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