Post on 18-Jan-2016
Unit 5: Chapters 10 &11Political Influence
What Influences Government?
Public Opinion
LobbyistMass Media
Interest Groups
Propaganda
Where does Public Opinion Come From?
Mass Media gives off powerful
images
Interest groups try to
persuade people to their point
of view
Personal background
such as: age, gender, race, religion, income,
location, family, etc.
Components of Public Opinion
• Direction= Public opinion is positive/ negative
• Intensity= Strength of opinion on a given issue
• Stability= How firmly people hold their views– Less likely to change
Media’s Impact on Politics & Government
Elected Officials 1. use the media to show: hard
working & communicate information
2. Press Secretary sets-up conferences, interviews, &
media events.3. Provide leaks to test the publics
reaction
Make it possible for
people to run, who might have
not done so.
Set public agenda to influence problems thegovernment considers
important
Media’s Impact on Politics & Government
Play a watchdog role to expose government
waste & corruption
Attacks the government when it comes to national security ;because of the tension for citizens need for information & USA
need for government to keep secrets to protect the nation, its people, & programs.
Propaganda• A lot of money spent on
creating the perfect image.• Local campaigns hang
poster & give newspaper ads
• State/ National campaigns mainly use TV– Each ad is 30 seconds &
can be viewed as unfair, but most effective
– Canvassing – door to door asking for votes, taking public opinion polls All done in hopes,
to sway a persons vote
Propaganda Techniques Campaigns Use
Endorsements
Name-Calling
Glittering GeneralitySymbols
Stacked Cards
Bandwagon
Just Plain Folks
Influencing Government: Lobbying
Job is volunteer/ paid, &lobbyist basically persuade
officials to support their interest.
Government Uses:1. Information resource2. Suggest solutions to
problems3. Draft bills
4. Testify in legislative hearings5. Make sure laws are carried out, enforced,
or upheld in court
To prevent an un-fair advantage, inside information, or illegal actions the
government has placed regulations on all lobbyist
How Do Interest Groups Influence Government?
Pool resources, increase chances
of influencing decision makers.
Affect public policy
Bring Cases to Court
Use political resources &
PACsto support candidates
Types of Interest Groups
Age:AARP
Issues:Sierra Club, National Rifle Association,
Motion Picture Association of America, &National Education Association of the USA
Economic:US Chamber of Commerce
& Tobacco Institute
Ethnicity: NAACP & Hispanic
America-USA
Gender:National
Organization For Women
Labor Unions:American Federation
of Labor & American Medical
Association