Political Parties, Political Parties, Interest Groups, & the Interest Groups, & the Media Media American Government Content Statement #2: Political parties, interest groups and the media provide opportunities for civic involvement through various means.
Political Parties, Interest Groups, & the Media American Government Content Statement #2: Political parties, interest groups and the media provide opportunities.
Dec 15, 2015
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Political Parties, Interest Political Parties, Interest Groups, & the MediaGroups, & the Media
American Government Content Statement #2:Political parties, interest groups and the media provide opportunities for civic involvement through various means.
What is a political party?What is a political party?
Organization whose members hold similar views on public issues
Seek to determine public policy through winning of elections & having members hold public office
What do political parties What do political parties do?do?
Nominate candidatesRally supportersParticipate in governmentMake sure
officeholders/members are successful
Watchdog over “the other party”
Two-Party SystemTwo-Party System
Dominant political system in the United States
Republicans & Democrats
Characteristics of the Characteristics of the Republican Party (GOP)Republican Party (GOP)
Favor private market forces in the economy (laissez faire)
Believe Federal Government should be less involved in social welfare programs
Small governmentConservative social views
Grand Old PartyGrand Old Party[They define] themselves as the
party of first principles, that is, the original American values and models — individualism, pioneering spirit, free enterprise, anti-centralism and anti-bureaucracy, family values and neighborly spirit etc.
Model their views after Abraham Lincoln
Famous RepublicansFamous Republicans
Newt GingrichRush Limbaugh John BoehnerRonald Reagan Arnold
SchwarzeneggerRudolph GiulianiTed Nugent
Characteristics of the Characteristics of the Democratic PartyDemocratic Party
Support social welfare programsFavor government regulation of
business practicesSupport efforts to improve status of
minoritiesBig governmentLiberal social & political views
Democratic PartyDemocratic PartyThey define themselves:
◦ For over 200 years, Democrats have stood for the idea that wealth and status should not be an entitlement to rule. Democrats recognize that our country and our economy are strongest when they provide opportunity for all Americans—when we grow our country from the bottom up.
◦ Democrats stand for an abiding faith in the judgment of hardworking American families, and a commitment to helping the excluded, the disenfranchised and the poor strengthen our nation by earning themselves a piece of the American Dream. We remember that our country was sculpted by immigrants and slaves, their children and grandchildren. Even today, it is our diversity above all else
that provides us with our enduring strength. Model their views after Andrew Jackson
Famous DemocratsFamous Democrats
Bruce Springsteen
Barack Obama Hillary ClintonTed Kennedy Al GoreJohn StewartF.D.R.
Differences between the PartiesThe following video clips are intended
as a comical view on both political parties and should not, in any way be taken seriously or literally.
Additionally, these clips do not in any way represent the beliefs of any Mayfield High School staff member or Mayfield High School as a whole.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/27/the-daily-show-explains-republicans-democrats_n_939020.html
What is a Radical?What is a Radical? Seen as being on the far left of
the political spectrum, radicals call for wide-sweeping rapid change in the basic structure of the political, social, or economic system.
They may be willing to resort to extreme methods to bring about change, including the use of violence and revolution.
What is a Liberal?What is a Liberal?Liberals believe that the
government should be actively involved in the promotion of social welfare of a nation’s citizens.
They usually call for peaceful, gradual change within the existing political system.
They reject violent revolution as a way of changing the way things are, often called the status quo.
What is a Moderate?What is a Moderate?Moderates may share viewpoints
with both liberals and conservatives.
They are seen as tolerant of other people’s views, and they do not hold extreme views of their own.
They advocate a “go-slow” or “wait-and-see” approach to social or political change.
What is a Conservative?What is a Conservative?People who hold conservative ideals
favor keeping things the way they are or maintaining the status quo if it is what they desire.
Conservatives are usually hesitant or cautious about adopting new policies, especially if they involve government activism in some way.
They feel that the less government there is, the better.
They agree with Jefferson’s view that “the best government governs least.”
What is a Reactionary?What is a Reactionary?Sitting on the far right of the
ideological spectrum, reactionaries want to go back to the way things were—the “good ol’ days.” Often reactionaries are willing to use extreme methods, such as repressive use of government power, to achieve their goals.
The term “reactionary is generally negative. A positive way to say the same thing is “arch-conservative.”
Comparison Chart
Roles of Third PartiesRoles of Third PartiesKeep major parties in checkCall attention to controversial
issues that major parties may notMay also rally around a specific
issueActs as a ‘spoiler’ during
elections
Third Party CandidatesThird Party Candidates George Wallace – Presidential candidate 1968
Ross Perot – Presidential candidate in 1992 and 1996
Ralph Nader – Presidential candidate 2004
Ken Lanci – Cuyahoga Council (newly created office) candidate in 2010
The Tea PartyThe Tea PartyGrassroots movement to “give the
power of the government back to the people”
NOT a political party…rather extreme conservatives hoping to secure Republican candidate nomination
Michele Bachmann isfront-runner candidate
http://theteaparty.net/inner.asp?z=40
Third PartiesThird Parties Libertarian Party - total individual liberty
(pro-drug legalization, pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, pro-home schooling, pro-gun rights, etc.) and total economic freedom (anti-welfare, anti-government regulation of business, anti-minimum wage, anti-income tax, pro-free trade)
Green Party of the United States - Committed to environmentalism, non-violence, social justice and grassroots organizing
Constitution Party - strongly pro-life, anti-gun control, anti-tax, anti-immigration, trade protectionist, "anti-New World Order," anti-United Nations, anti-gay rights, anti-welfare, and pro-school prayer.
http://politics1.com/parties.htm
What is an Interest Group?An organization whose members
hold similar views on public issues
Seek to influence the making & execution of public policy
Through engaging in political and public policy processes
How Do They Differ From Political Parties?Interest Groups DON’T
◦nominate candidates◦Focus on winning elections◦Concern themselves with a broad
range of issues
Benefits of Interest GroupsStimulate interest in public affairsServe as a vehicle for
participation in the political process
Health Care Advocacy Group Leads Protest Over
Governor's Proposed Cuts
Criticisms of Interest GroupsHaving influence
disproportionate to their sizeOccasionally use unethical tactics
Types of Interest GroupsMost people belong to several
organizations defined as an interest group
Most represent economic interests Business, labor, agriculture, certain professions
Some are devoted to social and political causes, religious interests, or the welfare of a certain segment of the population
Public-interest groups work for some aspect of the public good
List of interest groups by type: http://faculty.ucc.edu/egh-damerow/interest_groups1.htm
What do Interest Groups do?
Supply the public with information favorable to the group’s cause
Work to build a positive image for the group
Promote the group’s policies
Frequently use propaganda to achieve their goals
Citizens United v. FEC Citizens United v. FEC (2010)(2010)Political spending is a form of
protected speech under the First Amendment
The government may not keep corporations or unions from spending money to support or denounce individual candidates in elections.
Impact of Citizens UnitedImpact of Citizens United Super PAC’s can be
created They may raise
unlimited funds They do not need to
disclose where they got their money from
They can spend their money supporting or opposing any candidate they wish as long as their money isn’t directly given to the
candidate
Lobbyists – Who they are…Lobbying is the process of persuading
public officials to take actions favorable to a given organized group.
Lobbyists are usually paid employees or hired hands for an interest group. They have access to public officials and present the concerns, agenda, and needs of the interest group.
Lobbyists – What they do…Access is the most
important advantage which lobbyists have over ordinary people.
Lobbyists build up rapport with public officials over years, often decades.
Having the elected official as a college buddy, former business associate, or family member certainly helps.
Fortune Power 25 – Most Influential Interest Groups in Washington National Rifle Association of America- Gun Ownership AARP- Senior Citizens National Federation of Independent Business- Small and
Independent Businesses American Israel Public Affairs Committee- Pro-Israel
Policy American Association for Justice- Lawyers AFL-CIO- Union Leadership Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America-
Big Business National Beer Wholesalers Association- Alcohol National Association of Realtors- Real Estate National Association of Manufacturers- Industrial
Business National Association of Home Builders of the United
States- Home Construction American Medical Association- Doctors American Hospital Association- Hospitals
Fortune Power 25 (continued)
National Education Association of the United States- Education
American Farm Bureau Federation- Agriculture Motion Picture Association of America- Movies National Association of Broadcasters- TV and Radio
Broadcasters National Right to Life Committee- Pro-Life Policy Health Insurance Association of America- Health
Insurance National Restaurant Association- Restaurant National Governors' Association- Governors Recording Industry Association of America- Musicians American Bankers Association- Banking and Lending Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of
America- Pharmaceuticals International Brotherhood of Teamsters- Blue-Collar
Labor
Lobbyists /
Lobbying Firms
Political Action
Committees
Media in PoliticsMedia in PoliticsUse of various means of mass
communication with different audiences◦print (books, magazines, and newspapers)
Even a sign someone is holding during a rally or demonstration
◦Recordings◦Cinema◦Radio◦Television◦Internet◦Mobile (Smartphones, IPads, Tablet PCs)
Media in Politics (cont.)Media in Politics (cont.)Used heavily by political parties
& interest groups ◦influence the political and public
policy process◦Help to set public agenda
Societal problems political leaders & citizens agree need government attention
◦Plays a central role in electoral politics
Media InfluenceMedia InfluenceLimited
Many people use mass media for entertainment & not information
Few people follow international, national, or local politics closely
Those who do are selective Pay attention to sources that generally agree
with their viewpoints (liberal vs. conservative)
Newspapers and Newspapers and TelevisionTelevisionConservative Liberal
The Washington Times - Politics, US and World News
LA Times
The Washington Examiner - Washington DC Political News
Washington Post
The New York Post - Gossip, Sports, Entertainment and More
New York Times
The Wall Street Journal - Business and Financial News
USA Today
FOX News MSNBC
Examples of Media BiasExamples of Media Biashttp://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=YxAO7cH-xrE◦Palin-Couric Interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=km5taefMCRE◦Couric explains interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvF0slEXuS0
Bill O’Reilly Interviews Sarah Palin
How Parties and Interest How Parties and Interest Groups Influence the PublicGroups Influence the Public
Using the media to enforce or introduce ideas or various perspectives
Can come from newspapers, magazines, radio and TV commercials, internet sites and advertisements, and other print sources, i.e. sides of buses
Card StackingCard Stacking
Deliberate action is taken to bias an argument
Opposing evidence being buried or discredited
The case for one's own position is exaggerated at every
opportunity
Plain FolkPlain FolkMake the leaders look just like
mom'n'pop-style 'plain folks‘ through dress, speech and action◦i.e. video footage of politicians going
grocery shopping or jogging◦When politicians go campaigning
they tend to dress like the people they are trying to win the votes of
TestimonialTestimonialIf your words might lack credibility
in some way, borrow the credibility of others by getting the testimony of trusted others.◦Pop culture celebrities endorsing a
political candidate or issue◦Professionals or experts in their field
speaking out on behalf of an issue or candidate
What Types of Messages are What Types of Messages are SentSent
Logical argument - sensible point of view supporting an idea
Ad hominem attack - attacks a person rather than answer arguments about an issue
Positive Image - focusing solely on the positive aspects of person or issue
Examples Examples http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8ZD9RcC8P0 –Star Wars
Immunization http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B74xrOEzn0 -LA Department of Public
Health Vaccinations http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wIRajc8JQY -OH Right to Life's anti-
Obama ad http://vegetarianstar.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/
paul_mccartney_veg_ad.jpg -Paul McCartney http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io9KMSSEZ0Y -Willie Horton 1988
Attack Ad http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOrmOvHysdU -John McCain Celebrity
Ad http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBghTL4CPoE –Anti-McCain ad http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq41LgVeMSo -Anti Sarah Palin
Campaign http://www.methproject.org/ads/print/15bucks.html -Montana Meth Project http://www.methproject.org/ads/tv/tracy.html -Montana Meth Project video
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