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Starter. How are John Locke and Thomas Jefferson tied together?. Keeping the public informed. 6.04. Staying informed. The US public must be an informed citizenry - people must be aware of the laws Ignorance of the law is no excuse
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Starter • How are John Locke and Thomas Jefferson tied together?
Staying informed • The US public must be an informedcitizenry- people must be aware of the laws • Ignorance of the law is no excuse • just because you did know the law does not mean you cannot be punished for breaking it
How can citizens stay informed? • Town meetings- citizens gather and help draft new laws. • Public hearings- council meetings that citizens can attend • Public forums- citizens can express their opinions about laws or issues • Media- people can watch the news, listen to the radio, go online, or read papers
How does the government help citizens stay informed? • Press releases- statement released to the media by the government • Government publications and websites • “click it or ticket”, “move over” highway laws • Political debate • Franking privileges- officials send mail for free • Special task forces- temporary groups that study certain areas • Ensures information is correct
Today’s Assignment on maintaining an Informed Citizenry • Tell why is it important for citizens to stay informed about the law. • Identify how the government keeps citizens informed. • Choose the best way for citizens to stay informed themselves. Explain your answer. • Develop a press release on the 19th Amendment as if you were a senator from NC.
Starter • Explain the ideas of the Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan, and the Great Compromise.
Interest groups- promote a particular cause or position • Lobbyists- work for interest groups to influence legislation • Do you think they have too much power in government?
Different interests • Economic interests- involve money • Private interest groups: • Business interests • Chamber of Commerce: supports private businesses • Labor unions, agricultural groups, professional groups • Non-economic interests- money is not the most important factor • Ideological beliefs- promote a principle or moral cause- Christian group • Public interest groups: seen as important to the public (environment or civil rights) • Single interest groups: specific groups (such as veterans groups or retired people)
Think Tanks • Organizations established to research and study important issues (poverty, terrorism) • Some see them as biased towards forwarding their own ideas • Can be conservative, liberal, moderate, or non-partisan.
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 • Reduced the amount of money one could give to federal political campaigns. • This hurt interest groups.
Today’s Assignment on interest groups and lobbyists • List the five kinds of private interest groups. • Explain what a public interest group is. • Compare thinks tanks to political parties. • Create an ideological interest group. Explain its purpose and how you would use it too affect the government.