Quizlet Gov - Chapter 11 - Interest Groups

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  1. Pluralist theory: argues that interest group activity brings representation to all.
  2. actual group: is composed of those in the potential group who choose to join.
  3. amicus ciriae briefs: consiste of written arguments submitted to the courts in support of one side of a case.
  4. class action lawsuits: enable a group of people in a similar situation to combinve their common grievances into a single suit.
  5. collective good: iis something of calie such as clean air that cannot be withheld from a potential group member.
  6. electioneering: aiding candidates finacially and getting group members out to support them.
  7. elite theory: argues that a few groups have most of the power.
  8. free rider problem: a perfectly rational response is thus to sit back and let other people do the work
  9. hyperpluralist theory: asserts that too many groups are getting too much of what they want resulting in government policy that is often contradictoryy and lacking in direction.
  10. interest group: is an organization of people with similar policy goals who enter the political process to try to achieve those aims.
  11. lobbying: comes from the place wher petitioners used to collar legislatures.
  12. olson's law of large groups: the begger group the more serious the free rider problem. " the larger the group the further it will fall short of providing an optimal amount of a collective good
  13. political action commitees: provide a means for groups to participate in electioneering.
  14. potential group: is composed of all people who might be group members because they share some common interest
  15. public interest lobbies: are organizations that seek "a collective good the achievement of which will not selectivelyand materially benefit the membership or activists of the organization
  16. right to work laws: outlaw union membership as a condition of employment.
  17. selective benefits: are goods that a group can rstrict to those who pay their yearly dues such as information publications.
  18. single issue group: can be defined as a group that has a narrow interest dislikes compromise and single midedly pursues its goal.
  19. subgovernments: are composed of key interest groups leaders interested in policy.
  20. union shop: requires new employees to join the union representing them.