1. Interest Groups, and Beyond
Interest Groups- an organized group of people with common goals actively attempting to influence policymakers (government)
Lobbyist- an individual who attempts to influence legislation and government decisions
*Crash Course

2. Interest Groups, and Beyond
More than 2/3rds of Americans belong to at least one group or association.
-Retired
-Lawyers/Law Firms
-Securities/Investments
-Real Estate
-Health Professionals
-Insurance
-Leadership PACs
-Oil/Gas
-Lobbyists
-Pharmaceutical

3. Interest Groups, and Beyond
What do they do?
-Shape policy by getting voters together or putting pressure on lawmakers.

4. Interest Groups, and Beyond
What do they do?
-Gather information for the lawmakers

5. Senate/House of Representatives
Legislative Branch
Senate/House of Representatives
-Congressional Decisions/lawmaking

6. Executive Branch President/Cabinet
-What decisions has the president made?

7. Supreme Court and lower courts
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court and lower courts
-Interprets the meaning of laws, decides if laws uphold the constitution

8. Mass Media
Before we talk more about how interest groups get their information to the public, I think it is important that we discuss about the mediums that this can occur.

9. Mass Media
Is mass media’s impact on public opinion and political outcomes falls in line with the concept of limited government and balanced power?
-Functions-
-Entertainment
-Reporting the News
-Identifying public problems
-Socializing new generations
-Providing a political forum
-Making profits

10. Entertainment
The greatest number of radio and television hours are dedicated to this.
However, there is often a link between entertainment and political undertones.

11. Primary function of mass media in all forms.
Reporting the News
Primary function of mass media in all forms.
Media provides words and pictures about events, facts, personalities, and ideas

12. Identifying Public Problems
Plays a role in determining what the government ought to do and reveals what they do.
Media often sets the public agenda
Issues that are perceived as meriting public attention and gov. action

13. Socializing New Generations
Plays a role in political socialization of young people and immigrants.

14. Socializing New Generations
Plays a role in political socialization of young people and immigrants.