Shaping Public Opinion

How do we form opinions?

Personal Background

The Mass Media Public Officials Interest Groups

I. How Interest Groups Influence Opinion A. Interest Groups – individuals who

share a point of view about an issue unite to promote their beliefs

1. Work to persuade law makers and public officials to support actions that help their cause

2. Also try to influence public opinion by educating the general public about their views.

3. There are 1000s of IGs working in the US. They can focus on a variety of topics/issues

Public Interest Economic Interests

Professional Groups

Ideological Groups

Single-Issue

EducationEnvironment Safety

BusinessLaborTrade Taxes

DoctorsLawyers Teachers

Policies focused on political or religious beliefs

ImmigrationDrunk Driving

Examples of Interest Groups

The National Rifle Association (NRA) – works to preserve law-abiding citizens’ right to buy, have and use firearms for legitimate purposes.

The Brady Campaign – works to prevent gun violence. Responsible for passing the Brady Bill in 1993, which required a 5-day waiting period and background check before someone can buy a handgun

The Sierra Club – largest and most influential environmental organization

Yosemite National Park was created after this group lobbied to Teddy Roosevelt

The AARP – works to improve the quality of life for people age 50 and older and help them with issues they face

Supported the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, which protects older Americans from being discriminated against in the work place

The American Medical Association – works to promote the art and science of medicine and to improve public health

Supported a 2009 law that banned tobacco ads within 1,000 feet of schools and playgrounds.

B. Strategies to Influence Government

1. Lobbyists – representatives of interest groups who contact lawmakers or other government officials directly

a. their job is to provide information to lawmakers

b. the goal is for the lawmaker to pass a bill that favors their cause

2. Endorsing Candidates a. During elections some IGs will endorse a

candidate. b. They choose candidate they believe will help their

cause c. The IG encourages its members to vote for that

person, donate money to the campaign and run advertisements to persuade others to vote for them

3. Donating to Candidates

a. IGs donate money to political campaigns in exchange for support by the candidate

Can anyone see a potential problem with this?

b. There are strict rules about how IGs may collect and donate money

c. If an IG wants to donate money they must form a PAC (Political Action Committee) – organization set up to collect money for a specific candidate (up to $5000)

1). Because there are so many restrictions on PACs and Private Funding, Congress allows political parties to raise…

2). soft money - unlimited money for general party purposes, cannot go to a particular candidate