click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
GOV Ch. 6 Vocabulary
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 one believes |
solidary incentive | A reason to join an interest group – please in associating with like-minded individuals. |
material incentive | A reason to join an interest group – practical benefits such as discounts, subscriptions, or group insurance. |
free rider problem | The existence (in interest groups) of persons who benefit but do not contribute |
pluralist theory | A theory that views politics as contest among various interest groups – at all levels of government – to gain benefits for their members. |
majoritarianism | The belief that public policy is or should be set in accordance with the opinions of a majority of the people. |
elite theory | The belief that government is controlled by one or more elite groups. |
trade organization | An association formed by members of a particular industry, such as oil or trucking industries, to develop common standards and goals for the industry. |
right-to-work laws | Laws that ban unions from collecting dues or other fees from workers whom they represent but who have not actually joined the union. |
public-interest group | An interest group formed for the purpose of working for the “public good.” Examples are the American Civil Liberties Union and Common Cause. |
direct technique | Any method used by an interest group to interact with government officials directly to further the group’s goals (examples: lobbying and providing election support). |
lobbying | All of the attempts by organizations or by individuals to influence the passage, defeat, or contents of legislation or to influence the administrative decisions of government. |
lobbyist | An individual 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 campaign contributions on the establishing organization’s behalf. |
independent expenditure | An expenditure for activities that are independent from (not coordinated with) those of a political candidate or a political party. |
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. |