Study Guide – Unit 8:
Interest Groups
|
Date Due |
Assignments |
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Weds.,
Oct. 21 |
1.
Read p. 217 - 229 2.
Answer Reading Questions on |
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Thurs.,
Oct. 22 |
1.
Read p. 229 – 243 2.
Answer questions to Reading Questions on |
|
Mon.,
Oct. 26 |
1.
Read “From Big Bird to Bill Gates” 2. Answer the reading questions on the article. |
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Tues.,
Oct. 27 |
Work
on the Interest Group assignment |
|
Weds.,
Oct. 28 |
Interest
Group Assignment Due |
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Thurs.,
Oct. 29/Fri. Oct. 30 Ex-Day |
1.
Download and read the articles on lobbying posted on the Lesson Units page of
my website: “ 2.
Answer the reading questions on “ 3.
Take margin notes on the other two articles |
|
Mon.,
Nov. 2 |
Test |
|
1. |
|
12. |
Environmental
Movement |
22. |
Ethics
in Government Act (1978) |
|
2. |
Lobby
and lobbyist |
13. |
Feminist
Movement |
23. |
Lobbyist
Disclosure Act (1995) |
|
3. |
Interest
group |
14. |
Union
Movement |
24. |
Pluralist
theory |
|
4. |
Solidary
incentives |
15. |
Foundations
|
25. |
Elitist theory |
|
5. |
Material
incentives |
16. |
Direct
Mail |
26. |
Hyperpluralist theory |
|
6. |
Purposive
incentives |
17. |
Political
cue |
27. |
Trade association |
|
7. |
Ideological
interest group |
18. |
Insider
strategy |
28. |
Iron Triangles |
|
8. |
Public-interest
lobby |
19. |
Grassroots
lobbying |
29. |
Free rider problem |
|
9. |
Ralph
Nader |
20. |
Astroturf
lobbying |
30. |
Think tanks |
|
10. |
Communication Workers of
America v. Beck (1988) |
21. |
“Revolving
Door” |
31. |
earmarks |
|
11. |
Social
Movement |
|
|
|
|
|
1. |
Why are interest groups so common in this country? |
|
2. |
The book gives four factors that account for the rise of interest groups? Summarize those factors and give examples for each. |
|
3. |
Define what an interest group is and what its purpose is. What are the differences between institutional interests and membership interests? Give examples of each. |
|
4. |
Identify and define the incentives to join a mass-membership organization. |
|
5. |
Define what a public-interest lobby is and give an example. |
|
6. |
What is the difference between the staff and membership of an interest group? |
|
7. |
The book discusses the environmental, feminist, and union movements. Outline or summarize the information on each. (Bullet points are fine.) |
|
8. |
How do interest groups get their funds? |
|
9. |
Summarize the five activities that the book lists for how interest groups work to influence policy? Give examples for each activity. Assess how successful each type of activity is in influencing policy. This is very important so be sure that you understand this section. |
|
10. |
What were the weaknesses of the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1946 and why did Congress decide to enact a new law in 1995? |
|
11. |
How did the 1995 Lobbyist Disclosure Act strengthen the federal government’s regulation of interest groups? |
Reading Questions: “From Big Bird to Bill Gates” 1998
|
1. |
What is the relationship between weak parties and the increasing role of interest groups? |
|
2. |
How have the parties adapted to the new roles of interest groups? What is the relationship described in the article of interest groups and elections? |
|
3. |
How are interest groups influencing policy-making? How do they influence what is on the agenda? |
|
4. |
What is the new role of public interest groups? |
|
5. |
Why does it make economic sense for corporate interests to invest so much in lobbying? |
|
6. |
What are the trends the authors describe in lobbying? |
|
1. |
Why does Mr. Birnbaum say that lobbying has grown? |
|
2. |
What are earmarks and why do lobbyists and lawmakers use them? |
|
3. |
Why have some companies decided to hire or increase their staff of lobbyists? |
|
4. |
Why do legislators rely on lobbyists? What do these lobbyists do for them? |
You should be familiar with the following Interest
Groups. Basically, I want you to know
the types of issues
these groups are involved in and whether they are generally supporters of
liberals or conservatives, or are non-ideological. If I gave you an issue, you should know which
interest groups would be involved. The
groups with an asterisk by them are ones you all need to know. There are, of
course, many more organizations, but one must draw a line somewhere. Use this list to pick an interest group for
your assignment.
|
1. |
AARP – American Association of Retired People* |
11. |
Christian Coalition* |
21. |
NARAL – National Abortion Rights Action League* |
|
2. |
ACLU – American Civil Liberties Union* |
12. |
Club for Growth |
22. |
NEA - National Education Association* |
|
3. |
AFL-CIO – American Federation of Labor – Congress of Industrial Organizations* |
13. |
Council on American-Islamic Relations |
23. |
National Resources
Defense Council |
|
4. |
ABA - American Bar Association* |
14. |
Emily’s List |
24. |
NOW – National Organization of Women* |
|
5. |
American Conservative Union |
15. |
Environmental Defense Fund |
25. |
NRA – National Rifle Association* |
|
6. |
American Farm Bureau |
16. |
Family Research Council |
26. |
PETA – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals |
|
7. |
AIPAC - American Israel Public Affairs Committee |
17. |
Handgun Control, Inc. |
27. |
Public Citizen* |
|
8. |
AMA - American Medical Association* |
18. |
Moveon.org |
28. |
Sierra Club* |
|
9. |
ATLA - Association of Trial Lawyers of America |
19. |
NAACP – National Association of Colored People* |
29. |
US Chamber of Commerce |
|
10. |
The Business Roundtable |
20. |
NAM - National Association of Manufacturers* |
30. |
Veterans of Foreign Wars* |