Download Unit-3-4-Political Influence

Political Influence
What Influences Government?
Mass Media
Lobbyist
Propaganda
Public Opinion
Interest
Groups
Where does Public Opinion Come From?
Mass Media
gives off
powerful
images
Personal
background
such as: age, gender,
race, religion, income,
location, family, etc.
Interest groups
try to
persuade people to
their point
of view
An informed public has an advantage in
influencing the political direction of the nation
because it can
a. uphold the integrity of an election campaign.
b. send persuasive messages to government
officials.
c. determine how the voting process will
operate.
d. use public relations groups to impact
government policies.
Components of
Public Opinion
• Direction= Public
opinion is positive/
negative
• Intensity= Strength of
opinion on a given issue
• Stability= How firmly
people hold their views
– Less likely to change
Media’s Impact on Politics & Government
Make
it possible for
people to run,
who might have
not done so.
Set public agenda to
influence problems the
government considers
important
Elected Officials
1. use the media to show: hard
working & communicate
information
2. Press Secretary sets-up
conferences, interviews, &
media events.
3. Provide leaks to test the publics
reaction
Media’s Impact on Politics & Government
Play a watchdog
role to expose
government
waste & corruption
Attacks the government when it comes to national security ;
because of the tension for citizens need for information & USA
need for government to keep secrets to protect the nation,
its people, & programs.
In an election year, how does a responsible
media shape the results of the popular vote?
a. by exposing the personal flaws of candidates
b. by rallying support for particular candidates
c. by running advertisements exclusively for one
party
d. by informing viewers about important public
issues
Propaganda
• A lot of money spent on
creating the perfect image.
• Local campaigns hang
poster & give newspaper
ads
• State/ National campaigns
mainly use TV
– Each ad is 30 seconds &
can be viewed as unfair,
but most effective
– Canvassing – door to
door asking for votes,
taking public opinion
polls
All done in hopes,
to sway a
persons vote
Propaganda Techniques Campaigns Use
Endorsements
Symbols
Glittering
Generality
Name-Calling
Bandwagon
Stacked Cards
Just Plain Folks
A candidate running for state office used a slogan
implying that he will bring about big changes to
improve society. This kind of propaganda appeals
to voters by
a. explaining the leadership qualities of the
candidate.
b. inspiring a sense of purpose in supporting the
candidate.
c. publicizing endorsements by other major
figures.
d. bringing attention to the shortcomings of the
other candidates.
Influencing Government: Lobbying
Job is volunteer/ paid, &
lobbyist basically persuade
officials to support their
interest.
Government Uses:
1. Information resource
2. Suggest solutions to
problems
3. Draft bills
4. Testify in legislative hearings
5. Make sure laws are
carried out, enforced,
or upheld in court
To prevent an un-fair advantage,
inside information, or illegal actions the
government has placed regulations on all
lobbyist
How Do Interest Groups Influence
Government?
Pool resources,
increase chances
of influencing
decision makers.
Affect
public
policy
Bring Cases
to Court
Use political
resources &
PACs
to support
candidates
Economic:
US Chamber
of Commerce
& Tobacco
Institute
Types of Interest
Groups
Ethnicity:
NAACP &
Hispanic
America-USA
Gender:
National
Organization
For Women
Labor Unions:
American Federation
of Labor &
American Medical
Association
Issues:
Sierra Club, National Rifle Association,
Motion Picture Association of America, &
National Education Association of the USA
Age:
AARP