Shaping Public Opinion, Interest Groups, Taking Part in Government - Understanding Political Influence

1. Section 1:Shaping Public Opinion Section 2:Interest Groups Section 3:Taking Part in Government Chapter 11The Political System

2. Section 1: Shaping Public Opinion The Main Idea Political leaders and interest groups find many ways to shape public opinion and influence the beliefs of American citizens. Reading Focus • What is public opinion, and how is it shaped? • What is propaganda, and what are six common propaganda techniques? • How is public opinion measured?

3. Section 1: Shaping Public Opinion People’s opinions are influenced by • Family, friends, teachers, and clubs. • Information from mass media: television, newspapers, magazines, radio, and the Internet.

4. Section 1: Shaping Public Opinion The importance of staying informed • Democracy requires informed citizens. • Well-informed citizens must recognize differences between facts and opinions.

5. Section 1: Shaping Public Opinion Propaganda • Propaganda is ideas spread to influence public opinion, consumers, and voters. • Mass media and communications technology enable the spread of propaganda.

6. Section 1: Shaping Public Opinion Propaganda methods: • Concealed propaganda attempts to fool people. • Revealed propaganda makes people aware that it is trying to influence them. • Propaganda techniques: bandwagon, card stacking, glittering generalities, name-calling, plain-folks appeal, and testimonials

7. Section 1: Shaping Public Opinion Measurements of public opinion: • Elections • Polls or surveys—take opinions of “samples” of population • Wording of polls, number of responses and the sample population influence the outcome of polls. • Polls may also influence public opinion.

8. SECTION 1 Measuring Public Opinion elections polls Question: How is public opinion measured?

9. Section 2: Interest Groups The Main Idea Interest groups work to persuade the government to adopt particular policies and address specific issues. Reading Focus • What are interest groups, and what are the different types of interest groups? • How do lobbyists try to influence government and public opinion? • Do interest groups have too much power?

10. Section 2: Interest Groups Interest Groups • Organizations that seek to influence government policy • Also known as pressure groups or lobbies • Lobbies do not seek to influence elections like the political parties do. • Lobbies may represent economic interests, social interests, or general public interest.

11. Section 2: Interest Groups Different types of interest groups: • Business associations, labor unions, farm organizations, veterans’ organizations, teachers’ associations, and consumer groups • Public interest groups

12. Section 2: Interest Groups Criticism of interest groups: • Interest groups are too involved in lawmaking. • Well-funded and organized groups receive too much attention; other interests are not equally represented.

13. Section 2: Interest Groups How do lobbyists try to influence opinion? • Propose, research, and help write bills for Congress • Testify at committee hearings and may present evidence • Supply lawmakers with information • Advertise in the mass media • Supply workers and funds to election campaigns

14. SECTION 2 How Lobbyists Influence Opinions Question: How do lobbyists try to influence government and public opinion? •  Argue for or against legislation •  Ask congressmembers to sponsor bills •  Supply information, help write bills •  Testify at hearings •  Advertise •  Provide workers and contributors for candidates •  Urge people to contact public officials

15. Section 3: Taking Part in Government The Main Idea Americans can participate in government by voting and speaking out on the issues that matter to them. Reading Focus • What are the four ways that all citizens can participate in government? • Why is voting important, and why do so few U.S. citizens vote? • How do volunteers and interest groups help political campaigns?

16. Section 3: Taking Part in Government Four ways of participating in government: • Vote in local, state, and national elections • Work for political parties • Speak out on public issues • Work to improve our communities

17. Section 3: Taking Part in Government Voting • A right and a responsibility • Expresses our opinions about our leaders and their policies • U.S. voter turnout is one of the lowest in the world. • Apathy, failure to register, illness, dissatisfaction with the candidates, location, and residency requirements contribute to poor voter turn-out. • The 1916 and 2000 elections demonstrate the importance of every vote.

18. Section 3: Taking Part in Government Volunteers and interest groups help political campaigns through: • Telephone and door-to-door campaigning • Distribution of literature on the street • Mailings • Interest groups provide volunteers and funds via political action committees.

19. SECTION 3 How Citizens Can Participate in Government speaking out on issues working for a political party voting contacting public officials volunteering in the community Question: What are five ways that citizens can participate in government?

20. Chapter11 Wrap-Up • 1. How does the use of propaganda differ in totalitarian societies and democratic societies? • 2. What is the purpose of polls? Why must polls use representative samples? • 3. How do interest groups differ from political parties? • 4. Identify ways that lobbyists try to influence public policy and opinion. • 5. How can citizens take party in the political system? • 6. Why is voting important? Why do so few Americans vote?