A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON1 Chapter 11 The Political System Section 1:Shaping Public Opinion Section 2:Interest Groups Section 3:Taking Part in Government

A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON2 Chapter 11 OBJECTIVES  What influences people’s opinions and what makes a well-informed citizen?  What is propaganda, and what are some of the most common propaganda methods?  How is public opinion measured? Section 1:Shaping Public Opinion

A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON3 Chapter 11 People’s opinions are influenced by  family, friends, teachers, and clubs.  information from mass media: television, newspapers, magazines, radio, and the Internet. Section 1:Shaping Public Opinion

A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON4 Chapter 11 The importance of staying informed  Democracy requires informed citizens.  Well-informed citizens must recognize differences between facts and opinions.

A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON5 Chapter 11 Propaganda  Propaganda is ideas spread to influence public opinion, consumers, and voters.  Mass media and communications technology enable the spread of propaganda. Section 1:Shaping Public Opinion

A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON6 Chapter 11 Propaganda methods:  Concealed propaganda attempts to fool people.  Revealed propaganda makes people aware that it is trying to influence them.  Propaganda techniques: bandwagon, card stacking, glittering generalities, name-calling, plain-folks appeal, and testimonials Section 1:Shaping Public Opinion

A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON7 Chapter 11 Measurements of public opinion:  Elections  Polls or surveys—take opinions of “samples” of population  Wording of polls, number of responses and the sample population influence the outcome of polls.  Polls may also influence public opinion. Section 1:Shaping Public Opinion

A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON8 Chapter 11 OBJECTIVES  What are interest groups, and how do they differ from political parties?  What are the different types of interest groups, and why have such groups been criticized?  How do lobbyists try to influence government and public opinion? Section 2:Interest Groups

A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON9 Chapter 11 Interest Groups  Organizations that seek to influence government policy  Also known as pressure groups or lobbies  Lobbies do not seek to influence elections like the political parties do.  Lobbies may represent economic interests, social interests, or general public interest. Section 2:Interest Groups

A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON10 Chapter 11 Different types of interest groups:  Business associations, labor unions, farm organizations, veterans’ organizations, teachers’ associations, and consumer groups  Public interest groups Section 2:Interest Groups

A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON11 Chapter 11 Criticism of interest groups:  Interest groups are too involved in lawmaking.  Well-funded and organized groups receive too much attention; other interests are not equally represented. Section 2:Interest Groups

A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON12 Chapter 11 How do lobbyists try to influence opinion?  Propose, research, and help write bills for Congress  Testify at committee hearings and may present evidence  Supply lawmakers with information  Advertise in the mass media  Supply workers and funds to election campaigns Section 2:Interest Groups

A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON13 Chapter 11 OBJECTIVES  What are the four ways that all citizens can participate in the government?  Why is voting important, and why do so few U.S. citizens vote?  How do volunteers and interest groups help political campaigns? Section 3:Taking Part in Government

A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON14 Chapter 11 Four ways of participating in government:  Vote in local, state, and national elections  Work for political parties  Speak out on public issues  Work to improve our communities Section 3:Taking Part in Government

A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON15 Chapter 11 Voting  A right and a responsibility  Expresses our opinions about our leaders and their policies  U.S. voter turnout is one of the lowest in the world.  Apathy, failure to register, illness, dissatisfaction with the candidates, location, and residency requirements contribute to poor voter turn-out.  The 1916 and 2000 elections demonstrate the importance of every vote. Section 3:Taking Part in Government

A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON16 Chapter 11 Volunteers and interest groups help political campaigns through:  Telephone and door-to-door campaigning  Distribution of literature on the street  Mailings  Interest groups provide volunteers and funds via political action committees. Section 3:Taking Part in Government