Interest Group

An orginazation of people with shared policy goals entering the policy process at several points to try to acheive these goals.

Pluralist Theory

A theory of goverment and politics emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own policies.

Elite Theory

A theory of goverment and politics contending that socities are divided along class lines and that an upper elite class will rule regardless of the formal niceities of govermental orginization

Hyperpluralist Theory

A theory of goverment and politics contending that groups are so strong that goverment is weakened.

Subgoverments

A network of groups within the American political system that exercise a great deal of control over specific policy areas.

Potential Group

All the people who might be interest group members because they share some common interest.

Actual Group

That part of the potential group consisting of members who actually join the group.

Collective Good

Something of value that cannot be withheld from a group member.

Free-Rider Problem

The problem faced by unions and other groups when people do not join because they can benefit from the group's activities without actually joining.

Olson's Law of Large Groups

The larger the group, the further it will fall short of providing an optimal amount of collective good.

Selective Benefits

Goods that a group can restrict to those who pay their dues.

Single-Issue Group

Groups that have a narrow interest, tend to dislike compromise, and often draw membership from people new to politics.

Lobbying

Doing actions that hope to influence the decisions of policymakers.

Electioneering

Direct group involvement in the electoral process.

Political Action Committees (PACs)

Political funding vehicles created by the 1974 campaign fincance reforms. A coorporation, union, or some other interst group can create a political action committee and register it with the Federal Election to have their expenditures monitored.

Amicus Curiae Breifs

Legal breifs submitted by " a friend of the court" for the purpose of raising additional points of view and presenting information not contained in the breifs of the normal parties.

Class Action Lawsuits

Lawsuits permitting a small number of people to sue on behalf of all other people similarly situated.

Union Shop

A provision found in some colllective bargaining agreements requiring all employees of a business to join the union within a short period, usually 30 days, and to remain members as a condition of employment.

Right-to-Work Law

A state law forbidding requirements that workers must join a union to hold their jobs.

Public Interest Lobbies

A collective good, the acheivment of which will not selectively and materially benefit the membership or activities of the organization.