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Public Policy A general agreement of how government will deal with certain issues or problems of the community Example: the Town Center- encouraging the.

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Presentation on theme: "Public Policy A general agreement of how government will deal with certain issues or problems of the community Example: the Town Center- encouraging the."— Presentation transcript:

1 Public Policy A general agreement of how government will deal with certain issues or problems of the community Example: the Town Center- encouraging the development of a downtown Virginia Beach

2 How individuals influence public policy
Participating in politics Voting Campaigning Expressing opinions

3 How individuals influence public policy (cont.)
Lobbying Trying to persuade the government to support your goals Demonstrating Writing letters Joining interests groups

4 Interest Groups Group of people who come together to support a common cause Strength in numbers

5 How interest groups influence public policy
Identifying issues Making political contributions Lobbying government officials Representing different viewpoints Publicizing issues

6 Mass Media influence on public opinion and public policy
Focusing public attention on selected issues Offering a forum in which opposing viewpoints are communicated Holding government officials accountable to the public Providing the opportunity for government officials to use the media to communicate with the public

7 The Political Spectrum
Reactionaries Very conservative Want to return to traditional policies (the way things were) Radicals Very liberal Want sweeping changes in government policies Willing to resort to violence

8 The Political Spectrum
Conservatives Want limited government Oppose government regulation Believe the individual should take care of himself Support ending affirmative action, reinstating school prayer Tend to be Republicans Liberals Want more government Believe government should help the individual Support programs for the poor, public housing Tend to be Democrats

9 The Political Spectrum
Moderates Move between conservatives and liberals Support government action in some areas and reject it in others

10 http://www. cyberlearning-world. com/lessons/civics/electoral_process

11 Functions of Political Parties
Recruiting and nominating candidates Educating the electorate about campaign issues Helping candidates win elections Monitoring actions of officeholders Raising money for campaigns

12 Similarities between parties
Organize to win elections Influence public policies Reflect both liberal and conservative views Define themselves in a way that wins majority support by appealing to the political center

13 Differences between parties
Stated in a party’s platform and reflected in campaigning

14 Advantages and Disadvantages of the two-party system
Political stability Continuity in government Disadvantages Less opportunity to represent minority views Requirement for a majority vote in the Electoral College

15 Third parties Failure of the major parties to address popular causes and issues Introduce new ideas or press for a particular issue Often revolve around a political personality (e.g., Theodore Roosevelt)

16 Political Parties Republicans- Modern party usually associated with conservatives and tax cuts Democrats- Modern party usually associated with using government to solve problems and liberals

17 Running for Public Office
Recruitment Nomination (selected to represent a political party) Primary elections Party members vote to select candidate Caucuses Meeting where party members select candidate Convention Party members select delegates to choose candidate Political Campaigns

18 Mass Media Roles in Elections
Identifying candidates Emphasizing selected issues Writing editorials, creating political cartoons, publishing op-ed pieces, political commentaries Broadcasting different points of view, debates Public opinion polls Endorsing candidates

19 Propaganda Promote a particular idea or viewpoint. Trying to persuade or influence people to do something.

20 Propaganda Techniques
Endorsements- have famous people endorse or support the candidate Stacked Cards- present only one side of an issue. Ignore the negative

21 Propaganda Techniques (cont.)
The Bandwagon- convince people that everyone else is going to vote for the candidate or issue Glittering Generality- Statement that sounds good but essentially means nothing

22 Propaganda Techniques (cont.)
Symbols- candidate will use symbols to appeal to the public Just Plain Folk- make people think the candidate is just like them Name-calling- try to turn people against the opponent by using negative descriptions

23 Rising Campaigns Costs
Require candidates to conduct extensive fund-raising activities Give an advantage to the wealthy individuals who run for office Encourage the development of political action committees (PACS) Special interest groups who provide money to candidates who support their cause

24 Rising Campaign Costs (cont.)
Give issue-oriented special interests groups increased influence Limits opportunities to run for public office

25 Campaign Finance Reform
Rising campaign costs have led to efforts to reform campaign finance laws Limits exist on the amount individuals may contribute to political candidates and campaigns

26 To each candidate or candidate committee per election To national party committee per calendar year To state, district & local party committee per calendar year To any other political committee per calendar year[1] Special Limits Individual may give $2,500* $30,800* $10,000 (combined limit) $5,000 $117,000* overall biennial limit: $46,200* to all candidates $70,800* to all PACs and parties[2] National Party Committee may give No limit $43,100* to Senate candidate per campaign[3] State, District & Local Party Committee may give $5,000 (combined limit) PAC (multicandidate)[4 may give $15,000 PAC (not multicandidate) may give Authorized Campaign Committee may give $2,000[5] Contribution Limits

27 Qualifications to Register to Vote in Virginia
Citizen of the United States Resident of Virginia and Precinct 18 years of age by day of general election

28 How to Register in Virginia
In person, at the registrar’s office, at the Division of Motor Vehicles, or at other designated sites By mail application Registration is closed 29 days before elections

29 Absentee Voting If a voter is unable to get to the voting station on election day, he/she can vote via an absentee ballot Absentee ballots are mailed in and counted after the election

30 Factors in Predicting which Citizens will Vote
Education Age Income

31 Why Citizens Fail to Vote
Lack of Interest (voter apathy) Failure to register

32 Every vote is important!!!!
Why vote? The percentage of voters who participate in presidential elections is usually greater than the percentage of voters who participate in state and local elections Every vote is important!!!!


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