AP Government
Mr. Hechter
Terms and Objectives Questions
Be sure you understand the terms.
Comprehensively answer each of the objective questions.
Chapter 11 terms:
1. Actual group
2. Amicus curiae briefs
3. Class action lawsuits
4. Collective good
5. Electioneering
6. Elite theory
7. Free-rider problem
8. Hyperpluralist theory
9. Interest group
10. Lobbying
11. Olson’s law of large groups
12. Pluralist theory
13. Potential group
14. Public interest lobbies
15. Right to work laws
16. Selective benefits
17. Single-issue group
18. Subgovernments
19. Union shop
Chapter 11 objectives questions:
1. Describe the fundamental differences between interest groups and political parties.
2. Explain each of the theories of interest group politics: pluralist theory, elite theory and
hyperpluralist theory.
3. Discuss the factors that tend to make an interest group successful.
4. Explain how interest group liberalism may or may not be promoted by the network of
subgovernments in the American political system.
5. Identify the differences between a potential group and an actual group and describe how
the free-rider problem applies.
6. Explain how interest groups try to shape public policy and how lobbyists represent
interest groups in influencing the legislative agenda?
7. Differentiate the various forms of interest groups such as economic interest and public
interest groups.
8. Evaluate the appropriate role of interest groups within a democratic environment.