1. Questions
What is the responsibility of the U.S. and Mexico with regards to the migrants trying to enter the U.S. ?
In other words… what should be done by each government? Explain your answer.

2. Unit 3 Chapter 7: How American Citizens Influence the Government
Do lobbyists and interest groups have more influence on government policy than voters?

3. Aspects of Public Opinion
Shifting public interests
1960s – nuclear war, crime
1980s – war on drugs, budget deficit
2000s – terrorism
Lack of consensus
American often disagree
Time lag
Even when citizens agree on issue, takes time to change
Why is it so difficult to achieve a consensus on political, social, and economic issues?
Attitudes of citizens toward issues relating to the government

4. Measures of Public Opinion
Straw polls
not always reliable as only small percent
Scientific sampling (cross sample)
use census data to get more accurate sample
Improved poll-taking techniques
phone polls, online….. Still can be wrong

5. Forces that Influence Public Opinion
Personal opinions, experiences, information people receive can change over time.
Propaganda – information designed to shape public opinion.
Mass media – newspapers, magazines, radio, television, internet..
Advertising – for or against issues, people, ballot measures.

6. Forces that Influence Public Opinion
Government – elected officials try to persuade public opinion.
Economic forces – economic health is always on mind of citizens.
Cultural influences – people think diffidently based on communities in which they live.

7. The Role of Interest Groups
Interest group/special interest group = organized group of individuals who seek to influence government decision making on a given issue. Government – elected officials try to persuade public opinion
What are some reasons for the growth of special interest groups?
Free speech and assembly – free to form group
Responsive political system - politicians support groups
Power in numbers – more accomplished in numbers

8. Methods used by Interest Groups
Lobbying
Electioneering – Political Action Committees
Litigation
Grassroots action
Lobbyist – person that works to influence legislators
PACs and SuperPACs
Lawsuits against a group they oppose
Telephone calls, s, letters

9. Effects of Interest Groups
What possible problems could special interest groups have on the democratic process?
Limits on lobbying
Success of interest groups
What can you do to influence elected officials?
Success – win benefits for members, information, research, guidance

10. The Initiative Process
7 step initiative process
Draft the proposal
Preliminary filing
Circulation of petitions
Verification of signatures
Educating the public
Decision by the voters
Promulgation of the new law
Promulgate – proclamation that gives the measure the force of law in the place where the election took place

11. Referendum Process of voter approval or rejection of legislation.
3 types of referendums
Mandatory
Optional
Petition or protest
Mandatory – amendments to state constitutions, bonds
Optional – controversial
Petition – even if law passed legislature, still mat have to have voters approve or disapprove

12. How Voters Fire Elected Officials
Officials who have lost the confidence of voters can be fired through a recall election.