Government Chapter 18 Interest Groups and Public Opinion

Interest Group Organization Interest group- share common goals to influence government. Interest group- share common goals to influence government. Factions- The Federalist, No. 10, Madison spoke about the constitution would be a safeguard. Factions- The Federalist, No. 10, Madison spoke about the constitution would be a safeguard. Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America, Americans uniquely toward group affiliation. Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America, Americans uniquely toward group affiliation.

Interest groups May support candidates who support their ideas. May support candidates who support their ideas. Narrowly defined issues or problems. Narrowly defined issues or problems. Organized on common values. Organized on common values. Purpose is to bridge the gap between the citizen and the government. Purpose is to bridge the gap between the citizen and the government. Political power based on numbers. Political power based on numbers.

Interest Groups Leadership strengthens power by unifying members. Leadership strengthens power by unifying members. Membership- 3 reasons Membership- 3 reasons 1. promote economic self interests 1. promote economic self interests 2. based on beliefs, values, or attitudes 2. based on beliefs, values, or attitudes 3. based on enjoying the company of others 3. based on enjoying the company of others *Lower socioeconomic groups less inclined to join groups. *Lower socioeconomic groups less inclined to join groups.

Interest Groups Business-Related Interest Groups- oldest groups, cut taxes, regulation. United States Chamber of Commerce support small business. Business-Related Interest Groups- oldest groups, cut taxes, regulation. United States Chamber of Commerce support small business. Labor-Related Interest Groups- AFL-CIO the largest and most powerful. Labor-Related Interest Groups- AFL-CIO the largest and most powerful. Agricultural Groups- American Farm Bureau Federation the largest. Agricultural Groups- American Farm Bureau Federation the largest.

Other Interest Groups Professional Associations- ABA and AMA Professional Associations- ABA and AMA Environmental Groups Environmental Groups Public-Interest Groups- work for the interest of all Americans Public-Interest Groups- work for the interest of all Americans Interest Groups in Government- National Governors’ Association Interest Groups in Government- National Governors’ Association Additional Groups- any variety of topics Additional Groups- any variety of topics

Section 3: Shaping Public Opinion The Nature of Public Opinion The Nature of Public Opinion Ideas and attitudes a significant number of Americans hold on gov’t and pol. Issues. Ideas and attitudes a significant number of Americans hold on gov’t and pol. Issues. Diversity- a number of different opinions Diversity- a number of different opinions Communication- How do we convey ideas. Polls, letters, and Interest groups Communication- How do we convey ideas. Polls, letters, and Interest groups Significant numbers Significant numbers

Political Socialization Family and Home- 2/3 of adults are the same party as parents Family and Home- 2/3 of adults are the same party as parents Schools Schools Peer groups Peer groups Social Characteristics- rich or poor, rural or urban Social Characteristics- rich or poor, rural or urban Mass Media Mass Media Political efficacy- How much can I impact the system Political efficacy- How much can I impact the system

Ideology and Public Policy Set of basic beliefs about life, culture, gov’t, and society. Set of basic beliefs about life, culture, gov’t, and society. Liberal Ideology- promote health, education and justice. Increase equality over economic needs. Liberal Ideology- promote health, education and justice. Increase equality over economic needs. Conservative Ideology- Limited role in economic and social problems. Moral lifestyle Conservative Ideology- Limited role in economic and social problems. Moral lifestyle Moderates and Libertarians- inbetween Moderates and Libertarians- inbetween

Section 4: Measuring Public Opinion Traditional Methods Traditional Methods Political Party Organizations Political Party Organizations Interest Groups Interest Groups The Mass Media The Mass Media Letter Writing Letter Writing Electronic Access Electronic Access Straw Polls- Unscientific methods Straw Polls- Unscientific methods

Scientific Polling Sample Populations Sample Populations Universe- group to be studied Universe- group to be studied Representative sample- small group Representative sample- small group Random sampling- equal chance of being selected. Random sampling- equal chance of being selected. Sampling Error- 1,200 to 1,500, + or - 3 Sampling Error- 1,200 to 1,500, + or - 3 Sampling Procedures Sampling Procedures Poll Questions- unbiased Poll Questions- unbiased

Polls Mail and Phone Polls- less cost, random digit dialing Mail and Phone Polls- less cost, random digit dialing Interpreting Results Interpreting Results Public Opinion and Democracy- Framers ideas Public Opinion and Democracy- Framers ideas 1. Provide for popular rule, active voice 1. Provide for popular rule, active voice 2. insulate gov’t from shifting whims of ill informed public opinion 2. insulate gov’t from shifting whims of ill informed public opinion