Public Policy & PoliticsChapter 10

Government & the Public

What is public policy?

The sum of government’s goals and actions made in response to public opinion.

What is public opinion?

“Those opinions held by private persons which governments find it prudent to heed.” –V. O. Key

Characteristics of Public Opinion

1. Government does not gauge public opinion simply by determining the opinions of the average American. (Publics have special interests.)

2. Some issues stay around for a long time; others fade away quickly.

Categorizing Public Opinion

Two main categories: Liberal Conservative

What is liberalism?

What is conservatism?

What is laissez faire?

A laissez faire economic policy is one in which the government keeps its hands off of the economy and plays a minimal role.

How has liberalism and conservatism changed over time?

Evaluate

“…contemporary political conservatives more often take positions closer to Scripture than do modern liberals.” (page 206)

Public Policy

Basic Goals of Government

Establish justice Ensure domestic tranquility Provide for common defense Promote the general welfare

From where do we get these goals?

What is Domestic Policy?

Economics Law Education Health Energy Environment Civil liberties

What is Foreign Policy?

Diplomacy Trade relations War

How is public policy developed?

Identify an issue. Set an agenda. Form a response to the problem. Implement or carry out the policy. Evaluate the policy’s effectiveness.

Ex: Red Light

Public Opinion

What is public opinion?

“Those opinions held by private persons which governments find it prudent to heed.” –V. O. Key

What people believe affects what they say and how they act.

Where do our opinions come from?

Family Peers Events/Circumstances Institutions: School/Church Christ

Evaluate

“Public opinion can be a gauge of spirituality – or the absence of it.” (pg. 209)

What do you think about this statement?

How is public opinion measured?

Elections Perceptions Opinion Polls Scientific Surveys

p. 209-210

Is Public Opinion dangerous?

“A single misleading piece of evidence may lead a public rush to judgment…”

Examples: Airplane crash – greater safety demands E-coli outbreak – restrictions on produce Cell phone cancer – no cell phones? Enron meltdown – greater oversight of

corporations 9/11 – demand for security

Interest Groups

What’s the purpose of an interest group?

Kinds of Interest Groups

Economic (Chamber of Commerce, Taxpayers Union, Electrical Workers Union)

Social (AARP, Sierra Club)Single-interest (Right-to-Life,

THSC, NRA)Religious and ideological

(Christian Coalition, Americans United for Separation of Church & State)

Civic groups (League of Women Voters, VFW, Rotary Club)

What do Interest Groups do?

Lobby Persuade the Public Hold rallies and protests Form political action committees

(PACs) Sue in court

What’s the role of Mass Media on public opinion & public policy?

What forms of media are there?

Newspapers Radio TV Internet

What are the powers of media?

Legal rights Prior restraint – Government can’t require

approval Shield laws – protect sources

FOIA – Freedom of Information Act Powers of Presentation

Decide what to cover How much to cover Perspective from which the story is told

Wikileaks

What are the limits of media?

Legal limits Libel, slander, obscenity, FCC

Press Pitfalls Media “scares”

What’s propaganda?

“The use of various techniques to select and manipulate information so as to persuade or influence people effectively.”

Propaganda

Propaganda

Propaganda

Propaganda

Propaganda

Propaganda

What are some propaganda techniques?

Name calling Plain folks Bandwagon Testimonial Card stacking Glittering generalities Transfer

Political Cartoons

Political Cartoons

Political Cartoons

Political Cartoons

Political Cartoons

Political Cartoons

Political Cartoons

“Christians should strive to anchor their convictions in Scripture rather than allow themselves to be swayed by political propaganda – even propaganda circulated by conservative politicians and organizations.”

Think critically!