Objective 1: Define Interest Groups and Distinguish Them from Political Parties

AP Gov Unit 4 Ch 11, 12 & 14

Chapter 11 – Interest Groups

Objective 1: Define interest groups and distinguish them from political parties.

1. Provide a definition of the term “interest group”.

1. Name two factors that distinguish interest groups from political parties.

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Objective 2: Compare and contrast the pluralist, elite, and hyperpluralist theories of interest groups.

TheoryDefinition RoleWho Holds PowerImpact

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List five essential arguments of the group theory of politics.

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1. List four major points made by the elitist view of the interest group system.

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1. List the three major points of the hyperpluralist position on group politics.

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Objective 3. Explain what makes a group successful and why small groups have an advantage over large groups.

1. What is the difference between a potential group and an actual group?

1. What is Olson’s law of large groups?

1. Define the term single-issue group and give an example.

Objective 4. Identify and describe the strategies that groups use to shape public policy.

1. List the four general strategies used by interest groups to shape public policy.

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1. What are the two basic types of lobbyists?

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1. List four important ways lobbyists can help a member of Congress.

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1. Why does PAC money go so overwhelmingly to incumbents?

1. What is an amicus curiae brief?

1. What was the main purpose of the Taft-Hartley Act?

1. What are the two main organizations that speak for corporations and business?

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1. What is meant by a public interest lobby?

1. List three items environmental groups have promoted and three items they have opposed.

PromotedOpposed

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1. Name two important organizations involved in promoting equality and summarize their major goals.

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Don’t forget Chapter 11 Key Terms!

AP Government – Legislative Branch – Chapters 12 & 14

1. List seven perks members of Congress receive.

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1. Describe a “typical” member of congress in terms of the following categories.

Sex:

Race:

Age:

Religion:

Prior Occupation:

Wealth:

1. What is the difference between descriptive and substantive representation?

1. List and explain four advantages incumbents have over their opponents in congressional elections.

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1. What is the difference between casework and pork barrel?

1. List and explain three ways that an incumbent might be defeated.

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1. What are the main criticisms of political action committees? (PAC’s)

1. List three criticisms of term limitations.

1. What are the main functions of the House Rules Committee:

1. List four formal powers of the Speaker of the House?

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1. List the four types of congressional committees.

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1. What is meant by legislative oversight?

1. How does the seniority system work?

1. List three congressional staff agencies.

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1. Draw a diagram of “How a Bill Become Law”.

1. List the ten times a president must usually win in order to hope for final passage of his or her proposed legislation.

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1. List three ways Congress can frustrate the activities of lobbyists.

Don’t forget Chapter 12 Key Terms!

Chapter 14

1. List four sources of federal revenues.

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1. How does the federal government borrow money?

1. List two criticisms of a balanced budget amendment.

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1. Define tax expenditures and give three examples.

Examples: 1.

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5,What were the three major reforms of the Tax Reform Act of 1986?

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1. Name the two conditions associated with government growth in America.

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1. What is meant by the phrase “military industrial complex”?

1. Explain how Social Security is a kind of intergenerational contract.

1. List four features of incremental budgeting.

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1. Define entitlements. Why are these “uncontrollable expenditures?

1. Beginning with the largest category, rank order the revenues and expenditures of the federal budget.

RevenuesExpenditures

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1. List the ten main actors in the budgetary process.

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1. Explain the three provisions of the congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974.

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1. What is meant by a budget resolution?

1. Explain the two ways in which laws are changed to meet the budget resolution.

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1. What was the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act and why did it fail?

Don’t forget Chapter 14 Key Terms!