Transcript Interest Groups and Political Action

Warm Up
• Initiatives and referendums are both potential
laws and both allow the for citizens to have
input, but WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
• How is the number of electoral votes for each
state determined? Give me an example.
3.6
• Identify how interest groups
(lobbyists) affect law making
and public opinion.
Interest Groups and Political
Action
3.3
•
Funding Campaigns
– Private Funds- money from individuals,
corporations, or fundraisers
1. Interest Groups – Group of citizens coming together to
effect public policy
–
Protected by 1st Amendment
2. Political Action Committees (PACs)- interest groups
that try to elect candidates
– Public Funds- government helps by matching funds
raised but has limits
• Soft money- unlimited money used to
support particular side/view point (but not
specific candidate
–
Ex: Swift Boat Vets, MoveOn.org
Types of Interest Groups
1. Economic and cause-based
1. work to serve just their constituents
1. Ex: National Rifle Association, PETA, Chamber
of Commerce
2. Labor Unions- workers of the same trade
who work to get better pay, conditions,
benefits
3. Public Interest Groups- support causes that
affect Americans in general
Lobbyists
• Lobbyist: a person who tries to influence a
government official to think one way or the
other.
• What is the artist trying to convey about
Lobbyists?
II. Political Advocacy (support for issues)
A. Lobbying- used by interest groups
1. ex: tobacco lobbyist get friendlier smoking laws
B. Activism- political action to make a change
C. Litigation- using courts to further cause
1. NRA stopping DC handgun law
D. Protest- ex: Bus Boycott against segregation
E. Recall- allow voters to remove an elected official
from office
Lobbyists:
How it happens.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2DUM6
jVasw
• Good or evil?
Jack Abramoff
• Take some notes
Jack Abramoff: Lobbying and Greed
• What types of techniques did Abramoff use
to get votes from congressmen?
Brainstorm
• Name a character from a popular movie,
book, video game, etc. who displays
characteristics of both a hero and a villain.
• How does this character display each?
• Write an outline of this characters actions in
the film, story, book, etc.
Lobbyist Activity
Option 1
• Create a visual
representation of your
character. Use images and
words to represent him/her
as good and evil.
• These should be colorful
and creative.
Option 2
• Create an episode of your
character’s show/movie.
• Write the story of him/her
as a lobbyist trying to
influence a law in
Washington.
Warm Up
What is your favorite commercial of all time?
What makes this your favorite?
3.7
IDENTIFY HOW MEDIA BIAS
IMPACTS PUBLIC OPINION
Prezi on propaganda
• http://prezi.com/jc_-30pe7wjk/402campaigns-propaganda/
Living Room Candidate
• http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/