Influencing the Government - Review

What are the 3 ways that the media monitors and influences government?

• choose issues that get attention

• endorse candidates for office

• pick stories people will talk about and take action on

• expose government misconduct

• raise money through political action committees (PACs)

What are the 3 ways that interest groups monitor and influences government?

• Provide information (often biased)

• endorse candidates for office

• pick stories people will talk about and take action on

• expose government misconduct

• raise money through political action committees (PACs)

What are ways individuals can influence and monitor the government? (hint: there are FOUR correct answers!)

• run for political office

• attend civic meetings

• vote

• petition the government

• lobby senators and representatives

What is the main purpose of Political Action Committees (PACs)?

• pooling money to give to candidates running for office

• convincing politicians to support their interest group's positions with their decisions

• providing politicians with unbiased information to increase the common good

• endorsing candidates that support their personal views and agree with their platform

What is the media?

• Organization concerned with a particular issue. Gather people and resources to support public policies that help members.

• Political organization that promotes the cause of a particular interest group, usually through raising money

• the source of news and info about current events

What is an interest group?

• Organization concerned with a particular issue. Gather people and resources to support public policies that help members.

• Political organization that promotes the cause of a particular interest group, usually through raising money

• the source of news and info about current events

Why are government leaders often influenced by special interest groups?

• Special interest groups use methods supported by voters
• Special interest groups control media coverage of political campaigns
• Special interest groups raise significant amounts of money for political campaign
• Special interest groups provide voters with information about qualifications of candidates

What is the name for representatives in interest groups who contact officials directly?

• Propagandists
• Lobbyists
• Pollsters
• Political Action Committee

Based on the government system in the U.S., which individual activity is used to directly influence legislative decisions?

• Watching political debates on TV
• Discussing political issues at work
• Collecting opinions for a yearbook
• Gathering signatures for a petition

Who do lobbyists represent in their attempts to influence government?

• Military officers
• Elected officials
• Interest Groups
• Circuit Judges