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Texas State University
POSI 2310 Waples, American Government:
Stories of a Nation for the AP® Course, 1e,
Chapter 15 Questions and Answers 2026
Latest Update
interest groups Ans: Voluntary associations of people who come together
with the goal of getting the policies that they favor enacted.
social movements Ans: Diffuse groups that educate the public and put
pressure on policymakers in an effort to bring about societal change.
theory of participatory democracy Ans: The belief that citizens impact
policymaking through their involvement in civil society.
civil society Ans: Groups outside the government that advocate for policy.
pluralist theory Ans: A theory that political power is distributed among
many competing groups, which means that no single group can grow too
powerful.
elitist theory Ans: A theory that the wealthy elite class has a
disproportionate amount of economic and political power.
policy agenda Ans: The set of issues to which government officials, voters,
and the public are paying attention.
collective action Ans: Political action that occurs when individuals
contribute their energy, time, or money to a larger group goal.
collective good Ans: Also called a public good; a public benefit that
individuals can enjoy or profit from even if they do not help achieve it.
free riders Ans: Individuals who enjoy collective goods and benefit from the
actions of an interest group without joining.
© 2026 All rights reserved
Texas State University
POSI 2310 Waples, American Government:
Stories of a Nation for the AP® Course, 1e,
Chapter 15 Questions and Answers 2026
Latest Update
interest groups Ans: Voluntary associations of people who come together
with the goal of getting the policies that they favor enacted.
social movements Ans: Diffuse groups that educate the public and put
pressure on policymakers in an effort to bring about societal change.
theory of participatory democracy Ans: The belief that citizens impact
policymaking through their involvement in civil society.
civil society Ans: Groups outside the government that advocate for policy.
pluralist theory Ans: A theory that political power is distributed among
many competing groups, which means that no single group can grow too
powerful.
elitist theory Ans: A theory that the wealthy elite class has a
disproportionate amount of economic and political power.
policy agenda Ans: The set of issues to which government officials, voters,
and the public are paying attention.
collective action Ans: Political action that occurs when individuals
contribute their energy, time, or money to a larger group goal.
collective good Ans: Also called a public good; a public benefit that
individuals can enjoy or profit from even if they do not help achieve it.
free riders Ans: Individuals who enjoy collective goods and benefit from the
actions of an interest group without joining.
© 2026 All rights reserved
