Public Policy and Section Assessment

Chapter 9 Section 1 p. 240 Section Assessment 1-4 1. What is a public policy? A public policy is a goal a government creates and accomplishes them. 2. List and describe the three main ideas in which political parties and interest groups differ. Political parties focus on nominations, on their goals and on their interests. Interest groups may favor a candidate, but the political party is in charge of the nominations. The political party is more concerned about the person who will be in charge of the government rather than the policies the government will create. . (a) How do interest groups stimulate interest in public affairs? They promote policies they favor and oppose those they fear as threats to their concerns. (b) Name at least three additional functions of interest groups. They unite with other people around the country to promote their concern. They provide detailed information to the government to address their concerns. They act as check-and-balances for the political proces s. 4. On what bases are interest groups often criticized? Some interest schools do not represent all the views they claim to speak.They can also use tactics to undermine the political system. They may also not represent all the people they claim to represent. Chapter 9 Section 2 p. 247 Section Assessment 2-4 2. (a) What are the four major types of economically based interest groups? Business, Labor, Agricultural, and Professional (b) List an example of a major type. A major type of organization is the American Medical Association, which focuses on the concerns of doctors. (c) How does a trade association differ from a labor union?A trade association is an interest group for business, while labor unions are interest group for workers that work in the same industry. Chapter 9 Section 3 p. 254 Section Assessment 1-4, & p. 257 1. For what three reasons do interest groups reach out to the public? They reach out to the public to share information that is necessary for the people to know. Also, they reach out to the public to impose a positive image on their interest group. Finally, they do so to encourage a public policy to be passed. 2. (a) Why do interest groups use propaganda?They use propaganda to influence the behavior and belief of people. (b) Identify at least three major propaganda techniques. They use bandwagon, which is when people are encouraged to take an action because everyone else is doing so. The plain-folks approach is where people must follow an action because it pretends to be one of the common people. Finally, the name-calling is where the opposing policy by calling negative nicknames to them to influence the views of people towards them. 3. (a) Why do interest groups try to influence political parties?Interest groups influence political parties in order to gain support for the passing of their public policies when the candidate of a political party holds office in the government. (b) What is a single-interest group? This group focuses on one par ticular issue and creates public policies concerning it. 4. How is lobbying used to influence public policy? Lobbying is used to influence public policy by pressuring legislators to bear aspects of the public policy-making process. Analyzing Political Cartoons 28 & 29 28. (a) What does the building in the cartoon represent?The building represent the government and the public policies made for the people. (b) What is the source of the words on the building? All the citizens of the United States have the right to represent themselves in the government. 29. What is the cartoon saying about the influence of special-interest groups on the political process? Interest groups have a great impact on the government’s public policies. Only those who are great in numbers can cause an influence in the government. Individuals must form into interest-groups in order to have a voice in the government.