L & J Test Review Chapter 19

The Framers of the Constitution sought to create a representative democracy that would meet two goals. The first was to provide for popular rule—to give the people an active voice in government. The people were supposed to have control over the lawmakers who represented them. The Framers' second goal was to insulate government from the shifting whims of an ill-informed public.

2 goals the framers of the constitution wanted to meet by creating a representative democracy

yes; these people advocate for the interest group in which they are a part of

Do you think all professional lobbyist believe in the causes of the interest groups that they represent?

Interest groups help bridge the gap between people and the government. Through interest groups, people communicate their "wants," or policy goals, to government leaders, such as the president, Congress, city council, or state legislators. When lawmakers begin to address the vital concerns of an interest group, its members swing into action. Interest groups also act as watchdogs and protest government policies that harm their members.

How are individuals able to influence government actions through participation in interest groups?

Digital media have offered new opportunities for seeking support and attempting to wield influence. Nearly all interest groups have websites and a presence on social media through which they can disseminate information and attempt to influence policy.

How have digital media affected the way interest groups operate?

Candidates for office use polls to help them decide where to campaign and where to advertise most heavily. Polls may also help them shape their messages.

How might a political candidate use polling data during his or her campaign?

interest groups, opinion polls, letters and e-mails from constituents, and social networking

If public officials were unable to communicate with the American people, what might they use as a basis for making policy decision?

to protect or promote economic self-interest; to get beliefs translated into policy or into direct action to help others; socializing promotes a group unity that is vital to achieving political goals

List three reasons why individuals tend to join interest groups?

In the 2004 election, a new kind of political influence group appeared: the 527 organization, named for the part of the tax code that gives an exemption to certain groups. While these groups can have a PAC wing, the term is usually defined as a group that does not directly urge citizens to vote for a specific candidate. Instead they focus on advocating an issue. For example, they may advocate for tax reform rather than advocate for a specific candidate who supports tax reform. The issue may be associated with a candidate, but by avoiding any mention of a candidate, 527s escape regulation.

What are 527 organizations and how do they get involved in political campaigns?

Scientific polling involves three basic steps: selecting a sample of the group to be questioned, presenting carefully worded questions to the individuals in the sample, and interpreting the results.

What are the three basic steps involved in scientific polling?

lobbying and PACs

What are two ways interest groups can exercise power over political candidates?

*Interest groups and lobbying are protected by the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution -Right to petition the government for redress of grievances --the right to make a complaint to, or seek the assistance of, one's government, without fear of punishment or reprisals -Because lobbying is protected by the Constitution, it can't be outlawed and there are limits to how much it can be regulated.

What is the relationship between participation in interest groups and the First Amendment?

internet (Twitter, Facebook, other social networking sites), email, etc.

What media resources could a citizen use to react very quickly to an issue or event?

They can be categorized according to the size of their membership, their methods, or their goals. Most interest groups fall into one of the following categories. Some may even fall into two or more categories.

What the different ways that interest groups can be categorized?

The Internet, television, radio, newspapers, magazines, movies, and books—the mass media—play an important role in political socialization. Both the Internet and television provide political information and images that can directly influence political attitudes.

Why does mass media have a greater impact on political socialization today than at any other time in history?

Feelings of political efficacy are vital in a democracy. Without citizen participation, democracies would be unable to realize the concept of government "of the people, by the people, and for the people."

Why is it important for citizens of democracy to act upon their feelings of political efficacy?

political advocacy efforts carried out by the general public and members of interest groups, sometimes under the guidance of their professional lobbyists

grassroots lobbying

a group of people who share common goals and organize to influence government and policy.

interest groups

direct contact made by lobbyists to persuade government officials to support the policies their interest groups favor

lobby

An individual's close friends, religious group, clubs, and work groups—called peer groups—are yet another factor in the political socialization process. A person's peer groups often influence and shape opinions. For example, a member of a labor union whose closest friends belong to the same union is likely to have political opinions similar to theirs.

peer pressure

a person's belief that he or she can have an impact on government and policy

political efficacy

a process by which individuals learn their political beliefs and attitudes from family, school, friends, coworkers, and other sources

political socialization

a type of interest group whose members focus their work on influencing policies that they believe affect the general public, not just themselves

public interest group

the ideas and attitudes that a significant number of Americans hold about government and political issues

public opinion

a technique in which everyone in a group has an equal chance of being selected

random sampling

a small group of people who are typical of the larger group being studied

representative sample

an unscientific attempt to measure public opinion

straw poll

the group of people that is to be studied

universe