Does pluralism or transactions theory provide a more accurate ...

[clippers!]

Does pluralism or transactions theory provide a more accurate representation of the interest group system today?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Studies have shown that political action committees (PACs) contribute disproportionately to incumbent candidates
 
  Why do PACs pursue this strategy in their campaign contributions? Which specific incumbents are most likely to receive money from PACs?

[Tonyam972]

Answer to Question 1

Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Describe pluralism as a theory that assumes that political power is distributed among a wide range of diverse and competing interests.
2. Describe the major assumption of transactions theory, which is that public policies are the result of narrowly defined exchanges among political actors.
3. Explain how transactions theory contrasts with pluralism: given that those individuals with more time and money have lower transaction costs, they are more likely to be politically active, thus creating bias in the interest group system.
4. Argue which theory is a more accurate representation of interest group politics today, providing one or more examples of actual interest groups as support.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Explain that PACs are strategic in how they invest their funds; they want to get the most impact out of their contributions.
2. Note that incumbent candidates are more likely to win, so groups that donate to PACs are more likely to gain access to elected officials after the election.
3. Explain that PACs tend to give money to those who serve on committees that address issues that are important to the group sponsoring the PAC and to lawmakers who have previously supported the group's policies. Note that both of these groups are incumbents.