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interest group
an organized group of individuals sharing common objectives who actively attempt to influence policymakers.
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purposive incentive
a reason to join an interest group-satisfaction resulting from working for a cause in which one believes.
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solidary incentive
a reason to join an interest group-pleasure in associating with like-minded individuals.
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material incentive
a reason to join an interest group-practical benefits such as discounts, subscriptions, or group insurance.
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free rider program
the difficulty that exists when individuals can enjoy the outcome of an interest group's efforts without having to contribute, such as by becoming members of the group.
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pluralist theory
a theory that views politics as a contest among various interest groups-at all levels of government-to gain benefits for their members.
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public-interest group
an interest group formed for the purpose of working for the "public good." Examples are the American Civil Liberties Union and Common Cause.
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trade organization
an association formed by members of a particular industry, such as the oil industry, to develop common standards and goals for the industry. Trade organizations, as interest groups, lobby government for legislation or regulations that specifically benefit their members.
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labor force
all of the people over the age of sixteen who are working or actively looking for jobs.
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right-to-work laws
laws that ban unions from collecting dues or other fees from workers whom they represent but who have not actually joined the union.
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direct technique
any method used by an interest group to interact with government officials directly to further the group's goals.
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lobbying
all of the attempts by organizations or by individuals to influence the passage, defeat, or contents of legislation or to influence the administrative decisions of government.
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lobbyist
an individual who handles a particular interest group's lobbying efforts
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political action committee (PAC)
a committee that is established by a corporation, labor union, or special interest group to raise funds and make campaign contributions on the establishing organization's behalf.
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independent expenditure
an expenditure for activities that are independent from (not coordinated with) those of a political candidate or a political party.
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indirect technique
any method used by interest groups to influence government officials through third parties, such as voters.
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rating system
a system by which a particular interest group evaluates (rates) the performance of legislators based on how often the legislators have voted with the group's position on particular issues.
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