Influencing Government Chapter 11 Public Opinion Section 1

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 – “I cannot go any faster than the people will let me. ” varies widely - Franklin Delano Roosevelt

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

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

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

Polls and Democracy Pro Con • 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 • 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

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

The Mass Media Section 2

Types of Media Print Media • Newspapers – More than 70% of adults read newspapers • Magazines • Newsletters • Books • Give deeper coverage than TV 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

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

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

Interest Groups Section 3

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

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

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

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

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

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