1. 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

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

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

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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

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

10. http://www. cyberlearning-world. com/lessons/civics/electoral_process

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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)

16. 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

17. Running for Public Office
Recruitment
Nomination (selected to represent a political party)
Primary elections
Party members vote to select candidate
Caucuses
Meeting where party members select candidate
Convention
Party members select delegates to choose candidate
Political Campaigns

18. Mass Media Roles in Elections
Identifying candidates
Emphasizing selected issues
Writing editorials, creating political cartoons, publishing op-ed pieces, political commentaries
Broadcasting different points of view, debates
Public opinion polls
Endorsing candidates

19. Propaganda
Promote a particular idea or viewpoint. Trying to persuade or influence people to do something.

20. Propaganda Techniques
Endorsements- have famous people endorse or support the candidate
Stacked Cards- present only one side of an issue. Ignore the negative

21. Propaganda Techniques (cont.)
The Bandwagon- convince people that everyone else is going to vote for the candidate or issue
Glittering Generality- Statement that sounds good but essentially means nothing

22. Propaganda Techniques (cont.)
Symbols- candidate will use symbols to appeal to the public
Just Plain Folk- make people think the candidate is just like them
Name-calling- try to turn people against the opponent by using negative descriptions

23. Rising Campaigns Costs
Require candidates to conduct extensive fund-raising activities
Give an advantage to the wealthy individuals who run for office
Encourage the development of political action committees (PACS)
Special interest groups who provide money to candidates who support their cause

24. Rising Campaign Costs (cont.)
Give issue-oriented special interests groups increased influence
Limits opportunities to run for public office

25. Campaign Finance Reform
Rising campaign costs have led to efforts to reform campaign finance laws
Limits exist on the amount individuals may contribute to political candidates and campaigns

26. To each candidate or candidate committee per election
To national party committee per calendar year
To state, district & local party committee per calendar year
To any other political committee per calendar year[1]
Special Limits
Individual may give
$2,500*
$30,800*
$10,000 (combined limit)
$5,000
$117,000* overall biennial limit:
$46,200* to all candidates
$70,800* to all PACs and parties[2]
National Party Committee may give
No limit
$43,100* to Senate candidate per campaign[3]
State, District & Local Party Committee may give
$5,000 (combined limit)
PAC (multicandidate)[4 may give
$15,000
PAC (not multicandidate) may give
Authorized Campaign Committee may give
$2,000[5]
Contribution Limits

27. Qualifications to Register to Vote in Virginia
Citizen of the United States
Resident of Virginia and Precinct
18 years of age by day of general election

28. How to Register in Virginia
In person, at the registrar’s office, at the Division of Motor Vehicles, or at other designated sites
By mail application
Registration is closed 29 days before elections

29. Absentee Voting
If a voter is unable to get to the voting station on election day, he/she can vote via an absentee ballot
Absentee ballots are mailed in and counted after the election

30. Factors in Predicting which Citizens will Vote
Education
Age
Income

31. Why Citizens Fail to Vote
Lack of Interest (voter apathy)
Failure to register

32. Every vote is important!!!!
Why vote?
The percentage of voters who participate in presidential elections is usually greater than the percentage of voters who participate in state and local elections
Every vote is important!!!!