PARTIES, INTEREST GROUPS AND PUBLIC POLICY PEOPLE IN ACTION PARTIES, INTEREST GROUPS AND PUBLIC POLICY

CAMPAIGN ADS: FACT OR FICTION? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIA5aszzA18 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw7HfTEWTAU&feature=pyv Paid for by: http://www.nrsc.org/ National Republican Senatorial Committee Not everything that you read or see when it comes to politics is coming directly from the source. Be aware and pay attention 

POLITICAL PARTIES Washington’s Farewell Address of 1796 Warns against political parties and the fact that they will divide America Jefferson and Adams agree They start the first two political parties in our history

GOAL AND FUNCTIONS OF POLITICAL PARTIES MAIN GOAL - Get candidates elected FUNCTIONS: Recruit candidates and support campaigns at all levels Organize elections and inform voters to register and then monitor votes Organize the government Unite diverse interests and make collective action possible Serve as loyal opposition to the party in power

ORGANIZATION OF POLITICAL PARTIES LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL ORGANIZATION Managed by a committee at each level National Committee Delegates from each state National Chairperson – runs day-to-day operations State Also has a committee with a chairperson County committees Some have committees at even lower levels, ex. City or Precinct CITIZENS GET INVOLVED THROUGH: Voter Registration Donate $ Attend rallies or meetings Volunteer for campaigns

HOW DID POLITICAL PARTIES DEVELOP? The two-party system was beginning to develop by the 1800s 1st parties: ALEXANDER HAMILTON: FEDERALISTS Strong national government, commercial and industrial interests in the North THOMAS JEFFERSON: DEMOCRATIC - REPUBLICANS Weaker national government, farmers and rural interests Democratic-republicans dominated until a new party the NATIONAL-REPUBLICANS/WHIG PARTY Remaining Demo-Rep. became known as DEMOCRATS 1850 – slavery divided the Whigs and some anti-slavery activists formed the REPUBLICAN PARTY in 1854

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS TODAY REPUBLICAN Stereotype more likely white, conservative, male and affluent DEMOCRATS: Stereotype more likely part of a minority, female, liberal & less affluent DEMOCRATS REPUBLICANS SIZE OF NATIONAL GOV. Large with many policies Limited with more state control TAXES Tax cuts for the poor and raise taxes for the rich Broad tax cuts to increase the economy REGULATION OF BUSINESS Support gov. regulation of business Opposed SOCIAL ISSUES Support abortion and gun control but no prayer in school Want prayer in school but no abortion or gun control MINIMUM WAGE Regular increases Unnecessary

POLITICAL INTEREST GROUPS aka “PIGS” GROUPS WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS THAT ARE SEEKING INFLUENCE IN GOVERNMENT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ua_rfZfRTM&feature=related

START OF PIGS FEDERALIST PAPER #10 PLURALISM=answer Today… GOAL: Madison wrote of factions posing a threat to government if left unchecked They are inevitable and good, but…how? PLURALISM=answer Power should be distributed and shared among groups in society COMPETITION + CHECKS AND BALANCES = 1 group not gaining too much power Today… Allow people to participate in government Speak on issues Monitor government in action Keep people informed about government GOAL: Get a candidate to support their interest

TYPES OF PIGS ECONOMIC INTEREST GROUPS: CITIZEN INTEREST GROUPS: Business groups, trade organizations, professional associations and labor unions Ex. – UAW CITIZEN INTEREST GROUPS: Promote public interest, may be motivated by a political ideology Ex. – ACLU GOVERNMENTAL INTEREST GROUP: Could be at every level of government Ex. - NEA

SO WHAT ELSE… Why Join? Organization Funding Information and benefits Agree w/the groups goals Want to be part of the community Organization Elected board of directors or trustees who set up policy and decide how resources will be used Both national and state chapters Funding Dues, member fees, fundraising campaigns, government grants and foundations

POLITCAL ACTION COMMITTEES (PACS) Interest groups influence government by contributing $ to political parties and candidates during elections WHAT ARE PACS? Private groups sponsored by corporations, trade associations or unions Collect donations and give $ to campaigns Could work for individual PIGS Gives them a lot of influence in elections

INTEREST GROUPS AND POLICY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2DUM6jVasw&feature=related INTEREST GROUPS AND POLICY LOBBYING Attempt to influence government by persuading public officials to favor or oppose action on a specific issue RESEARCH AND POLICY PROPOSALS PIGS carry out research and write policy proposals sometimes working with “THINK TANKS.” LITIGATION Filing a lawsuit to influence policy GRASS-ROOTS MOBILIZATION Rallying strong and vocal support from a large group of people at the local level Could be OWS – eventually!

WHAT MAKES A PIG POWERFUL? SIZE AND $ Large membership w/lots of $ can produce media ads and gain support UNITY OF PURPOSE Commitment from members EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP Good leaders can explain a message and gain support INFORMATION AND EXPERTISE Know how to gather information and deliver to decision makers

MAKING PUBLIC POLICY WHAT IS PUBLIC POLICY? Government actions or programs designed to achieve certain goals STEPS TO PUBLIC POLICY: ISSUE IDENTIFICATION : Budget, Defense, etc. AGENDA SETTING Which issues deserve priority at a specific time. Set a PUBLIC AGENDA Political parties and interest groups take part in setting the agenda POLICY FORMULATION Can take place in any branch of government or at the local/state level Can ask experts to offer opinions or invite PIGS to help POLICY ADOPTION Going through the political process can result in many revisions Could make changes to gain support or avoid legal issues IMPLEMENTATION Assigned to a specific government agency and it is up to them to make it work. EVALUATION Government officials and PIGS determine if goals are met If not, the policy making process begins again

TO REVIEW…OR IN ADDITION TO! An IDEOLOGY is a body of ideas put forth by a person or group. A PLATFORM is a statement that puts forth a party’s position on the issues.

3RD PARTIES GOAL: Not to get elected but to influence policy on one or more issues!