Chapter 11 Essay Test Question ??? Question #3 a. Identify the fundamental goal of interest groups in the political process. The fundamental goal of interest groups is to influence public policy, change laws, and influence congress. An interest group is an organization of people with shared policy goals entering the policy process at several points to try to achieve those goals. Interest groups go after specific goals, and have specialists helping them rather.
They support the issues of candidates rather than run them. Interest groups have their members rally under a common issue, and put forth all their effort to change legislation or influence legislation for that specific cause. b. Identify the fundamental goal of major political parties in the political process. The fundamental goal of political parties is to elect their candidates into office, gain control of the government, and pass their legislation.
A political party is a political organization that seeks to attain political power within a government, usually by participating in electoral campaigns. Political parties fight their battles through the electoral process, and they run their candidates for office. c. Describe two different ways by which interest groups support the fundamental goal of political parties in the political process. Funding and mobilizing people to vote are two different ways interest groups help support the fundamental goal of political parties in the political process.
Interest groups help candidates attain money needed to run an effective campaign. The interest groups have deep pockets and unlimited resources which they use to supply the candidates they favor until their legislation is passed. They also help by having the people go out and actually vote; if the interest group has a large following, the candidate can count on the votes of its members and followers. d.
For one of the forms of support you describes, explain two different ways in which that form of support helps interest groups to achieve their fundamental goal in the political process. By funding candidates the interest groups gain notoriety, and more media attention. Also by funding candidates, interest groups raise the chances of their candidate being elected; in turn hoping that the election of the candidate will come with the legislation of the interest group getting passed.