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| Chapter 11 - Interest Groups |
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| organization of people with shared policy goals entering the policy process at several points to try to achieve those goals |
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| a theory of government and politics emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies |
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| a theroy of government and politics contending that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization |
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| a theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakend |
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| all the people who might be interest group members because they share some common interest |
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| the part of the potential group consisting of members who actually join |
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| something of value that cannot be withheld from a group member |
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| An individual who does not join a group representing his or her interests yet receives the benefit of the influence the group achieves |
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| goods that a group can restrict to those who pay their annual dues |
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| groups that have a narrow interest, tend to dislike compromise, and often draw membership from people new to politics |
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| according to Lester Milbrath, a "communication, by someone other than a citizen acting on his own behalf, directed to a governmental decisionmaker with the hope of influencing his decision." |
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| Political Action Committees |
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| political funding vehicles created by the 1974 campaign finance reforms. A corporation, unions, or some other interest group can create a PAC and register it with the Federal Election Commission, which will meticulously monitor the PAC'S expenditures. |
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| legal briefs submitted by a "friend of the cout" for the purpose of raising additional points of view and presenting information not contained in the briefs of the formal parties. THese attempt to influence a courts's decision. |
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| Lawsuits permitting a small number of people to sue on behalf of all other people similarly situated |
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| according to Jeffrey Berry, organizations that seek "a collective good, the achievement of which will not selectively and materially benefit the membership of activities of the organization." |
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| paid professional representatives of the interest group meet privately with government officials to suggest legislation and to present arguments supporting their postions |
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| formed to promote and protect members' economic interests, unions, professional groups, businesspeople, usually most powerful groups in DC |
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| a non-profit organization that can't lobby or campaign but donations are tax deductible |
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| political organizations that are not regulated by the Federal Election Commission or by a state elections commission, and are not subject to the same contribution limits as PACs |
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| attempts by groups and associations to influence elected officials indirectly through their constituents |
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| Procedure where a certain number of voters may, by petition, propose law or constitutional amendment and have it submitted to the voters |
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| Benefits that interest group members derive from feeling good about contributing to a worthy cause in an effort to improve the lot of society in general, not just the individual concerns of the groups members |
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| a state-level method of direct legislation that gives voters a chance to approve or disapprove proposed legislation or a proposed constitutional amendment |
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| satisfaction gained from membership in interest groups such as friendship and sense of belonging to a group or meeting people with similar interests |
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