to raise funds and make contributions on the established organization's behalf. |
indirect technique | Any method used by interest groups to influence government officials through third parties, such as voters. |
rating system | A system by which a particular interest group evaluates (rates) the performance of legislators based on how often the legislators have voted with the group's position on particular issues. |
independent expenditure | An expenditure for activities that are independent from (not coordinated with) those of a political candidate or a political party. |