80 likes | 103 Views
Politicians. Who are Politicians as Information Users?. Two roles Campaigns Decision Making (after elected). What are Their Information Needs?. Learning about what voters want Learning about issues to make policy. Information in Campaigns: Polling. Why is polling important?
E N D
Who are Politicians as Information Users? • Two roles • Campaigns • Decision Making (after elected)
What are Their Information Needs? • Learning about what voters want • Learning about issues to make policy
Information in Campaigns: Polling • Why is polling important? • What do campaigns achieve from polling? • What issues are important • What groups are for/against the politician • What issues matter to which groups • Who should their campaign target?
How Polls are Conducted • Sampling • Size • Question Phrasing • Interview • Interpretation
Information in Decision Making • Politicians, once in office, must make decisions on many issues • Need detailed information on all those issues • Time consuming • Difficult when outside the politician’s area of expertise
Lobbying • Lobbyists represent special interest groups and try to influence policy • Provide information to politicians in office • Can present experts, evidence, facts to support their side • Politicians rely on this information
Lobbying Issues • Fairness • Can you pay a politician to vote your way? • Can you give him or her a gift to vote your way? • Can you take them on a trip to a meeting? • Can you buy them lunch? • Access • Transparency