Question: A flaw in pluralism theory is the fact that

Answer: the interest group system is unrepresentative, because some interests are far better organized and more powerful than others.

Question: Political scientist Theodore Lowi has questioned pluralist theory by suggesting that

Answer: there is no concept of the public interest in a system that gives special interests the ability to determine the policies affecting them.

Question: James Madison’s solution to the problem of factions (special interests) has, in the modern policy process, actually contributed to the problem by

Answer: resulting in a fragmentation of authority among policymakers, thereby providing groups more opportunities to get their way.

Question: James Madison argued

Answer: for regulation of interests through a governing system of checks and balances.

Question: In the dynamics of an iron triangle, what benefit do interest groups provide to friendly government agencies?

Answer: lobbying support for agency programs

Question: An informal grouping of officials, lobbyists, and policy specialists who come together temporarily around a policy problem is

Answer: an issue network.

Question: A main difference between iron triangles and issue networks is that

Answer: issue networks are generally less stable than iron triangles, in that the members of an issue network may change as the issue develops.

Question: The term iron triangle refers to

Answer: a small and informal but relatively stable set of bureaucrats, legislators, and lobbyists who are concerned with promoting a particular interest.

Question: “Agency capture” occurs when

Answer: regulatory agencies side with the industries they are supposed to regulate rather than with the public.

Question: The situation in which individuals are tempted not to contribute to a cause because they will get the benefits even if they do not participate is called the

Answer: free-rider problem