Vocabulary Interest groups- Groups that hope to influence gov’t officials to create legislation (laws) that benefit their agenda. Types of interest groups.

VocabularyInterest groups- Groups that

hope to influence gov’t officials to create legislation (laws) that benefit their agenda. Types of interest groups include single issue, economic and public interest.

Warm Up?What are the kinds of services

provided by Government Agencies?

Enforcing LawsEQ: Explain the various types of government agencies as well as how citizens can stay informed and participate in government?

Federal, state and local governments rely on a number of agencies to implement laws effectively.

Regulatory Commissions and Independent Agencies Regulatory Commissions

and Independent Agencies see that laws are efficiently implemented and held to.◦ Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA)◦ Federal Trade Commission

(FTC)◦ National Transportation

Safety Board (NTSB)◦ Federal Communications

Commission (FCC)◦ Food & Drug Administration

(FDA)◦ Consumer Product Safety

Commission (CPSC)

◦ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

◦ National Aeronautic & Space Administration (NASA)

◦ Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

◦ Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC)

Law Enforcement Agencies National

◦ FBI Nations top law

enforcement agency

Operates under the US Justice Department

◦ Secret Service Responsible for

protecting public officials

Counterfeiting of US Money

State State Bureau of

Investigation (SBI) State’s equivalent of FBI

State’s top law enforcement agency

State Troopers Investigate and

enforce violations of state traffic laws

National Guard State’s Military Force Serves to help in times

of natural disasters or maintain order

Under command of Governor but can be nationalized by the President

Local◦ Sheriff’s

Department provides enforcement of criminal and civil laws

◦ Cities have their own police departments for city-wide enforcement

Informed CitizenryPeople must be

informed of the laws that govern their society

Ignorance of the Law is no excuse.◦ Citizens are

expected to obey a law even if they don’t know it existed.

Staying Informed Town Meeting

◦ Citizens in smaller communities can take part in drafting local laws and policies

Public Hearing and Forums◦ Meetings where the

general public may attend to speak regarding laws and other matters

Media◦ Most common◦ TV, Radio,

Newspapers & magazines

The government also plays a role in keeping citizens informed◦ Press releases are

statements released to the public through the media

◦ Internet websites◦ Accessibility of public

officials/gov’t publications◦ Political Debates◦ Franking Privilege

Gov’t officials may send out newsletters or respond to letters for free by mail

◦ Special Task Force

Interest Groups Economic Interest Groups

◦ Promote economic or business interests

◦ Largest is the Chamber of Commerce

Public Interest Groups◦ Promote moral causes,

rather than economic concerns

◦ Support causes that affect the lives of American people Environmental groups

Single Interest Groups◦ Represent only a

specific group◦ AARP, Veterans of

Foreign Wars, PETA

Think TanksThink Tanks are

organizations established to research, study or provide advice about important issues◦ Often connected

to Universities◦ Provide

information to gov’t leaders with opinions on economics, sociology, foreign policy, etc.

Graphic Organizer

EQ: Explain the various types of government agencies as well as how citizens can stay informed and participate in government?

REFLECTION

What are some of the roles that regulatory commissions and independent agencies play in the implementation and enforcement of laws?

What were some of the federal law enforcement agencies that we learned about today that are tasked with enforcing laws?

What were some of the state law enforcement agencies that we learned about today that are tasked with enforcing laws?

What were some of the local law enforcement agencies that we learned about today that are tasked with enforcing laws?

What can citizens do to stay informed? What can the government do to keep citizens

informed? What is the difference between economic interest

groups, public interests groups, and single interest groups?

What role does “Think Tanks” play in developing and enforcing policies?

Closing ?Do you think it is fair that citizens

are held accountable to obey a law, even if they didn’t know it existed?