1. “Influencing Government”

2. Influencing Government
There are three major groups that influence our government.
Individuals
Interest Groups
Media

3. Individuals Impacting the Government
Individuals influence the government by
Contributing to or working on campaigns
Running for political office
Voting in elections
Petitioning the government for change

4. Interest Groups
An Interest Group is an organized group of individuals who share a point of view about an issue. (Interest groups are not a part of the government – they are made up of individual people!)

5. Types of Interest Groups
Economic interest groups try to influence government policies that affect their industry or profession. (Ex- American Farm Bureau Federation)
Issue-oriented interest groups focus on a specific issue or cause (Ex-NAACP, NRA)
Public-interest groups promote the interests of the general public (Ex – National Wildlife Federation)

6. How Interest Groups Influence Government
Participate In Election Activities
Interest groups often supply workers/money to election campaigns.
Political Action Committees (PACs) are organizations set up by interest groups primarily to collect money to support favored candidates.

7. The Influence of Interest Groups
Bringing Cases to Court
Interest Groups influence public policy by bringing cases to court to test the constitutionality of laws.

8. How Interest Groups Influence Public Policy
Lobbying Lawmakers
Lobbyists are paid representatives of interest groups who contact lawmakers or other government officials directly to influence their policy making.
Lobbyists might argue for/against bills.
Government officials often rely on lobbyists for information/opinions.
Lobbyists sometimes help write bills.

9. Media
Mass media – forms of communication that transmit information to large numbers of people
There are two types of media:
Print media – newspapers, magazines, newsletters and books.
Electronic media – radio, television, and the Internet (social networking, Facebook, Twitter)

10. How the Media Influences Government
Shapes Public Opinion
Individuals and groups use the media to shape public opinion, or the total of the opinions held concerning a particular issue.
Ideas that are spread to influence people are called propaganda.

11. How the Media Influences Government
Impacts Elections
Media is used by candidates for campaigning (advertisements, etc.)
Various groups/individuals provide campaign coverage (news/updates) via television, newspapers, radio, internet, etc.

12. How the Media Influences Government
Provides a Medium for Elected Officials to:
Hold press conferences
Stage media events
Be interviewed by people in the media
Leak information to test public reaction
Serve as a Watchdog
Journalists play an important role in exposing government corruption and waste.

13. How the Media Influences Government
Media and National Security
There are tensions regarding American citizens’ right to know and the need for the government to protect national security.

14. How the Media Influences Government
Political Bias – or prejudice – in the media might or might not be obvious.
Responsible citizens must
Think critically about what they see, hear, and read in the media, as information can be inaccurate or misleading.
Be able to distinguish between fact and opinion.

15. Techniques of Influence
Propaganda – an attempt to promote a particular person or idea.
Often found in print or electronic media

16. Types of Propaganda Endorsements/Testimonial Stacked Cards
“I’m voting for Candidate A and so should you.”
Stacked Cards
“Candidate A has the best record on the environment”
Name – Calling
- “Candidate A is a dangerous extremist”

17. Types of Propaganda Glittering Generality Transfer Symbols
“Candidate A is the one who will bring us peace and prosperity”
Transfer Symbols
“I pledge allegiance…..”

18. Types of Propaganda Just Plain Folks The Bandwagon
“My parents were ordinary, hardworking people…”
The Bandwagon
“Polls show our candidate is pulling ahead”