7 Participation and Political Organization Free Online FlashCards

What is an interest group?

Interest groups organize people or institutions around shared concerns and seek to influence public policy.

How can interest groups try to influence policy?

They may lobby officials, provide expertise, submit evidence to consultations, fund campaigns, or mobilize members.

What is a social movement?

A social movement is a network of people mobilizing, often outside established political institutions, to promote or resist social or political change.

What does civil society include?

Civil society is the sphere of voluntary, organized social life outside the state and private household.

What counts as political participation?

Political participation includes organized activity and individual actions such as voting, contacting officials, discussing public affairs, and signing petitions.

How can a union and a workers' rights campaign fit different categories?

A union is an interest group and part of civil society; a workers' rights campaign may become a social movement.

What is pluralism in political organization?

Pluralism is an approach in which multiple groups compete to influence policy, often through campaigns, lobbying, elections, and consultation.

What characterizes corporatist consultation?

Corporatist consultation involves governments regularly including established organizations, commonly employers' associations and trade unions, in formal policy discussions.

What is a potential weakness of pluralist competition?

Groups with more money, expertise, or access may gain an advantage, even when competition opens debate to many voices.

What is a risk of corporatist consultation?

Regular consultation can bring expertise into policymaking, but established organizations may become insiders while newer or less-resourced groups remain outside.

How can you assess participation where governments control organizations?

Assess whether associations can form freely, represent members independently, and criticize public authorities—not just how many organizations or meetings exist.

What does compulsory voting in Australia show—and not show?

Australia requires voting in national elections; compulsory voting affects expectations and turnout but does not by itself show whether people feel represented.