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Chapter 11: The Political System
Section 1: Shaping Public Opinion
Section 2: Interest Groups
Section 3: Taking Part in Government
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SHAPING PUBLIC OPINIONSection 1
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Section 1: Key Terms Public Opinion
Mass Media
Propaganda
Poll
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Public Opinion is Many Opinions Public Opinion is the
total of opinions held concerning a particular issue
Each different group of people have different opinions on different matters
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Factors that Influence Public Opinion Family Friends Teachers Mass Media Propaganda
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Family, Friends, Teacher, etc.
We share the same experiences, therefore we tend to have similar responses to certain issues
By interacting with other people, we learn different view points, thus shaping our opinion on matters
What is one issue that you had a certain viewpoint but you opinion was changed by this factor?
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Mass Media Various forms of
communication that transmit information to large numbers of people Books, Magazines,
Newspapers Facebook, Twitter Movies, Radio, TV
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Propaganda
Concealed Propaganda Is used to fool people
without letting them know that its purpose is to influence their views
Widely used in political advertisements
Revealed Propaganda More common in U.S Makes readers and listeners
aware that someone is trying to influence them
Such as TV and radio commercials trying to sell products
Political ads that are labeled as paid advertisements
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Propaganda Techniques Testimonials
Name Calling
Bandwagon
Glittering Generalities
Plain-Folks Appeal
Card Stacking
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Testimonials
Verbal endorsements Political candidates and advertisers are
constantly seeking out endorsements from famous people
Law states that any celebrity who endorses a product or person must be their honest experience/opinion
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Name Calling Using an unpleasant label or
description to harm a person, group, or product
Constantly seen in various political ad campaigns When a candidate states that the
other person “favors reckless spending” and “opposes progress”
You must determine what is true or not
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Bandwagon
Is when you can win some people over with your opinion and eventually more and more people will come to your side Just like New England Patriot fans when they
started winning Super Bowls “Everybody’s doing it! Jump on the bandwagon!” Peer-pressure factor
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Glittering Generalities
Uses words or vague statements that sound good but have little real meaning
Usually in politicians will use words like freedom and patriotism These words are chosen because they spark
positive images with which most people in the country identify
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Propaganda Techniques (cont’d)Plain-Folks Appeal Designed to show people
that, as one of them, the candidate can best represent their interest
Such as a politician from NYC dressing up like a cowboy to campaign in Texas
Card Stacking Uses facts that support only
one side of a particular product, idea, or candidate
This technique stacks cards against the truth Ex. Newspapers may give
front page attention to the activities to a candidate they favor
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Measuring Public Opinion The most common way
to measure public opinion is by the use of a poll. A poll is a survey to
measure public opinion It attempts to measure
by asking people’s opinions on certain things
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Section 1: Assessment
How is public opinion shaped? What are the six common propaganda
techniques? With the spread of the internet, will the use of
propaganda become less common or more common?
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INTEREST GROUPSSection 2
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Section 2: Key Terms Interest Groups
Lobby
Lobbyist
Public-Interest Groups
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What is an Interest Group?
Organizations of people with a common interest that try to influence government policies and decisions
An interest group is also known as a pressure group or lobby. A person who is paid by the lobby or interest
group to represent that groups interests is called a lobbyist.
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Types of Interest Groups
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Public-Interest Groups Promote the interest of
the general public rather than just one part of it
Ex. Protect consumers, wildlife and the environment
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Lobbyists Influence GovernmentLobbyists Work with Congress Argue in support of bills
they favor and against ones they oppose
Sometimes ask members of Congress to sponsor bills of the interest group
May help write certain bills Govt. officials contact
lobbyists to learn what interest groups think about certain issues
Lobbyists Influence Public Opinion Place advertisements in
mass media in support of their positions
Promise to help govt. officials in their next election by supplying workers and contributions
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Section 2: Assessment
Why are there so many kinds of interest groups?
How do lobbyists play an important role in government?
Do interest groups have too much influence on the government? Why or why not?
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TAKING PART IN GOVERNMENT
Section 3
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Section 3: Key Terms Volunteers
Political Action Committees (PACs)
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4 Ways Citizens Can Participate in Govt. Speaking out on Public
Issues
Participating in a Community Action Group
Working on a Political Campaign
Voting
(most important)
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Voting is Important
Must be 18 years old On average 60% of
eligible voters vote in presidential elections Why do you think that is? What are ways to
generate more people to vote?
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Taking Part in Political Campaigns Anyone of any age can be
involved as a volunteer. Volunteers are individuals
who work without pay to help others.
Why do young people today choose not to volunteer on political campaigns?
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PACs and Super PACs
Groups that collect voluntary contributions from members and use this money to fund candidates that their committees favor
PACs contributed nearly $260 million to candidates running in the 2000 election
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Super PACs
Totals for the 2014 cycle Independent Expenditures: $3,873,082.63Total Receipts: $7,601,313.00 Negative spending (opposes a candidate): 63% Positive spending (supports a candidate): 37%
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Section 3: Assessment
Are PACs and Super PACs a solid way to participate in government? Do they have to much power?
What are the 4 ways a citizen can participate in government?
Why is voting such a fundamental right and responsibility?