Chapter 8 - Interest Groups

Answer each of the questions below by clicking on the appropriate option. If you make a mistake, read the feedback and answer again.

Question 1
What is the primary method interest groups use to gain influence in the political arena?

a. Interest groups run candidates in elections and hope to win office and, therefore, political power.

b. Interest groups try to influence candidates and elected officials to get what they want.

c. Interest groups vie to get public support for their ideas, which is then passed on to politicians.

d. Interest groups only lobby congressmen to support legislation they favor.

Question 2
What is the theory of pluralism?

a. The idea that, as a group on one side of an issue gains power and influence, an opposing group on the other side of the issue will automatically organize and gain influence, thus keeping the power of each in check.

b. The theory that, as more and more interest groups enter the political arena, fewer of them hold any real power in governmental activities.

c. The theory that group dynamics can become overbearing if the membership of a group grows too large.

d. The idea that political parties and interest groups interact to such a large degree that the distinction between them is blurred in the public eye.

Question 3
What is lobbying?

a. Lobbying is trying to buy influence in Congress by paying cash to politicians.

b. Lobbying is trying to gain influence with any politician by providing services (not money) and favors.

c. Lobbying is trying to influence somebody to go along with what one wants.

d. Lobbying is interacting with politicians for the specific purpose of gaining political influence.

Question 4
Interest groups do not have a lot of influence on political campaigns.

a. True

b. False

Question 5
Iron triangles are beneficial to the general public.

a. True

b. False

Question 6
Soft money has been banned from federal campaigns.

a. True

b. False