Connecting the people to the political process Linking Groups Connecting the people to the political process

Public Opinion – the attitudes held by a significant number of people on matters of government and politics There are many Publics of people Publics refer to a group of people who share a common attitude on a matter Membership of groups shift from topic to topic Public opinion is specific to attitudes on Public Affairs Politics Public issues Legislation Enforcement

Public Opinion Opinions are formed through a combination of differing agents of socialization Family School Media Peers Opinion Leaders History

Public Opinion Public opinion polls Devices that attempt to collect information about people’s attitudes on public affairs Straw votes Ask huge numbers the same question Not scientific Not reliable because the sample group is too narrow

Public Opinion Scientific polling Five step process Define the population (group) you want to study Construct a sample of about 1,500 people (yeah, that small works!) Create carefully worded questions Interview the sample group Analyze the findings Fairly reliable at the national level

Public Opinion Public Policy The ACTIONS taken by the government to address public opinion

Public Opinion Public Policy -- The ACTIONS taken by the government to address public opinion If politicians want to be re-elected, they make public policy based on public opinion as much as possible

Public Opinion Public Policy & Public Opinion Public Opinion DRIVES Public Policy

Political Parties The goal of political parties is to try to influence government through getting members elected to office

There are two strong political parties in the USA Democrats Left wing Liberal Republicans Right wing Conservative

Political Parties Reasons we have a history of the two-party system in the USA History Not mentioned in the Constitution Started almost immediately after Constitution was signed Tend to moderate, not alienate Tradition It is important because it’s always been important Distrust of a third party

Political Parties Reasons we have a history of the two-party system in the USA Electoral System Winner take all system Favors the major players Third party vote is “wasted vote” Close political ideology No large communist element No large fascist element Mostly all center-right republican element

Political Parties There are five basic activities parties do Nominating candidates Select electable candidates Provide funding Provide advice

Political Parties There are five basic activities parties do Informing and Activating members Campaigning How GOOD their candidate is How BAD the other one is Getting out the vote! Electorate must vote to matter Get them stirred up enough Provide opportunity to vote Transportation Absentee balloting

Political Parties There are five basic activities parties do “Bonding” Agent” Guaranteeing the actions of elected officials Makes sure they “do the right thing” Criticize if needed Pull support is last resort Keeping the party image is more important than the image of one politician

Political Parties There are five basic activities parties do Governing Organizing legislatures Party Whip Gets members in to vote Makes sure they vote the “right” way Deals/trades Pressure

Political Parties There are five basic activities parties do Watchdog Points out the mistakes of the other party Opposition choice Their way is bad for country Our way is good!

Political Parties Cool things other states have that PA doesn’t Initiative The PEOPLE can introduce laws, not just the legislature Referendum The PEOPLE can pass laws, not just the legislature Recall The people can demand new elections to get rid of elected politicians, not just wait until the next election day

Voter turnout in USA is low compared to most other democratic nations Political Parties Voter turnout in USA is low compared to most other democratic nations Mostly because of lack of interest Even lower in the years we don’t elect a president People get disappointed in politics Nothing changes Only the rich can afford to run for office Voter Fatigue Americans vote more often Americans vote for more offices

Mass Media – is communication that reaches a large audience. The Media Mass Media – is communication that reaches a large audience. This includes: television radio advertising movies the Internet, newspapers, magazines and so forth.

The Media Goals of the mass media Inform the public Entertain the public (so they buy the medium and the company makes money)

The Media Media play large roles in Setting public agenda What the public feels is a big problem that needs immediate attention Focus on certain news items, downplay others What makes “front page” headlines Lead off stories in news Political talk shows

The Media Media play large roles in Electoral politics Media have surpassed political parties in getting the message out to the public Portrayal of candidates on media Two way street of manipulation Media manipulates the candidate’s personality Candidates manipulate the media for favorable coverage

The Media Media play large roles in Electoral politics Portrayal of candidates on media “Laws of getting TV time” Keep it short SOUND BITES Under a minute is best Fits into broadcast news Do something Action is good Giving a speech is boring

The Media The electorate and information Sadly, few people bother to get info Sadly, few VOTERS get info! Those who do follow news, are selective Media and money News is a money making business Fires, murders and weather get viewers and money!

Interest Groups Interest Groups are groups of people united to push a certain political agenda

Interest Groups Interest Groups are different than political parties IG do NOT nominate candidates – they support them IG are concerned with influencing policy, not controlling government

Interest Groups Interest Groups are different than political parties IG have a narrow focus Issue-oriented Do not cater to general opinions needed by PP Private organizations Not accountable to the voter Only accountable to IG membership

Interest Groups Positive Effects Negative Effects Give organized voice to people Give information to politicians Negative Effects If they get too powerful, it appears corrupt

Interest Groups Types Economic Business groups Labor groups Agricultural groups Professional association groups

Interest Groups Types Issue-oriented Devoted to a cause Examples Environmental Pro-life NRA

Interest Groups Types Public Interest Special interests of the members To benefit all people

Interest Groups Types Political Action Committees (PACs) Private interest groups Raise money To influence the results of elections

Interest Groups Types Segments of the population Examples Group Organizations Segments of the population Examples AARP Veterans groups NAACP Religious groups

Interest Groups Lobbyists Direct Approach People who try to persuade politicians to favor their cause Most are professionals MUST PROTECT REPUTATION OR ELSE!

Interest Groups Work at all levels of Government National State Work in all branches of government Legislative Executive Judicial

Interest Groups Testify before Congressional Committees Direct Approach Actions – Congress Testify before Congressional Committees Provide useful information (propaganda) Write speeches Make campaign contributions

Interest Groups Direct Approach Actions – Executive Trade positive press for positive consideration Make campaign contributions Access at the agency level

Interest Groups Direct Approach Actions – Courts Bring lawsuit in name of interested party NAACP  Brown v Board ACLU  free speech issues File “amicus briefs” A friend (amigo!) of the court report Try to frame the lawsuit in a bigger context for judges Influence selection of Judges

Interest Groups Make it look like GRASS ROOTS movement Indirect Approach Make it look like GRASS ROOTS movement Make it look like it is a popular idea growing from the people Hide the group’s involvement Get-out-the-vote movement focused on the “right” candidate

Interest Groups Indirect Approach Shape public opinion Advertisements Leaflets Use Propaganda Go for the gut Use fiery language

Interest Groups Indirect Approach Electioneering Give candidate’s “report cards” of interest PAC contributions Political Action Committee Political funding Some restrictions Major players in today’s politics