Influencing Government Influencing Government There are three major

“Influencing Government”

Influencing Government There are three major groups that can influence our government. • Individuals • Interest Groups • Media

Individuals Impacting the Government Individuals can influence the government by • Contributing to or working on campaigns • Running for political office • Voting in elections • Petitioning the government for change

Interest Groups l An Interest Group is an organized group of individuals who share a point of view about an issue. (Interest groups are not a part of the government – they are made up of individual people!)

Types of Interest Groups l Economic interest groups try to influence government policies that affect their industry or profession. (Ex. American Farm Bureau Federation) l Issue-oriented interest groups focus on a specific issue or cause (Examples NAACP, NRA) l Public-interest groups promote the interests of the general public (Ex – National Wildlife Federation)

How Interest Groups Influence Government They can participate in Election Activities • Interest groups often supply workers/money to election campaigns. • Political Action Committees (PACs) are organizations set up by interest groups primarily to collect money to support favored candidates.

The Influence of Interest Groups l They can bring Cases to Court – Interest Groups can influence public policy by bringing cases to court to test the constitutionality of laws or by bringing important issues to the public view.

How Interest Groups Influence Public Policy Lobbying Lawmakers Lobbyists are paid representatives of interest groups who contact lawmakers or other government officials directly to influence their policy making. – Lobbyists might argue for/against bills. – Government officials often rely on lobbyists for information/opinions. – Lobbyists sometimes help write bills.

Media Mass media – forms of communication that transmit information to large numbers of people There are two main types of media: - Print media – newspapers, magazines, newsletters and books. - Electronic media – radio, television, and the Internet (social networking, Facebook, Twitter)

Mass Media Shapes Public Opinion – Individuals and groups use the media to shape public opinion, or the total of the opinions held concerning a particular issue. – Ideas that are spread to influence people are called propaganda.

How the Media Influences Government Impacts Elections Media is used by candidates for campaigning (advertisements, etc. ) l Various groups/individuals provide campaign coverage (news/updates) via television, newspapers, radio, internet, etc. l

How the Media Influences Government The Media provides a Medium for Elected Officials to: Hold press conferences - Stage media events - Be interviewed by people in the media - Leak information to test public reaction - The Media serves as a Watchdog l Journalists play an important role in exposing government corruption and waste.

Media and the Government Media and National Security l There can be tensions regarding American citizens’ right to know and the need for the government to protect national security.

Media and the Government Political Bias – or prejudice – can exist in the media. The bias might or might not be obvious. l Responsible citizens must l – Think critically about what they see, hear, and read in the media, as information can be inaccurate or misleading. – Be able to distinguish between fact and opinion.

Techniques of Influence Often times the media is used to influence the public. l Propaganda – an attempt to promote a particular person, product, place or idea. (used to persuade someone) l Often found in print or electronic media l

Types of Propaganda Endorsements/Testimonial - “I’m voting for Candidate A and so should you. ” Stacked Cards - “Candidate A has the best record on the environment” Name – Calling “Candidate A is a dangerous extremist” - (mud-slinging) -

Types of Propaganda Glittering Generality - “Candidate A is the one who will bring us peace and prosperity” Transfer Symbols - “I pledge allegiance…. . ”

Types of Propaganda Just Plain Folks - “My parents were ordinary, hardworking people…” The Bandwagon - “Polls show our candidate is pulling ahead”