| a) An interest group is a collection of people who hope to influence the direction of policy on a certain issue. An example would be the National Rifle Association which represents the interests of gun owners.
b) Name three methods of how interest groups attempt to influence government.
-Lobbying, explaining to a legislator why the interest groups positions are correct.
-Campaign contributions to candidates up for re-election.
-Television or print advertising to shape the opinions of a certain Congressional district, often a district where a Congressman may be in a close race for re-election or is a challenger close to success.
c) By limiting the amount of money groups can give (McCain-Feingold restrictions on "soft" money contributions) and forcing lobbyists to disclose their gifts (Lobbying Disclosure Act).
Certain elections in America history have been seen as "realignment elections" where one or more party changes their position or simply ceases to exist.
a) Briefly describe three "realignment elections", making sure to explain why they are classified that way.
b) For each election, list an event that happened in the years before it that played a pivotal role in leading to the realignment. |