What is by-product participation? | A political activity conducted by groups whose principal organizational purpose is the pursuit of some nonpolitical goal. |
What is an political entrepreneur? | A leading group participant who is so committed to the group's goals, and/or so skilled in the pursuit of that goal, that he or she does not need selective interests. |
What is inside lobbying? | Activities by lobbyists and interest group leaders that involve direct contact with policy makers. |
What is an interest group? | Any group, other than a political party, that is organized to influence the government. |
What is a latent interest? | A concern shared by a group of people on which they have not yet chosen to act collectively. |
What is lobbying? | An attempt to influence public officials by speaking to them directly or by pressuring them through their constituents. |
What is outside lobbying? | Activities by interest group leaders that seek to mobilize constituents and others outside the policy making community to contact or pressure policy makers. |
Define pluralism. | A view of the American political system that emphasizes the fact that a large number of diverse interest groups are involved in the political process, and that any given group may be influential on some occasions and not on others. |
What is a selective incentive? | A benefit that a group can offer to potential members in exchange for participation, as a way of encouraging that involvement. |
What is a social movement? | A loose coalition of groups and organizations with common goals that are oriented toward using mass action to influence the government. |
What is a special donor? | A potential participant in a group for whom the cost of participating is very low and/or the benefits of participating are very high. |
What is a boycott? | A form of pressure or protest |
What is climate control (in politics)? | The use of public relations techniques to create favorable public opinion toward an interest group, industry, or corporation. |
What is direct technique (in politics)? | An interest group activity that involves interaction with government officials to further the group |
What is the free rider problem? | The difficulty interest groups face in recruiting members when the benefits they achieve can be gained without joining the group. |
What is the indirect technique (in politics)? | A strategy employed by interest groups that uses third parties to influence government officials. |
What is the labor movement? | Generally, the economic and political expression of working-class interests; politically, the organization of working-class interests. |
What is a lobbyist? | An organization or individual who attempts to influence legislation and the administrative decisions of government. |
What is a material incentive? | A reason or motive for supporting or participating in the activities of a group based on economic benefits or opportunities. |
What is the public interest? | The best interests of the overall community; the national good, rather than the narrow interests of a particular group. |
What is a purposive/moral incentive? | A reason for supporting or participating in the activities of a group based on agreement with the goals of the group. For example, someone with a strong interest in human rights might have a purposive incentive to join Amnesty International. |
What is the service sector? | The sector of the economy that provides services |
What is a solidary incentive? | A reason or motive for supporting or participating in the activities of a group based on the desire to associate with others and to share with others a particular interest or hobby. |
What is grassroots Lobbying? | Lobbying conducted by rank-and-file members of an interest group. |
What is a public interest lobby? | A group that promotes some conception of the public interest rather than the narrowly defined economic or other special interests of its members. |