Linking Groups
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Presentation Transcript
Linking Groups Connecting the people to the political process
Public Opinion – the attitudes held by a significant number of people on matters of government and politics • There are many Publics of people • Publics refer to a group of people who share a common attitude on a matter • Membership of groups shift from topic to topic • Public opinion is specific to attitudes on Public Affairs • Politics • Public issues • Legislation • Enforcement
Public Opinion • Opinions are formed through a combination of differing agents of socialization • Family • School • Media • Peers • Opinion Leaders • History
Public Opinion • Public opinion polls • Devices that attempt to collect information about people’s attitudes on public affairs • Straw votes • Ask huge numbers the same question • Not scientific • Not reliable because the sample group is too narrow
Public Opinion • Scientific polling • Five step process • Define the population (group) you want to study • Construct a sample of about 1,500 people (yeah, that small works!) • Create carefully worded questions • Interview the sample group • Analyze the findings • Fairly reliable at the national level
Public Opinion • Public Policy • The ACTIONS taken by the government to address public opinion
Public Opinion • Public Policy -- The ACTIONS taken by the government to address public opinion • If politicians want to be re-elected, they make public policy based on public opinion as much as possible
Public Opinion • Public Policy & Public Opinion • Public Opinion DRIVES Public Policy
Political Parties • The goal of political parties is to try to influence government through getting members elected to office
Political Parties • There are two strong political parties in the USA • Democrats • Left wing • Liberal • Republicans • Right wing • Conservative
Political Parties • Reasons we have a history of the two-party system in the USA • History • Not mentioned in the Constitution • Started almost immediately after Constitution was signed • Tend to moderate, not alienate • Tradition • It is important because it’s always been important • Distrust of a third party
Political Parties • Reasons we have a history of the two-party system in the USA • Electoral System • Winner take all system • Favors the major players • Third party vote is “wasted vote” • Close political ideology • No large communist element • No large fascist element • Mostly all center-right republican element
Political Parties • There are five basic activities parties do • Nominating candidates • Select electable candidates • Provide funding • Provide advice
Political Parties • There are five basic activities parties do • Informing and Activating members • Campaigning • How GOOD their candidate is • How BAD the other one is • Getting out the vote! • Electorate must vote to matter • Get them stirred up enough • Provide opportunity to vote • Transportation • Absentee balloting
Political Parties • There are five basic activities parties do • “Bonding” Agent” • Guaranteeing the actions of elected officials • Makes sure they “do the right thing” • Criticize if needed • Pull support is last resort • Keeping the party image is more important than the image of one politician
Political Parties • There are five basic activities parties do • Governing • Organizing legislatures • Party Whip • Gets members in to vote • Makes sure they vote the “right” way • Deals/trades • Pressure
Political Parties • There are five basic activities parties do • Watchdog • Points out the mistakes of the other party • Opposition choice • Their way is bad for country • Our way is good!
Political Parties • Cool things other states have that PA doesn’t • Initiative • The PEOPLE can introduce laws, not just the legislature • Referendum • The PEOPLE can pass laws, not just the legislature • Recall • The people can demand new elections to get rid of elected politicians, not just wait until the next election day
Political Parties • Voter turnout in USA is low compared to most other democratic nations • Mostly because of lack of interest Even lower in the years we don’t elect a president • People get disappointed in politics Nothing changes • Only the rich can afford to run for office • Voter Fatigue • Americans vote more often • Americans vote for more offices
The Media • Mass Media – is communication that reaches a large audience. • This includes: • television • radio • advertising • movies • the Internet, • newspapers, • magazines • and so forth.
The Media • Goals of the mass media • Inform the public • Entertain the public (so they buy the medium and the company makes money)
The Media • Media play large roles in • Setting public agenda • What the public feels is a big problem that needs immediate attention • Focus on certain news items, downplay others • What makes “front page” headlines • Lead off stories in news • Political talk shows
The Media • Media play large roles in • Electoral politics • Media have surpassed political parties in getting the message out to the public • Portrayal of candidates on media • Two way street of manipulation • Media manipulates the candidate’s personality • Candidates manipulate the media for favorable coverage
The Media • Media play large roles in • Electoral politics • Portrayal of candidates on media • “Laws of getting TV time” • Keep it short • SOUND BITES • Under a minute is best • Fits into broadcast news • Do something • Action is good • Giving a speech is boring
The Media • The electorate and information • Sadly, few people bother to get info • Sadly, few VOTERS get info! • Those who do follow news, are selective • Media and money • News is a money making business • Fires, murders and weather get viewers and money!
Interest Groups • Interest Groups are groups of people united to push a certain political agenda
Interest Groups • Interest Groups are different than political parties • IG do NOT nominate candidates – they support them • IG are concerned with influencing policy, not controlling government
Interest Groups • Interest Groups are different than political parties • IG have a narrow focus • Issue-oriented • Do not cater to general opinions needed by PP • Private organizations • Not accountable to the voter • Only accountable to IG membership
Interest Groups • Positive Effects • Give organized voice to people • Give information to politicians • Negative Effects • If they get too powerful, it appears corrupt
Interest Groups • Types • Economic • Business groups • Labor groups • Agricultural groups • Professional association groups
Interest Groups • Types • Issue-oriented • Devoted to a cause • Examples • Environmental • Pro-life • NRA
Interest Groups • Types • Public Interest • Special interests of the members • To benefit all people
Interest Groups • Types • Political Action Committees (PACs) • Private interest groups • Raise money • To influence the results of elections
Interest Groups • Types • Group Organizations • Segments of the population • Examples • AARP • Veterans groups • NAACP • Religious groups
Interest Groups Direct Approach • Lobbyists • People who try to persuade politicians to favor their cause • Most are professionals • MUST PROTECT REPUTATION OR ELSE!
Interest Groups • Work at all levels of Government • National • State • Work in all branches of government • Legislative • Executive • Judicial
Interest Groups Direct Approach • Actions – Congress • Testify before Congressional Committees • Provide useful information (propaganda) • Write speeches • Make campaign contributions
Interest Groups Direct Approach • Actions – Executive • Trade positive press for positive consideration • Make campaign contributions • Access at the agency level
Interest Groups Direct Approach • Actions – Courts • Bring lawsuit in name of interested party • NAACP Brown v Board • ACLU free speech issues • File “amicus briefs” • A friend (amigo!) of the court report • Try to frame the lawsuit in a bigger context for judges • Influence selection of Judges
Interest Groups Indirect Approach • Make it look like GRASS ROOTS movement • Make it look like it is a popular idea growing from the people • Hide the group’s involvement • Get-out-the-vote movement focused on the “right” candidate
Interest Groups Indirect Approach • Shape public opinion • Advertisements • Leaflets • Use Propaganda • Go for the gut • Use fiery language
Interest Groups Indirect Approach • Electioneering • Give candidate’s “report cards” of interest • PAC contributions • Political Action Committee • Political funding • Some restrictions • Major players in today’s politics
