Interest Groups
Terms
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- amicus curiae brief
- A brief is a document filed with a court containing a legal argument supporting a desired outcome in a particular case. An amicus curiae brief is filed by a party not directly involved in the litigation but with an interest in the outcome of the case.
- collective good
- Something enjoyed by all members of a society or community, such as clean air.
- direct technique
- Direct interaction with government officials that is used by interest groups to further their goals.
- economic interest group
- Interest groups that work to gain economic benefits for their members.
- Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act
- Sought to regulate the lobbying activities of pressure groups.
- free-rider problem
- Interest groups face this when people can benefit from their activities without actually joining or participating in the interest group.
- gridlock
- A complete lack of movement or progress in the passage of legistlation, typically resulting from conflicts between political parties or between Congress and president.
- incumbent
- A person who holds an office or an official position.
- indirect technique
- The use by interest groups of third parties to influence government officials and their decisions.
- Interest groups
- A group of organized individuals who share common goals and try to influence government decision makers on issues that directly or indirectly affect the members of the group.
- iron triangle
- A three-way alliance between political organizations or agents. Thought that these hinder the political process by putting their own interests ahead of national interests.
- labor movement
- Generally speaking, the concerns and expressions of hte working class regarding the economy and politics. In a political sense, the organization of working-class groups to further their economic and political interests.
- lobbying
- Efforts by individuals or organizations to pass, defeat, change, or influence the crafting of law and the decisions, policies, and actions of the government.
- material incentive
- An economic motivation for doing something.
- political action committee (PAC)
- An interest group that gives money collectd from members to political candidates or parties. PAC's have revolutionized campaign finance.
- pressure system
- A theory of American politics in which organized special interest groups dominate government.
- private interest group
- An interest group workng in the interests of a small group of people, as opposed to a public interest group.
- professional interest group
- Type of private interest group that represents the interests of professionals.
- public employee interests group
- A type of private interest group that works to further the interests of government employees.
- public interest
- To the benefit of the members of an entire community. Generallly, this is in contrast to a private interest, or something that is of benefit to and individual or group.
- public interest group
- A type of interest group that work on issues affecting broad segments of the population. Public interest groups often form as social movements mature.
- purposive incentive
- A motivation that is dependent on ethical beliefs, values, or idealogical principles.
- selective incentive
- Material benefits availabe to members of an interest group. These are given to avoid the "free-rider" problem.
- single-issue group
- Interest group concerned with a single issue, such as the National Rifle Association.
- social movement
- Activation of a segment of the public for political, economic, or social change.
- soft money
- Campaign contributions t
- solidary incentive
- Motivation based onthe shared association, hobbies, or interests.
- subsidy
- Financial aid that the goverment provides to individuals, groups, businesses, or other levels of government.