1. Interest Groups and Public Opinion
Government Chapter 18
Interest Groups and Public Opinion

2. Interest Group Organization
Interest group- share common goals to influence government.
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.

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

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

5. Interest Groups
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.
Agricultural Groups- American Farm Bureau Federation the largest.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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