Individual & Group Influence on Public Policy and Decision Making

1. Essential Questions: Which roles and functions do political parties exercise?How do individuals and groups influence the political process? Individual & Group Influence on Public Policy and Decision Making

2. Public Policy • Action government takes to address an issue, solve a problem, or meet the needs or wishes of its citizens.

3. Who participates in public policy? Individual Citizens • Attending meetings • Lobbying-seeking to influence legislators to introduce legislation, or to vote for or against legislation • Working political campaigns • Contributing $$$ to candidates and funding causes • Join interest groups

4. Who participates in public policy? Individual Citizens • File legal challenges -bring legal action that gets public attention on an issue, laws overturned, etc. • Petition the government-write, call, email, organize a petition • Participate in demonstrations • Run for public office

5. Who participates in public policy? • Organizations formed around a specific interest, issue, etc. that seek to influence government policy • They are NOT political parties, but they support the party or parties that align with the ideology associated with their issue • Identify and publicize issues Interest Groups

6. Who participates in public policy? • Offer citizens different viewpoints and ways to influence policy • Lobbying • Donate $$$$$ to political campaigns— Political Action Committees (PACs) Interest Groups

7. What are Some Examples of Interest Groups?

8. Who participates in public policy? The Media • Bring issues to public attention • Offer various forums for the airing of different views on issues • Identifies candidates and offers a platform for campaigning and debate

9. What are Some Examples of Media Influence on Public Policy? • Newspapers-print and online • Op-Ed (opinion/editorial articles) • Blogs • Commentaries-print and TV • Televised debates • Political talk shows • Commercials

10. Who participates in public policy? Political Leaders • Elected representatives- National: Executive-President & VP Legislative-Senators & Reps. State: Executive-Governor & Lt. Gov. Legislative-State Senators & Delegates Local: Executive-Mayor Legislative-City Council/School Board • National and State Courts • Bring attention to issues, work with individuals and interest groups to develop public policy and address citizens needs.

11. What are Some Examples of Political Leaders’ Influence? • When state lawmakers pass legislation protecting workers, instituting wagelaws and providing enforcement for these laws, to protect the rights of workers within the society. • When U.S. lawmakers pass legislation like the Violence Against Women Act, this is an act that shapes public policy. It shows that there is a priority to provide protection for women. • When legislatures and courts make the decision to legalize same-sex marriage or to make same-sex marriage legal or illegal, they may take into account what they believe is good for the public as a whole. Their decision can shape public policy.

12. CLOSURE: 5-Minute Paper • Give one positive that interest groups have in helping shape public policy—be specific, give an example. • Give onenegative that interest groups have in helping shape public policy—be specific, give an example.