 | Term | Definition |
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Pluralism |
the theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in the government. The outcome of this competition is compromise and moderation. |
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Interest group |
individuals who organize to influence the government's programs and policies. |
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Membership association |
an organized group in which members actually play a substantial role, sitting on committees and engaging in group projects. |
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Staff organization |
a type of membership group in which a professional staff conducts most of the group's activities. |
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Collective goods |
benefits, sought by groups, that are broadly available and cannot be denied to non-members. |
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Free riders |
those who enjoy the benefits of collective goods but did not participate in acquiring them. |
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Informational benefits |
special newsletters, periodicals, training programs, conferences, and other information provided to members of groups to entice others to join. |
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Material benefits |
special goods, services, or money provided to members of groups to entice others to join. |
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Solidary benefits |
selective benefits of group membership that emphasize friendship, networking and consciousness-raising. |
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Purposive benefits |
selective benefits of group membership that emphasize the purpose and accomplishments of the group. |
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New Politics movement |
a political movement that began in the 1960s and 1970s, made up of professionals and intellectuals for whom the civil rights and antiwar movements were formative experiences. The New Politics movement strengthened public interest groups. |
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Public interest groups |
groups that claim they serve the general good rather than only their own particular interest. |
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Lobbying |
an attempt by a group to influence the policy process through persuasion of government officials. |
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Iron triangle |
the stable, cooperative relationship that often develops among a congressional committee, an administrative agency and one or more supportive interest groups. |
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Issue network |
a loose network of elected leaders, public officials, activists and interest groups drawn together by a specific policy issue. |
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Institutional advertising |
advertising designed to create a positive image of an organization. |
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Grassroots mobilization |
campaign in which a group mobilizes its membership to contact government officials in support of the group's position. |
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Political Action Committee (PAC) |
a private group that raises and distributes funds for use in election campaigns. |
