MCAP Review 10: Influencing Government

A city council is considering a measure to ban skateboarding on city streets.

Which of these would be the most effective way for citizens to express their opposition (disagreement) to the ban?

• share their views at the next city council meeting

• boycott businesses located in the city

• refuse to vote in the next city council election

• write a letter to their representative in Congress

Answer explanation

The skateboard ban is a local law, so you have to influence the local (city) level of government.

It's not an economic issue, so a boycott won't work.

Other than voting, which of these is the best way for people to influence the government?

• Apply for a job.

• Write letters to representatives.

• Talk about politics with friends.

• Go to college.

Answer explanation

Writing or calling your representative in Congress is a good way to tell them what you think.

They have to care what voters think if they want to be re-elected and keep their jobs!

Which action is an example of civil disobedience?

• a person robbing a store

• people protesting outside Congress

• writing a letter to your member of Congress

• protesters laying down on a bridge to block traffic to protest police violence against minorities (Black and Hispanic people)

Answer explanation

Civil disobedience is a type of protest where you break an unfair law to make a point (like what Rosa Parks did).

Students at a state college recently decided to boycott the school cafeteria after an increase in the price of sodas.

Which outcome would be the most likely impact of the students’ actions?

• the college stops selling soda

• the college lowers the price of soda

• the college allows students to purchase soda off campus

• the college punishes students for participating in the soda boycott

Answer explanation

A boycott is a peaceful protest where people refuse to buy something in order to put pressure on a company.

Which of these describes the main purpose of an interest group?

• to influence government officials on specific issues

• to form a committee in Congress

• to regulate the economy

• to select cases for an appeals courts

Answer explanation

Interest groups can influence the government, but they are not part of the government.

In the United States, special interest groups

• vote for candidates favoring their views

• vote on bills favoring their cause

• conduct voting in the House and Senate

• supervise voting on election day

Answer explanation

Interest groups can influence the government, but they are not part of the government.

Which one is an example of an interest group?

• an organization whose focus is to advocate for laws favorable to the elderly (old people)

• an organization whose purpose is to nominate candidates to run for elected offices

• a private company that hires extra employees

• a charity that gives money to help poor children

Answer explanation

The purpose of an interest group is to influence the government on one issue.

For which of these does a lobbyist most likely work?

• an appeals court

• a special interest group

• the Senate

• the Electoral College

Answer explanation

A lobbyist's job is to influence the government, but they are not part of the government.

Which of these is an example of lobbying by a special interest group?

• a hotel makes a plan to attract more tourists

• an animal rights organization presents its views to legislators (lawmakers)

• a citizen asks city officials for a schedule of public hearings

• a neighborhood association backs a group of candidates for an election

Which of these explains a difference between political parties and interest groups?

• Political parties evaluate (judge) government policy, while interest groups set government policy.

• Political parties influence laws, while interest groups pass laws.

• Political parties address many issues, while interest groups usually focus on one issue.

• Political parties support candidates, while interest groups nominate candidates.

Answer explanation

Interest groups cannot pass laws or set policy, because they are not part of the government.

Interest groups can only influence the government.