UNIT 9 STUDY GUIDE Use your Unit 9 study guide with this PowerPoint

Influence of the Media on Public Policies & Policymakers Focusing public attention on selected issues

Issues in American Politics Economy Education International affairs Civil and minority rights Disaster Relief Terrorism Energy Health Care The criminal justice system Immigration Jobs Lobbyists Childhood obesity

What is Public Policy? Government’s plans or attempts to deal with, address, or solve the public’s problems

Who are the Policy Makers? Congress~ Passes Laws The President~ Proposes laws and a budget. He suggests policies and what to spend $$ on Government officials, agencies, commissions…

What influence do the media have on public policy and policymakers?

One of the many roles of the mass media is to… focus the public’s attention on selected issues

The media offers a forum (Place) in which opposing viewpoints are communicated

Editorials Op-Ed pieces

Re “Mubarak Won’t Run Again, but Stays; Obama Urges a Faster Shift of Power” (front page, Feb. 2):Mubarak Won’t Run Again, but Stays; Obama Urges a Faster Shift of Power The people of Egypt have spoken in a public way to force Hosni Mubarak to give up his presidency. So now what? The people are still hungry for change and demanding it immediately. Mr. Mubarak wants to save a small amount of face by leaving in September. What to do? Set up a national commission and spend the next few months hammering out a form of government based on the values, goals and beliefs of the people. In other words, take time to figure things out carefully. Give the Muslim Brotherhood a place at the table, as well as all the other factions that are now camping out in the public squares. If a plan to share national power can be negotiated now, the government will function much better. Conversely, if someone is put in power quickly, as a means to quiet the masses, some groups will continue to feel powerless and might undermine the interim president and his or her cabinet. Roger Lauen Bainbridge Island, Wash., Feb. 2, 2011

To the Editor: Re “Beyond Mubarak” (editorial, Feb. 2):Beyond Mubarak Although I’m an advocate of democracy, it may not be the best form of government in every situation. So I’m uncomfortable when American presidents try to force democracy on others, who may not be ready for it for any number of reasons. In Egypt, for instance, Hosni Mubarak’s somewhat oppressive regime has been beneficial to his country and the United States, and has improved relations with Israel and served as a pillar of peace for the Middle East. Now the United States is leading the efforts to persuade Mr. Mubarak to resign, which is probably the best option at this time. But we don’t know who will replace him. Your editorial suggests a number of actions that Egypt should take — ending censorship, protecting the Christian minority, supporting the efforts of Mohamed ElBaradei — and then states, “President Obama is right to take pains to avoid any impression that Washington is orchestrating events.” It seems inconsistent for you to urge changes in Egypt while warning the president against orchestrating events. Salvatore J. Bommarito New York, Feb. 2, 2011

The media holds government officials accountable to the public

The media is used by government officials to communicate with the public

Key Question/ Discussion Explain the ways the media play an important role in setting the public agenda

How do individuals and interest groups influence policymakers? Is there a way for concerned citizens to get the laws they want? Is there a way for concerned citizens to prevent the laws they do not want?

What is an interest group? A group of people working on behalf of or strongly supporting a particular cause They organize to persuade congress, (policymakers) to create favorable legislation Also called pressure groups-or- Lobby groups Try to influence public opinion & public policy

. Non- Gover nment Agenci es

Special Interest Groups N.R.A. A.A.R.P. L.W.V. U.A.W. N.A.A.C.P. National Rifle Association American Association of Retired Persons League of Women Voters United Auto Workers National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

What is Lobbying? Any attempt by a group or individual to influence the decisions of government. The term originated in 19th-century efforts to influence the votes of legislators, generally in the lobby outside a legislative chamber. The effort may be a direct appeal to a decision maker in either the executive or legislative branches, or it may be indirect (e.g., through attempts to influence public opinion). It may include oral or written efforts of persuasion, campaign contributions, public-relations campaigns, research supplied to legislative committees, and formal testimony before such committees. A lobbyist may be a member of a special- interest group, a professional willing to represent any group, or a private individual. In the U.S., the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act (1946) requires that lobbyists and the groups they represent register and report contributions and expenditures.

What is Lobbying? lobbying: Seeking to influence legislators to introduce or vote for or against a bill

How can individuals influence public policies? 1~ Participating in politics (voting, campaigning, seeking office) 2~ Expressing opinions (lobbying, demonstrating, writing letters) 3~ Joining interest groups

Which International Issues Would Require Local Governments to Act? Pandemics- Public Health Concerns Terrorism- Public safety concerns Environmental Issues- Wildlife protection… Economic Issues- policies in response to emerging global economy

Terms to know Pandemics~ Widespread disease

Terms to know Terrorism~ Large scale organized use of violence, fear, and intimidation

Terms to know Economics~ Exchange of goods & or services for money $$

Terms to know Environment~ Our living surroundings- natural systems and resources

Local governments would have to respond to these… Pandemics Terrorism Environmental Issues- wildlife… Economic Issues- responding to global economic issues