Do Now Write down Date and Daily Objective in notebooks Prepare for memorization recitation this block

Influencing Government Chapter 11 Influencing Government

Section 1 Forming Public Opinion

Guide to Reading Big Idea A democratic society requires active participation of its citizens. Section 1-Main Idea

Public Opinion Public opinion, the ideas and attitudes most people hold, plays a vital role in our democracy. Section 1

Public Opinion (cont.) Public opinion refers to ideas and attitudes people hold about a particular issue or person. Public opinion is of political importance. Section 1

Public Opinion (cont.) Sources of public opinion: Personal background (age, gender, income, race, religion, occupation, place of residence) Mass media Public officials Interest groups Section 1

Public Opinion (cont.) Three features of public opinion: Direction Intensity Stability Section 1

Measuring Public Opinion The most common way of measuring public opinion is with public opinion polls. Section 1

Measuring Public Opinion (cont.) Public opinion polls measure public opinion. Pollster is a specialist who measures the president’s popularity or towards possible proposals Section 1

Measuring Public Opinion (cont.) Sampling public opinion: People in sample are selected at random Well-constructed sample reflects the entire population Wording questions to find people’s true opinions Push polls worded to influence responses Section 1

Measuring Public Opinion (cont.) Arguments for and against polling: Allows officeholders to keep in touch with citizens’ ideas Makes officials more concerned with public opinion than leadership and decision-making Affect elections and voter turnout Section 1

Section 2 The Mass Media

The Big Idea In a democratic society, various forces shape people’s ideas. The media have a profound influence on the ideas and behavior of the American people and their government. Chapter Intro 2

The Media’s Impact The nation’s media are an important influence on politics and government and also help set the public agenda. Section 2

The Media’s Impact (cont.) The mass media influences politics and government, and connects the people and elected officials. Section 2

The Media’s Impact (cont.) Newspapers, magazines, newsletters, and books as examples of print media Radio, television, and the Internet as examples of electronic media Influence of profit on news coverage Section 2

The Media’s Impact (cont.) Influence of the media on: The public agenda Political candidates Section 2

The Media’s Impact (cont.) Relationship between politicians and journalists Purpose of government leaks to the media Watchdog role of the mass media Conflicts between national security and citizens’ need for information Section 2

Media Safeguards Freedom of the press is protected by the U.S. Constitution, although some regulation is permitted. Section 2

Media Safeguards (cont.) The government protects the ability of the mass media to operate freely. The First Amendment and freedom of the press Freedom from prior restraint Libel and limits to freedom of the press Supreme Court ruled that public officials must prove actual malice, or evil intent, by publisher Section 2

Media Safeguards (cont.) The media’s right to keep sources secret The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as a regulatory commission of the federal bureaucracy Section 2

Section 3 Interest Groups

The Big Idea Political and economic institutions evolve to help individuals and groups accomplish their goals. Interest groups, a powerful force in our democracy, use various techniques to influence public opinion and policy. Chapter Intro 2

Types of Interest Groups Interest groups are an important part of our democratic process because they influence public policy. Section 3

Types of Interest Groups (cont.) Interest groups are organizations of people who unite to promote their ideas. Section 3

Types of Interest Groups (cont.) Economic interest groups: U.S. Chamber of Commerce promoting free enterprise Tobacco Institute representing cigarette manufacturers AFL-CIO representing workers The American Medical Association representing doctors Section 3

Types of Interest Groups (cont.) Other interest groups: NAACP improving the lives of African Americans NOW representing women’s interests AARP promoting interests of older Americans Sierra Club protecting nature NRA looking after interests of gun owners Section 3

Types of Interest Groups (cont.) Public interest groups working to benefit Americans in general League of Women Voters is an example of a nonpartisan, or impartial group Interests groups supporting candidates and forming political action committees Interest groups bringing cases to court Section 3

Types of Interest Groups (cont.) Interest groups influencing lawmakers by using lobbyists who: have a good understanding of how the government functions. know which government department to contact about concerns. supply lawmakers with useful information that help their own cases. Section 3

Types of Interest Groups (cont.) suggest solutions and problems to lawmakers. prepare their own drafts of bills for lawmakers. testify in legislative hearings on bills. see that laws are enforced. Section 3

Techniques Interest Groups Use Interest groups use various techniques to influence public opinion and policy. Section 3

Techniques Interest Groups Use (cont.) Interest groups use a variety of techniques to influence public opinion and policy: Direct mail Advertising Organize public events and protests Propaganda Section 3

Techniques Interest Groups Use (cont.) Regulating interest groups: Limits on PAC contributions Registration and disclosure requirements for lobbyists Waiting period before former government officials can become lobbyists Section 3

Techniques Interest Groups Use (cont.) Controversy surrounding interest groups and lobbying Section 3

Section 1-Polling Question What Do YOU Think? Do you agree that politicians should ignore public opinion and do what they believe is best for the country? Do you think pollsters hired by elected officials should use push polls? Do you think that the media’s need to make a profit causes the media to misrepresent some issues? Do you agree that groups with greater financial resources can exercise more influence over public policy than groups with fewer financial resources? Section 1-Polling Question

Due Today Memorization from yesterday Ch. 11 Vocabulary (or write all the words and turn in tomorrow but you must be working all hour for credit)