Interest Groups

 What were the two periods of history in which the number of interest groups expanded most rapidly? (Looking for years)  Why did large mass membership unions form in early interest group history?  The Chamber of Commerce was an interest group that formed for what reason?  List the types of interest groups whose representation has skyrocketed since  List the reasons for proliferation of interest groups in this country.  Basic definition of interest group  What type of interest is the U.S. tobacco industry representing when it seeks to influence public policy through lobbying?

 List some activities that institutional interests might typically conduct on behalf of their clients.  According to the text…Americans are often a nation of _______________.  Americans what type of associations compared to citizens of other countries?  What type of incentive most correlates with membership in a parent/teacher association?  What type of incentive most correlates with members of a farm bureau?  Define ideological interest groups  What group did Nader found?

 What event helped launch the environmental movement?  Define purposive incentives.  List some reasons for decline in union membership in the U.S.  List some important sources of funds for lobbying organizations.  Those who receive the lion’s share of federal grants, like nonprofits, are rarely subject to what?  Most money by federal contracts is received by whom?  Who are the individuals most likely to join an interest group?

 What is the best measure of an interest group’s influence?  What tends to restrain lobbyist from misrepresenting facts or misleading legislators?  What is the most effective commodity at the command of interest groups  List some reasons why public officials benefit from their relationship with lobbyists.  Which interest group issues “ratings” on which legislators are liberal?  Why might ratings generated by interest groups be problematic?

 Grassroot lobbying is also known as….  Why might lobbyists encourage local citizens to send letters to a legislator?  Who are the Dirty Dozen?  Define the relationship between Brady Bill and the NRA.  What was the result of the campaign finance reforms of 1973?  Could a member of congress start a PAC?  Approximately what proportion of all House campaign funding is contributed by PACs?  What is the influence of money on legislative behavior?  Define revolving door.  Interest group activity is protected under which constitutional amendment?  What was the relationship between the Supreme Court and the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1946?