Civics Chapter 9 - Influencing Government

Serving as "watchdog"

Helping government leaders communicate with the public

• How interest groups influence gov't

• How the media influences gov't

• How individuals influence gov't

• How lobbyists influence gov't

Media as "watchdog"

• The media reports on wrongdoing in the government

• The media communicate directly with lawmakers to influence legislation

• The media donates to campaigns and PACs

• The media run campaigns to get elected to office

Monitoring, litigation, lobbying, campaigning, publicity

• the ways that interest groups influence govt

• the ways that the media influences government

• the ways that individuals influence govt

• the ways that political parties get candidates elected

Political communications that are biased, that exaggerate, that appeal to emotions over reason, and use special persuasive techniques to influence public opinion

• Symbolism

• Bias

• Propaganda

• Media

Voting, petitioning government officials, attending town hall meetings, donating to campaigns

• How media influences gov't

• How interest groups influence gov't

• How individuals influence govt

• How lobbyists influence gov't

1 - Work to get candidates elected

2 - Work to get laws passed

• Interest group

  Political party

• Political party

  Interest group

An organization of workers that tries to improve working conditions, wages, and benefits for its members

• NAACP

• Lobbyists

• Public Interest Group

• Labor Union

Speaking directly to government officials to influence new legislation

• Monitoring

• Electioneering

• Lobbying

• Publicity

Why do politicians listen to lobbyists?

• They have special expertise in an area

• They bribe politicians

• They blackmail politicians

• They are required to meet with lobbyists

Filing lawsuits in court to promote their causes(ex - Brown v. Board of Education)

• Litigation

• Monitoring

• Electioneering

• Lobbying