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| salience |
DEF: The level of familiarity with an interest group's goals among general population.
EX: The lower the salience the more likely an interest group has to succeed.
SIG: Lets interest groups know ahead of time how good of a chance their new policy will get passed. |
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aaadd Tue, 12 Jan 2010 03:29:57 GMT |
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| referendum |
DEF: A direct vote by citizens proposed by a legislature or another government body.
EX: Vote on a policy created by legislature.
SIG: Citizens do not get to put the question being voted on on the ballot, the legislature or government does. |
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aaadd Tue, 12 Jan 2010 03:27:23 GMT |
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| initiative |
DEF: A direct vote by citizens proposed by fellow citizens or organized groups outside government.
EX: Vote on a policy created by citizens.
SIG: Citizens get to put the question being voted on on the ballot. |
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aaadd Tue, 12 Jan 2010 03:27:23 GMT |
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| 501(c) organizations |
DEF: A tax code classification that applies to most interest groups.
EX: Group can only participate in twenty percent of the normal activities.
SIG: Makes donations to the group tax-deductible but limits the group's political activities. |
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aaadd Tue, 12 Jan 2010 03:27:23 GMT |
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| astroturf lobbying |
DEF: Any lobbying method initiated by an interest group that is designed to look like the spontaneous, independent participation of many individuals.
EX: Sending 10,000 e-mails to a representative to get an increase in student aid, but they are all the same generated from a website.
SIG: Typically shows more effort than actually put into the proposal. |
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aaadd Tue, 12 Jan 2010 03:27:23 GMT |
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| grassroots lobbying |
DEF: A lobbying strategy that relies on participation by group members.
EX: Protest or letter-writing campaign.
SIG: Gets all or most members of an interest group involved. |
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aaadd Tue, 12 Jan 2010 03:09:01 GMT |
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| direct lobbying |
DEF: Attempts by interest group staff to influence policy by speaking with elected official or bureaucrats.
EX: An interest group member talks directly to an elected official about lowering taxes.
SIG: Lets the interest group know for sure that the elected official heard their proposal. |
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aaadd Tue, 12 Jan 2010 03:09:01 GMT |
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| outside strategies |
DEF: Tactics used by interest groups outside Washington DC to achieve their policy goals.
EX: Grassroots lobbying.
SIG: Requires a little extra effort to get new policy wishes heard. |
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aaadd Tue, 12 Jan 2010 03:09:01 GMT |
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| inside strategies |
DEF: Tactics used by interest groups within Washington DC to achieve their policy goals.
EX: Writing draft versions of legislation or regulations. Direct lobbying.
SIG: Lobbying is done inside the main headquarters so it's easier and convenient. |
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aaadd Tue, 12 Jan 2010 03:09:01 GMT |
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| selective incentives |
DEF: Benefits that can motivate participation in a group effort because they are available only to those who participate.
EX: Free life insurance, magazines, or discounted vacations for joining.
SIG: Gets people to join interest groups. |
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aaadd Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:56:37 GMT |
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| coercion |
DEF: A method of eliminating nonparticipation or free riding by potential group members by requiring participation.
EX: Labor Unions force their workers to join and pay union fees so there is no free riding.
SIG: Prevents free riding. |
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aaadd Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:56:37 GMT |
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| free riding |
DEF: The practice of relying on others to contribute to a collective effort, while failing to participate on one's own behalf and still benefiting from the group's success.
EX: Participating in a group project, but not actually doing any of the work, but still getting as much credit as the rest of the group.
SIG: A big problem that can lead to an interest of all free riders so no lobbying will ever get done. |
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aaadd Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:56:37 GMT |
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| peak associations |
DEF: Interest groups whose members are businesses or other organizations rather than individuals.
EX: Business-Industry Political Action Committee (BIPAC)
SIG: Aims to elect "pro-business individuals" to Congress. |
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aaadd Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:56:37 GMT |
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| mass associations |
DEF: Interest groups that have a large number of dues-paying individuals as members.
EX: Sierra Club and American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
SIG: Provides funds for the interest group. |
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aaadd Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:03:19 GMT |
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| confederations |
DEF: Interest groups made up of several independent, local organizations that provide much of their funding and hold most of the power.
EX: National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NADA).
SIG: Maintain independent chapters at the state and local levels, so it is easier for the national headquarters to learn what their members want. |
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aaadd Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:03:19 GMT |
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| centralized groups |
DEF: Interest groups that have a headquarters, usually in Washington DC, as well as members and field offices throughout the country.
EX: AARP and NRA.
SIG: Organization's leadership is concentrated in its headquarters and the leaders have the power and responsibility to determine the group's lobbying goals and tactics. |
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aaadd Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:16:32 GMT |
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| single-issue groups |
DEF: A type of interest group that has a narrowly focused goal, seeking change on a single topic, government program, or piece of legislation.
EX: National Right to Life Committee, which lobbies for restrictions on abortion rights. NumbersUSA, which lobbies against guest worker programs for noncitizens.
SIG: Has a narrow focus in order to get the policy they want. |
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aaadd Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:16:32 GMT |
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| citizen groups (public interest groups) |
DEF: A type of interest group that seeks changes in spending, regulations, or government programs concerning a wide range of policies.
EX: Public Citizen, Family Research Council.
SIG: Urges policy changes to better benefit most citizens. |
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aaadd Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:16:32 GMT |
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| economic groups |
DEF: A type of interest group that seeks public policies that will provide monetary benefits to its members.
EX: Corporations, trade associations, labor groups, and professional organizations.
SIG: Provides incentive for members to part of this particular interest group. |
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aaadd Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:16:32 GMT |
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| trade association |
DEF: An interest group composed of companies in the same business or industry that lobbies for policies that will benefit members of the group.
EX: National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA)
SIG: Gathers similar businesses to fight for laws that will benefit them. |
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aaadd Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:04:36 GMT |
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| latent |
DEF: A term describing a group of politically like-minded people that is not represented by any interest group.
EX: A group of people want lower taxes but don't really voice their opinion or are part of an interest group for their cause.
SIG: Distinguishes between people who voice their opinions and people who don't. |
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aaadd Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:04:36 GMT |
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| lobbying |
DEF: Efforts to influence public policy through contact with public officials on behalf of an interest group.
EX: Using reports, protests, informal meetings, or other techniques to persuade an elected official to enact a certain law.
SIG: Lets the elected officials know what the people want. |
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aaadd Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:04:36 GMT |
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| interest groups |
DEF: Organizations of people who share common political interests and aim to influence public policy by electioneering and lobbying.
EX: AAA or the National Rifle Association.
SIG: Influences policy making. |
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aaadd Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:04:36 GMT |
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