1. Chapter 11: The Political System
Section 1: Shaping Public Opinion
Section 2: Interest Groups
Section 3: Taking Part in Government

2. Shaping Public Opinion
Section 1
Shaping Public Opinion

3. Section 1: Key Terms
Public Opinion
Mass Media
Propaganda
Poll

4. Public Opinion is Many Opinions
Public Opinion is the total of opinions held concerning a particular issue
Each different group of people have different opinions on different matters

5. Factors that Influence Public Opinion
Family
Friends
Teachers
Mass Media
Propaganda

6. Family, Friends, Teacher, etc.
We share the same experiences, therefore we tend to have similar responses to certain issues
By interacting with other people, we learn different view points, thus shaping our opinion on matters
What is one issue that you had a certain viewpoint but you opinion was changed by this factor?

7. Mass Media
Various forms of communication that transmit information to large numbers of people
Books, Magazines, Newspapers
Facebook, Twitter
Movies, Radio, TV

8. Propaganda Concealed Propaganda Revealed Propaganda
Is used to fool people without letting them know that its purpose is to influence their views
Widely used in political advertisements
More common in U.S
Makes readers and listeners aware that someone is trying to influence them
Such as TV and radio commercials trying to sell products
Political ads that are labeled as paid advertisements

9. Propaganda Techniques
Testimonials
Name Calling
Bandwagon
Glittering Generalities
Plain-Folks Appeal
Card Stacking

10. Testimonials Verbal endorsements
Political candidates and advertisers are constantly seeking out endorsements from famous people
Law states that any celebrity who endorses a product or person must be their honest experience/opinion

11. Name Calling
Using an unpleasant label or description to harm a person, group, or product
Constantly seen in various political ad campaigns
When a candidate states that the other person “favors reckless spending” and “opposes progress”
You must determine what is true or not

12. Bandwagon
Is when you can win some people over with your opinion and eventually more and more people will come to your side
Just like New England Patriot fans when they started winning Super Bowls
“Everybody’s doing it! Jump on the bandwagon!”
Peer-pressure factor

13. Glittering Generalities
Uses words or vague statements that sound good but have little real meaning
Usually in politicians will use words like freedom and patriotism
These words are chosen because they spark positive images with which most people in the country identify

14. Propaganda Techniques (cont’d)
Plain-Folks Appeal
Card Stacking
Designed to show people that, as one of them, the candidate can best represent their interest
Such as a politician from NYC dressing up like a cowboy to campaign in Texas
Uses facts that support only one side of a particular product, idea, or candidate
This technique stacks cards against the truth
Ex. Newspapers may give front page attention to the activities to a candidate they favor

15. Measuring Public Opinion
The most common way to measure public opinion is by the use of a poll.
A poll is a survey to measure public opinion
It attempts to measure by asking people’s opinions on certain things

16. Section 1: Assessment How is public opinion shaped?
What are the six common propaganda techniques?
With the spread of the internet, will the use of propaganda become less common or more common?

17. Section 2
Interest Groups

18. Section 2: Key Terms Interest Groups Lobby Lobbyist
Public-Interest Groups

19. What is an Interest Group?
Organizations of people with a common interest that try to influence government policies and decisions
An interest group is also known as a pressure group or lobby.
A person who is paid by the lobby or interest group to represent that groups interests is called a lobbyist.

20. Types of Interest Groups

21. Public-Interest Groups
Promote the interest of the general public rather than just one part of it
Ex. Protect consumers, wildlife and the environment

22. Lobbyists Influence Government
Lobbyists Influence Public Opinion
Lobbyists Work with Congress
Place advertisements in mass media in support of their positions
Promise to help govt. officials in their next election by supplying workers and contributions
Argue in support of bills they favor and against ones they oppose
Sometimes ask members of Congress to sponsor bills of the interest group
May help write certain bills
Govt. officials contact lobbyists to learn what interest groups think about certain issues

23. Section 2: Assessment Why are there so many kinds of interest groups?
How do lobbyists play an important role in government?
Do interest groups have too much influence on the government? Why or why not?

24. Taking part in government
Section 3
Taking part in government

25. Section 3: Key Terms
Volunteers
Political Action Committees (PACs)

26. 4 Ways Citizens Can Participate in Govt.
Speaking out on Public Issues
Participating in a Community Action Group
Working on a Political Campaign
Voting
(most important)

27. Voting is Important Must be 18 years old
On average 60% of eligible voters vote in presidential elections
Why do you think that is?
What are ways to generate more people to vote?

28. Taking Part in Political Campaigns
Anyone of any age can be involved as a volunteer.
Volunteers are individuals who work without pay to help others.
Why do young people today choose not to volunteer on political campaigns?

29. PACs and Super PACs
Groups that collect voluntary contributions from members and use this money to fund candidates that their committees favor
PACs contributed nearly $260 million to candidates running in the 2000 election

30. Super PACs
Totals for the 2014 cycle  Independent Expenditures: $3,873, Total Receipts: $7,601,313.00  Negative spending (opposes a candidate): 63%  Positive spending (supports a candidate): 37%

31. Section 3: Assessment
Are PACs and Super PACs a solid way to participate in government? Do they have to much power?
What are the 4 ways a citizen can participate in government?
Why is voting such a fundamental right and responsibility?