The Legislative Branch Article I of the Constitution
The Legislative Branch Article I of the Constitution
Concept 2: Individuals, Groups, and Institutions o Topics will include: n Breakdown of the US Congress n Qualifications/ Terms/ Compensation & Privileges of Congress n The Election Process/ The Impact of the 17 th Amendment n The Legislative Process (Bill Law) n Functions of leadership positions and committees n Influence of lobbyists and interest groups
Interest Groups & Lobbyists o Interest Group Organization n Members share common goals n Support candidates who share their ideas n The DO NOT nominate candidates n Political power of the groups is strengthened by unifying the members
Interest Groups & Lobbyists o Types of Interest Groups n Business- related (NAM) n Labor- related (AFL-CIO) n Public- interest groups n Political interest groups n Farm Interest Groups n Environmental Interest Groups n Foreign Interest Groups
Interest Groups & Lobbyists o Many of the business and labor interest groups are mainly concerned with issues that impact the US economy. o Foreign interest groups seek: n Military aid n Economic aid n Favorable trade agreements
Interest Groups & Lobbyists o Affecting Public Policy n Most interest groups attempt to influence government through lobbying n They also use media campaigns to garner public support for issues
Interest Groups & Lobbyists o Affecting Public Policy (cont. ) n Lobbyists o Representatives of the interest groups o Most important: provide legislators with information to persuade them to side with their issue
Interest Groups & Lobbyists o Affecting Public Policy (cont. ) n Provide campaign contributions to gain access to lawmakers n Political Action Committees o The Federal Election Campaign Act regulates PACs
Interest Groups & Lobbyists o Affecting Public Policy (cont. ) n Types of PACs o Affiliated n Attached to an organization n Ex. Realtor’s PAC o Independent n Free from outside control n Ex. : Council for a Livable World
Interest Groups & Lobbyists o Affecting Public Policy (cont. ) n PAC support of an incumbent often means re-election for that legislator o Incumbentpolitical candidate running for a re-election (was already in the office and seeks to return to it in the election)
Interest Groups & Lobbyists o Shaping Public Opinion n Includes the ideas and attitudes a significant # of Americans hold about government and political issues o Factors that characterize the nature of public opinion n Diversity n Communication n Significant numbers
Interest Groups & Lobbyists o Political socialization n People learn their political beliefs and attitudes from the following sources: o Family and home influence o School o Peer groups o Friends o Co-workers
Interest Groups & Lobbyists o Stereotypes can be created or discredited by mass media o Political Culture n Shared beliefs about the nation n Values freedom and liberty o Ideology n Set of basic beliefs about life, culture, government, and society
Interest Groups & Lobbyists o Ideology (cont. ) n Liberal- believes in an active national government n Conservative- believes in limited government n Moderaterepresent a mix of both liberal and conservative ideologies o Most Americans consider themselves to be moderate
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