1. Influencing Public Policy

2. Preview Activity:
Read the descriptions of the Special Interest Groups listed, place a check mark next to the ones that would interest you.

3. Testable Information Follow along and fill in your notes
as we discuss how individuals and
interest groups influence public policy.

4. Influencing Public Policy:
Public Policy is…
How the government
reacts to problems or
issues
LAWS

5. Influencing Public Policy:
Ways Individuals Influence Public Policy:
Participating in _____________ (voting, campaigning, seeking office)
Expressing _______________ (lobbying, demonstrating, writing letters)
Joining ____________ Groups
politics
opinions
Interest

6. Influencing Public Policy:
Ways Interest Groups Influence Public Policy:
Identifying __________________
issues
Gulf Oil Spill

7. Influencing Public Policy:
Ways Interest Groups Influence Public Policy:
Identifying __________________
Making ______________ contributions
issues
political

8. Influencing Public Policy:
Ways Interest Groups Influence Public Policy:
Identifying __________________
Making ______________ contributions
______________ Government Officials
issues
political
Lobbying

9. Influencing Public Policy:
Ways Media Play an Important Role in Setting the Public Agenda:
Holding government officials _________________ to the public.
accountable

10. Influencing Public Policy:
Ways Media Play an Important Role in Setting the Public Agenda:
Holding government officials _________________ to the public.
Offering a forum in which opposing ______________ are communicated
accountable
viewpoints

11. Influencing Public Policy:
Ways Media Play an Important Role in Setting the Public Agenda:
Holding government officials _________________ to the public.
Offering a forum in which opposing ______________ are communicated
Focusing public attention on selected __________
accountable
viewpoints
issues

12. Influencing Public Policy:
Government officials use the _________ to communicate with the public.
media

13. Answer the questions using your notes about influencing public policy.
Processing Activity:
Answer the questions using your notes about influencing public policy.

14. Create Your Own Interest Group!
Work with a partner to create your own interest group.
Write a paragraph about your interest group answering the following questions:
What is the name of your interest group?
What do you support?
What things are you against?
What is one piece of legislation you would want to see passed in Congress?
How would you influence government to do what you want?