Public Policy A general agreement of how government will deal with certain issues or problems of the community Example: the Town Center- encouraging the development of a downtown Virginia Beach

How individuals influence public policy Participating in politics Voting Campaigning Expressing opinions

How individuals influence public policy (cont.) Lobbying Trying to persuade the government to support your goals Demonstrating Writing letters Joining interests groups

Interest Groups Group of people who come together to support a common cause Strength in numbers

How interest groups influence public policy Identifying issues Making political contributions Lobbying government officials Representing different viewpoints Publicizing issues

Mass Media influence on public opinion and public policy Focusing public attention on selected issues Offering a forum in which opposing viewpoints are communicated Holding government officials accountable to the public Providing the opportunity for government officials to use the media to communicate with the public

The Political Spectrum Reactionaries Very conservative Want to return to traditional policies (the way things were) Radicals Very liberal Want sweeping changes in government policies Willing to resort to violence

The Political Spectrum Conservatives Want limited government Oppose government regulation Believe the individual should take care of himself Support ending affirmative action, reinstating school prayer Tend to be Republicans Liberals Want more government Believe government should help the individual Support programs for the poor, public housing Tend to be Democrats

The Political Spectrum Moderates Move between conservatives and liberals Support government action in some areas and reject it in others

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Functions of Political Parties Recruiting and nominating candidates Educating the electorate about campaign issues Helping candidates win elections Monitoring actions of officeholders Raising money for campaigns

Similarities between parties Organize to win elections Influence public policies Reflect both liberal and conservative views Define themselves in a way that wins majority support by appealing to the political center

Differences between parties Stated in a party’s platform and reflected in campaigning

Advantages and Disadvantages of the two-party system Political stability Continuity in government Disadvantages Less opportunity to represent minority views Requirement for a majority vote in the Electoral College

Third parties Failure of the major parties to address popular causes and issues Introduce new ideas or press for a particular issue Often revolve around a political personality (e.g., Theodore Roosevelt)

Political Parties Republicans- Modern party usually associated with conservatives and tax cuts Democrats- Modern party usually associated with using government to solve problems and liberals