1. Connecting the people to the political process
Linking Groups
Connecting the people to the political process

2. Public Opinion – the attitudes held by a significant number of people on matters of government and politics
There are many Publics of people
Publics refer to a group of people who share a common attitude on a matter
Membership of groups shift from topic to topic
Public opinion is specific to attitudes on Public Affairs
Politics
Public issues
Legislation
Enforcement

3. Public Opinion
Opinions are formed through a combination of differing agents of socialization
Family
School
Media
Peers
Opinion Leaders
History

4. Public Opinion Public opinion polls
Devices that attempt to collect information about people’s attitudes on public affairs
Straw votes
Ask huge numbers the same question
Not scientific
Not reliable because the sample group is too narrow

5. Public Opinion Scientific polling Five step process
Define the population (group) you want to study
Construct a sample of about 1,500 people (yeah, that small works!)
Create carefully worded questions
Interview the sample group
Analyze the findings
Fairly reliable at the national level

6. Public Opinion Public Policy
The ACTIONS taken by the government to address public opinion

7. Public Opinion
Public Policy -- The ACTIONS taken by the government to address public opinion
If politicians want to be re-elected, they make public policy based on public opinion as much as possible

8. Public Opinion Public Policy & Public Opinion
Public Opinion DRIVES Public Policy

9. Political Parties
The goal of political parties is to try to influence government through getting members elected to office

10. There are two strong political parties in the USA
Democrats
Left wing
Liberal
Republicans
Right wing
Conservative

11. Political Parties
Reasons we have a history of the two-party system in the USA
History
Not mentioned in the Constitution
Started almost immediately after Constitution was signed
Tend to moderate, not alienate
Tradition
It is important because it’s always been important
Distrust of a third party

12. Political Parties
Reasons we have a history of the two-party system in the USA
Electoral System
Winner take all system
Favors the major players
Third party vote is “wasted vote”
Close political ideology
No large communist element
No large fascist element
Mostly all center-right republican element

13. Political Parties There are five basic activities parties do
Nominating candidates
Select electable candidates
Provide funding
Provide advice

14. Political Parties There are five basic activities parties do
Informing and Activating members
Campaigning
How GOOD their candidate is
How BAD the other one is
Getting out the vote!
Electorate must vote to matter
Get them stirred up enough
Provide opportunity to vote
Transportation
Absentee balloting

15. Political Parties There are five basic activities parties do
“Bonding” Agent”
Guaranteeing the actions of elected officials
Makes sure they “do the right thing”
Criticize if needed
Pull support is last resort
Keeping the party image is more important than the image of one politician

16. Political Parties There are five basic activities parties do Governing
Organizing legislatures
Party Whip
Gets members in to vote
Makes sure they vote the “right” way
Deals/trades
Pressure

17. Political Parties There are five basic activities parties do Watchdog
Points out the mistakes of the other party
Opposition choice
Their way is bad for country
Our way is good!

18. Political Parties Cool things other states have that PA doesn’t
Initiative
The PEOPLE can introduce laws, not just the legislature
Referendum
The PEOPLE can pass laws, not just the legislature
Recall
The people can demand new elections to get rid of elected politicians, not just wait until the next election day

19. Voter turnout in USA is low compared to most other democratic nations
Political Parties
Voter turnout in USA is low compared to most other democratic nations
Mostly because of lack of interest
Even lower in the years we don’t elect a president
People get disappointed in politics
Nothing changes
Only the rich can afford to run for office
Voter Fatigue
Americans vote more often
Americans vote for more offices

20. Mass Media – is communication that reaches a large audience.
The Media
Mass Media – is communication that reaches a large audience.
This includes:
television
radio
advertising
movies
the Internet,
newspapers,
magazines
and so forth.

21. The Media Goals of the mass media Inform the public
Entertain the public (so they buy the medium and the company makes money)

22. The Media Media play large roles in Setting public agenda
What the public feels is a big problem that
needs immediate attention
Focus on certain news items, downplay others
What makes “front page” headlines
Lead off stories in news
Political talk shows

23. The Media Media play large roles in Electoral politics
Media have surpassed political parties in getting the message out to the public
Portrayal of candidates on media
Two way street of manipulation
Media manipulates the candidate’s personality
Candidates manipulate the media for favorable coverage

24. The Media Media play large roles in Electoral politics
Portrayal of candidates on media
“Laws of getting TV time”
Keep it short
SOUND BITES
Under a minute is best
Fits into broadcast news
Do something
Action is good
Giving a speech is boring

25. The Media The electorate and information
Sadly, few people bother to get info
Sadly, few VOTERS get info!
Those who do follow news, are selective
Media and money
News is a money making business
Fires, murders and weather get viewers and money!

26. Interest Groups
Interest Groups are groups of people united to push a certain political agenda

27. Interest Groups Interest Groups are different than political parties
IG do NOT nominate candidates – they support them
IG are concerned with influencing policy, not controlling government

28. Interest Groups Interest Groups are different than political parties
IG have a narrow focus
Issue-oriented
Do not cater to general opinions needed by PP
Private organizations
Not accountable to the voter
Only accountable to IG membership

29. Interest Groups Positive Effects Negative Effects
Give organized voice to people
Give information to politicians
Negative Effects
If they get too powerful, it appears corrupt

30. Interest Groups Types Economic Business groups Labor groups
Agricultural groups
Professional association groups

31. Interest Groups Types Issue-oriented Devoted to a cause Examples
Environmental
Pro-life
NRA

32. Interest Groups Types Public Interest Special interests of the members
To benefit all people

33. Interest Groups Types Political Action Committees (PACs)
Private interest groups
Raise money
To influence the results of elections

34. Interest Groups Types Segments of the population Examples
Group Organizations
Segments of the population
Examples
AARP
Veterans groups
NAACP
Religious groups

35. Interest Groups Lobbyists Direct Approach
People who try to persuade politicians to favor their cause
Most are professionals
MUST PROTECT REPUTATION OR ELSE!

36. Interest Groups Work at all levels of Government
National
State
Work in all branches of government
Legislative
Executive
Judicial

37. Interest Groups Testify before Congressional Committees
Direct Approach
Actions – Congress
Testify before Congressional Committees
Provide useful information (propaganda)
Write speeches
Make campaign contributions

38. Interest Groups Direct Approach Actions – Executive
Trade positive press for positive consideration
Make campaign contributions
Access at the agency level

39. Interest Groups Direct Approach Actions – Courts
Bring lawsuit in name of interested party
NAACP  Brown v Board
ACLU  free speech issues
File “amicus briefs”
A friend (amigo!) of the
court report
Try to frame the lawsuit in
a bigger context for judges
Influence selection of Judges

40. Interest Groups Make it look like GRASS ROOTS movement
Indirect Approach
Make it look like GRASS ROOTS movement
Make it look like it is a popular idea growing from the people
Hide the group’s involvement
Get-out-the-vote movement focused on the “right” candidate

41. Interest Groups Indirect Approach Shape public opinion Advertisements
Leaflets
Use Propaganda
Go for the gut
Use fiery language

42. Interest Groups Indirect Approach
Electioneering
Give candidate’s “report cards” of interest
PAC contributions
Political Action Committee
Political funding
Some restrictions
Major players in today’s politics