1. Propaganda and Interest Groups

2. American Civics
11/15/2018
Propaganda
Propaganda is ideas spread to influence public opinion, consumers, and voters.
Mass media and communications technology enable the spread of propaganda.
Concealed propaganda attempts to fool people.
Revealed propaganda makes people aware that it is trying to influence them.
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3. Propaganda Techniques
To promote their views, interest groups may use propaganda techniques such as:
Endorsements
Card Stacking
The Bandwagon
Glittering Generalities
Symbols
“Just Plain Folks,”
Name-Calling

4. Endorsements

5. Card Stacking

6. The Bandwagon

7. Glittering Generalities

8. Symbols

9. “Just Plain Folks”

10. Name-Calling

11. Types of Interest Groups
Groups based on economic interests are some of the most powerful. The Chamber of Commerce, one of the largest, promotes free enterprise.
Others, such as the Tobacco Institute, represent specific types of businesses.

12. Labor Unions
Labor unions work for the economic interests of workers.
The largest, the AFL-CIO, is an alliance of labor unions.
Professionals, such as doctors and lawyers, have their own interest groups.
Norma Rae

13. Public Interest Groups
Public interest groups support causes that affect the lives of Americans in general, rather than just the special interests of their own members.
For example, Common Cause promotes laws to control pollution and protect consumers.

14. Influencing Government
Public policy is the course of action the government takes in response to an issue or problem.
The primary goal of interest groups is to influence public policy.

15. Lobbyists
Lobbyists are representatives of interest groups who contact government officials directly to influence their policy making.
Lobbyists understand how government functions.
They know where to go and whom to see.
They know how to make friends and talk persuasively.

16. The Role of Lobbyists
For lobbyists, information is an important resource.
Lawmakers need information about issues. Lobbyists supply it.
They suggest solutions to problems.
They sometimes draft bills for lawmakers to consider and testify in hearings on bills.
Once laws are enacted, lobbyists help to see that the laws are carried out, enforced, and stand up in court.

17. Regulation of Interest Groups
Laws regulate the activities of interest groups to prevent abuses, such as winning lawmakers’ votes by offering fancy meals and gifts.

18. The Federal Election Campaign Act & The Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act
The Federal Election Campaign Act limits the amount PACs may contribute to candidates for national office.
The Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act requires lobbyists to register and to disclose who hired them, how much they are paid, and how they spend money related to their work.

19. Criticisms
Critics claim that campaign contributions give interest groups improper influence over officeholders.
Others point out that membership in interest groups with skilled lobbyists give citizens a way to increase their influence.

20. contacting public officials
American Civics
11/15/2018
Question: What are five ways that citizens can participate in government?
How Citizens Can Participate in Government
voting
speaking out on issues
working for a political party
contacting public officials
volunteering in the community
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