Question

1. Define Interest Group.
2. How are interest groups different from political parties?
3. What are four positive aspects of interest groups?
4. What are five negative aspects of interest groups?
5. What are five types of economic interest groups? Describe them.
6. What are some other types of interest groups?
7. How do interest groups try to influence public opinion?
8. How do interest groups affect the outcome of elections?
9. Define lobbying.
10. Define the following terms and concepts.
a. public-interest group-
b. public opinion-
c. single-interest group-
d. PAC-
e. grass-roots-

Answer 1

Answer:

1. Interest Group, also called pressure group is any association of individuals or organizations that on the basis of one or more concerns, formaly organized  in attemps of to influence public policy in its favor.

2. The main difference is that political parties goal is the legislature and to elect one or some of their members.

3. Interest groups promote authentic freedom of expression; explore new perspectives; it is an effecive way to balance the impact of governance; group efforts become usable platforms that facilitate change;

4. They would often seek for the minority of people; they lead to "hyperpluralism"; they can plot socio-political crimes; they have their effectiveness in question for being short-sighted and narrow-minded;

5. economic interest groups include organizations that represent big business (NAM), as well as big labor (AFL-CIO), large corporations and individual unions. Trade associations represent entire industries (APPA). Professionals also form interest groups (AMA).

Explanation:

6. Religious interest groups. Civil rights interest groups, ideological interest groups, government interest groups, public interest groups, single-interest groups.

7. They use tatics of representation and midia influence.

8. They are a source of financial support for election campaigns

9. Lobbying is any attempt by individuals or private interest groups to influence the decisions of government; in its original meaning it referred to efforts to influence the votes of legislators generaly in the lobby outiside the legislative chamber. Lobbying in some form is inevitable in any political system.

10. a. Public-interest groups work on issues that impact the general public, rather than a small group of members;

b. Public Opinion is the views prevalent among the general public;

c. single-interest group focus on advocacy around a single defining issue, for example the NRA - National Riffle Association;

d. Political Action Committee

e. Grassroots are local political organizations which seek to influence conditions not related to the working situations of the participants and which have the activity of the participants as their primary resource.