1 / 19

Influencing Government

Influencing Government. Chapter 11. Public Opinion. Section 1. Why is Public Opinion Important?. Helps shape the government’s decisions Helps determine the timing of decisions Not uniform – varies widely. “I cannot go any faster than the people will let me.” - Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

nhu
Download Presentation

Influencing Government

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. Influencing Government Chapter 11

  2. Public Opinion Section 1

  3. Why is Public Opinion Important? • Helps shape the government’s decisions • Helps determine the timing of decisions • Not uniform – varies widely “I cannot go any faster than the people will let me.” - Franklin Delano Roosevelt

  4. Forming Public Opinion • Personal Background • The Mass Media • Public Officials • Interest Groups

  5. Components of Public Opinion • Direction • On any given topic, is it positive, negative or mixed? • Intensity • How strongly do people feel about the issue? • Stability • How likely are opinions on this issue to change? Approval Ratings of FDR

  6. Measuring Public Opinion • Election Results • Show only a broad measure of public opinion • Not very specific • Public Opinion Polls • More accurate • Random Samples • Reflects the characteristics of the entire population in a small group

  7. Polls and Democracy Pro Con Makes officials more concerned with following the public than leading Distort elections – focus on who is winning rather than the issues Discourage people from voting • Allows officeholders to keep in touch with the citizens views • Don’t have to wait for elections to see if the people approve or disapprove of the government

  8. The Framers and Public Opinion • Wanted to allow for public rule, but insulate leaders from the shifting whims of the people • Public opinion does help shape public policy, but there are other factors at work: • Interest groups • Political Parties • Mass Media • Other Institutions of government • Individuals

  9. The Mass Media Section 2

  10. Types of Media Print Media Electronic Media Radio Television 98% of homes have a TV Internet Allows people to get news and ideas whenever they want. Can get much more information than from TV or radio sound bites • Newspapers • More than 70% of adults read newspapers • Magazines • Newsletters • Books • Give deeper coverage than TV

  11. The Media’s Impact on Politics and Government • Setting the Public Agenda • Candidates and Elections • Elected Officials • Watchdog Role • Media and National Security

  12. Protecting the Media • Democracy requires a free flow of information • First Amendment • Freedom from prior restraint • Limits of freedom of the press • Libel • National Security • Broadcast regulation – who gets airtime • FCC

  13. Interest Groups Section 3

  14. Types of Interest Groups • Economic Interest Groups • Private Interest Groups • Public Interest Groups

  15. Influencing Government • Election Activities • Going to Court • Lobbying Lawmakers

  16. Techniques of Interest Groups • Direct mail campaigns • TV and Radio Ads • Protests • Public Events • Propaganda

  17. Types of Propaganda • Endorsements • Stacked Cards • Name-Calling • Glittering Generality • Symbols • Just Plain Folks • The Bandwagon

  18. Regulation of Interest Groups • 1971 – Federal Election Campaign Act • 1946 – Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act • Only covers full-time lobbyists: 20-25% • No enforcement • Officials must wait to become lobbyists • Time varies from state to state • Doesn’t really work

  19. Pros and Cons of Interest Groups and Lobbying Pro Con Too much say in government Campaign contributions give interest groups improper influence over office holders • Most citizens have little effect on the government individually • Together, with skilled lobbyists, can make a difference

More Related