Chapter 9 Section 1 Mr. plude

What is Public Opinion? Foreign, Domestic or Local Policy. Examples – How to handle North Korea, reducing health care costs and Heating/Cooling in Nansemond River High School

What is Public Opinion? Public Policy – choices the government makes and actions it takes in response to a particular issue or problem

Public opinion helps shape public policy and is in turn shaped by it. What is Public Opinion? Public opinion helps shape public policy and is in turn shaped by it.

Forming Public Opinion Political Socialization – process by which you acquire your own beliefs. Family, School, Work and Personal Factors (Religion)

Media and Public Opinion The media helps determine public policy by reporting and commenting on issues that political leaders and the public consider important A free and responsible press is important to our democracy by helping voters make informed decisions.

Measuring Public Opinion Public Opinion is determined through scientific polling (is this still working) Polls try to be as accurate as possible by having a sampling error, eliminating bias and applying objectivity. Exit polls are used randomly after voters have voted to tell pollsters how people have voted before the results are out.

Interest Groups Chapter 9 Section 2 An interest group is an association of people who hold similar views and goals. Interest groups want to influence public opinion and elected officials Political Action Committee (PAC) – an organization established by a corporation or other special interest to raise money from individuals for a political campaign or other political cause

Types of Interest Groups Agricultural & Business

Types of Interest Groups Labor & Cause-Based

Types of Interest Groups Societal and Professional Groups

Types of Interest Groups Trade Association – interest group representing a certain industry or part of an industry (Coal) Labor Unions and Professional Groups are alike as both represent workers

How Interest Groups Work Groups support candidates and engage in lobbying. Endorse – publicly declare support for a candidate Lobbying – contacting public officials to persuade them to support their group or organization

How Interest Groups Work Ways groups try to influence policy can be by…….. Informing Public Opinion (grass roots movement) Filing Lawsuits (Brown v. Board of Education)

Interest Groups and the Public Good Benefits of Interest Groups are they give people a voice that may not be heard otherwise Criticisms of Interest Groups too much power, narrow interests and appeal to peoples emotions rather than finding solutions to problems Limits on Interest groups - Congress passed ethics and lobbying reform legislation and limited influence by lobbyists to lessen their influence