1. Chapter 10

3.  The sum of government’s goals and actions made in response to public opinion.

4.  “Those opinions held by private persons which governments find it prudent to heed.” –V. O. Key

5.  1. Government does not gauge public opinion simply by determining the opinions of the average American. (Publics have special interests.)  2. Some issues stay around for a long time; others fade away quickly.

6.  Two main categories:  Liberal  Conservative

9.  A laissez faire economic policy is one in which the government keeps its hands off of the economy and plays a minimal role.

10.  How has liberalism and conservatism changed over time?

11.  “…contemporary political conservatives more often take positions closer to Scripture than do modern liberals.” (page 206)

13.  Establish justice  Ensure domestic tranquility  Provide for common defense  Promote the general welfare  From where do we get these goals?

14.  Economics  Law  Education  Health  Energy  Environment  Civil liberties

15.  Diplomacy  Trade relations  War

16.  Identify an issue.  Set an agenda.  Form a response to the problem.  Implement or carry out the policy.  Evaluate the policy’s effectiveness. Ex: Red Light

18.  “Those opinions held by private persons which governments find it prudent to heed.” –V. O. Key  What people believe affects what they say and how they act.

19.  Family  Peers  Events/Circumstances  Institutions: School/Church  Christ

20.  “Public opinion can be a gauge of spirituality – or the absence of it.” (pg. 209)  What do you think about this statement?

21.  Elections  Perceptions  Opinion Polls  Scientific Surveys p. 209-210

22.  “A single misleading piece of evidence may lead a public rush to judgment…”  Examples:  Airplane crash – greater safety demands  E-coli outbreak – restrictions on produce  Cell phone cancer – no cell phones?  Enron meltdown – greater oversight of corporations  9/11 – demand for security

25.  Economic (Chamber of Commerce, Taxpayers Union, Electrical Workers Union)  Social (AARP, Sierra Club)  Single-interest (Right-to-Life, THSC, NRA)  Religious and ideological (Christian Coalition, Americans United for Separation of Church & State)  Civic groups (League of Women Voters, VFW, Rotary Club)

26.  Lobby  Persuade the Public  Hold rallies and protests  Form political action committees (PACs)  Sue in court

28.  Newspapers  Radio  TV  Internet

29.  Legal rights  Prior restraint – Government can’t require approval  Shield laws – protect sources  FOIA – Freedom of Information Act  Powers of Presentation  Decide what to cover  How much to cover  Perspective from which the story is told  Wikileaks

30.  Legal limits  Libel, slander, obscenity, FCC  Press Pitfalls  Media “scares”

31.  “The use of various techniques to select and manipulate information so as to persuade or influence people effectively.”

38.  Name calling  Plain folks  Bandwagon  Testimonial  Card stacking  Glittering generalities  Transfer

46.  “Christians should strive to anchor their convictions in Scripture rather than allow themselves to be swayed by political propaganda – even propaganda circulated by conservative politicians and organizations.”  Think critically!