Influencing Government

Chapter 11

Public Opinion

Section 1

Why is Public Opinion Important?

• Helps shape the government’s decisions

• Helps determine the timing of decisions

• Not uniform – varies widely

“I cannot go any faster than the people will let me.”

- Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Forming Public Opinion

• Personal Background

• The Mass Media

• Public Officials

• Interest Groups

Components of Public Opinion• Direction– On any given topic, is it

positive, negative or mixed?

• Intensity– How strongly do

people feel about the issue?

• Stability– How likely are opinions

on this issue to change?

Approval Ratings of FDR

Measuring Public Opinion

• Election Results– Show only a broad measure

of public opinion– Not very specific

• Public Opinion Polls– More accurate

• Random Samples– Reflects the characteristics of

the entire population in a small group

Polls and Democracy

Pro• Allows officeholders to keep

in touch with the citizens views

• Don’t have to wait for elections to see if the people approve or disapprove of the government

Con• Makes officials more

concerned with following the public than leading

• Distort elections – focus on who is winning rather than the issues

• Discourage people from voting

The Framers and Public Opinion

• Wanted to allow for public rule, but insulate leaders from the shifting whims of the people

• Public opinion does help shape public policy, but there are other factors at work:– Interest groups– Political Parties– Mass Media– Other Institutions

of government– Individuals

Section 2

The Mass Media

Types of Media

Print Media• Newspapers

– More than 70% of adults read newspapers

• Magazines• Newsletters• Books

• Give deeper coverage than TV

Electronic Media• Radio• Television

– 98% of homes have a TV• Internet

– Allows people to get news and ideas whenever they want.

– Can get much more information than from TV or radio sound bites

The Media’s Impact on Politics and Government

• Setting the Public Agenda

• Candidates and Elections

• Elected Officials• Watchdog Role• Media and National

Security

Protecting the Media

• Democracy requires a free flow of information– First Amendment• Freedom from prior restraint

• Limits of freedom of the press– Libel– National Security– Broadcast regulation – who gets airtime– FCC

Interest Groups

Section 3

Types of Interest Groups

• Economic Interest Groups• Private Interest Groups• Public Interest Groups

Influencing Government

• Election Activities• Going to Court• Lobbying Lawmakers

Techniques of Interest Groups

• Direct mail campaigns• TV and Radio Ads• Protests• Public Events• Propaganda

Types of Propaganda

• Endorsements• Stacked Cards• Name-Calling• Glittering Generality• Symbols• Just Plain Folks• The Bandwagon

Regulation of Interest Groups

• 1971 – Federal Election Campaign Act• 1946 – Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act– Only covers full-time lobbyists: 20-25%– No enforcement

• Officials must wait to become lobbyists– Time varies from state to state– Doesn’t really work

Pros and Cons of Interest Groups and Lobbying

Pro• Most citizens have

little effect on the government individually

• Together, with skilled lobbyists, can make a difference

Con• Too much say in

government• Campaign

contributions give interest groups improper influence over office holders