Interest Groups
PSC 327
Jenkins – Spring 2002
Mid-Term Questions
1. Groups in the United States come in many shapes and sizes. How can we distinguish
between groups generally and interest groups? Once we’ve determined what an interest
group is, how can we distinguish among interest groups? In other words, how are interest
groups categorized? Use examples to illustrate your points.
2. Theories such as pluralism and elitism have been developed to help explain the role groups
do and ought to play in the American political process. Compare and contrast pluralist and
elitist theory. Which, in your opinion, best describes the role of groups in contemporary U.S.
politics?
3. Describe the theories that attempt to explain how groups form, the problem they must
overcome in order to survive and strategies they pursue in order to form and maintain their
organization.
4. There are numerous factors in the political system, such as the Constitution, laws and
American culture, that influence the role groups generally play. Describe these factors and
how and why they influence the role of interest groups in American politics.
5. There are a number of factors that affect group influence and strategy, including group
resources, group structure, and the outside environment. Discuss how each of these factors
affects the influence of interest groups. In your opinion, which resources are most effective
for achieving group goals? Which structure do you think is most effective in promoting
interest group influence? What are the advantages and disadvantages to positive and hostile
outside environments?
6. Interest groups often work through political parties in an attempt to influence the electoral
process. Describe the methods groups use to influence political parties and how effective
these strategies are for helping group attain their overall goals.
7. Money is a key resource with which groups attempt to communicate with candidates. In
order to give money to candidates, groups must form political action committees (PACs).
What are PACs? Who forms PACs and why? What strategies do PACs pursue in
contributing to candidates? What factors influence how a PAC picks a strategy? How does
the strategy a PAC chooses affect patterns of giving and decisions on who to give money to?
8. Interest groups often pursue electoral strategies to persuade members and voters to support
(or not support) candidates. What strategies do groups use to influence voters? What
different types of groups are more likely to utilize these strategies?
9. Describe the current system of financing campaigns in U.S. national elections. What are the
major loopholes in this system? How do groups utilize these loopholes to maximize their
influence over the electoral process?
10. How would McCain-Feingold/Shay-Meehan reform our current system of financing
campaigns? In your opinion, how likely is it that these reforms will be successful in fixing
the problems in the current system? Numerous other suggestions have been developed to
reform the current system of financing campaigns in order to mitigate the role of interest
groups. Describe these reforms. Which of these reforms, in your opinion, would be the most
effective in reducing group influence over elections?
