Download 15-16 Chapter 10 11 Power Point 4 Influencing Government

“Influencing Government”
Influencing Government
There are three major
groups that influence
our government.
• Individuals
• Interest Groups
• Media
Individuals Impacting the
Government
Individuals influence the
government by
• Contributing to or working on
campaigns
• Running for political office
• Voting in elections
• Petitioning the government
for change
Interest Groups

An Interest Group is an
organized group of individuals
who share a point of view
about an issue. (Interest
groups are not a part of the
government – they are made
up of individual people!)
Types of Interest Groups

Economic interest groups try to
influence government policies that
affect their industry or profession. (ExAmerican Farm Bureau Federation)

Issue-oriented interest groups focus on
a specific issue or cause (Ex-NAACP,
NRA)

Public-interest groups promote the
interests of the general public (Ex –
National Wildlife Federation)
How Interest Groups Influence
Government
Participate In Election Activities
• Interest groups often supply workers/money to election
campaigns.
• Political Action Committees (PACs) are organizations set up
by interest groups primarily to collect money to support
favored candidates.
The Influence of Interest Groups

Bringing Cases to
Court
– Interest Groups
influence public policy
by bringing cases to
court to test the
constitutionality of
laws.
How Interest Groups Influence
Public Policy
Lobbying Lawmakers
Lobbyists are paid representatives of interest groups who
contact lawmakers or other government officials directly to
influence their policy making.
– Lobbyists might argue
for/against bills.
– Government officials often
rely on lobbyists for
information/opinions.
– Lobbyists sometimes help
write bills.
Media
Mass media – forms of communication that transmit
information to large numbers of people
There are two types of media:
- Print media – newspapers,
magazines, newsletters and
books.
- Electronic media – radio,
television, and the Internet
(social networking,
Facebook, Twitter)
How the Media Influences
Government
Shapes Public Opinion
– Individuals and groups
use the media to shape
public opinion, or the
total of the opinions held
concerning a particular
issue.
– Ideas that are spread to
influence people are
called propaganda.
How the Media Influences
Government
Impacts Elections


Media is used by candidates for
campaigning (advertisements, etc.)
Various groups/individuals provide
campaign coverage (news/updates) via
television, newspapers, radio, internet,
etc.
How the Media Influences
Government
Provides a Medium for Elected Officials to:
-
Hold press conferences
Stage media events
Be interviewed by people in the media
Leak information to test public reaction
How the Media Influences
Government
Serve as a Watchdog

Journalists play an
important role in exposing
government corruption
and waste.
How the Media Influences
Government
Media and National Security

There are tensions regarding
American citizens’ right to know
and the need for the government
to protect national security.
How the Media Influences
Government


Political Bias – or prejudice
– in the media might or
might not be obvious.
Responsible citizens must
– Think critically about what
they see, hear, and read in the
media, as information can be
inaccurate or misleading.
– Be able to distinguish between
fact and opinion.
Techniques of Influence
Propaganda – an
attempt to promote a
particular person or
idea.
 Often found in print or
electronic media

Types of Propaganda
Endorsements/Testimonial
-
“I’m voting for Candidate A
and so should you.”
Stacked Cards
-
“Candidate A has the best
record on the environment”
Name – Calling
- “Candidate A is a dangerous
extremist”
Types of Propaganda
Glittering Generality
-
“Candidate A is the one who
will bring us peace and
prosperity”
Transfer Symbols
-
“I pledge allegiance…..”
Types of Propaganda
Just Plain Folks
-
“My parents were ordinary,
hardworking people…”
The Bandwagon
-
“Polls show our candidate is
pulling ahead”