CIVICS IN PRACTICE

HOLT

Chapter 11

The Political System

Section 1: Shaping Public Opinion
Section 2: Interest Groups
Section 3: Taking Part in Government

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Section 1: Shaping Public Opinion

The Main Idea
Political leaders and interest groups find many ways to
shape public opinion and influence the beliefs of
American citizens.
Reading Focus
What is public opinion, and how is it shaped?
What is propaganda, and what are six common
propaganda techniques?
How is public opinion measured?
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Section 1: Shaping Public Opinion

Peoples opinions are influenced by

Family, friends, teachers, and clubs.
Information from mass media: television,

newspapers, magazines, radio, and the

Internet.

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Section 1: Shaping Public Opinion

The importance of staying informed

Democracy requires informed citizens.
Well-informed citizens must recognize

differences between facts and opinions.

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Section 1: Shaping Public Opinion

Propaganda
Propaganda is ideas spread to influence public

opinion, consumers, and voters.

Mass media and communications technology
enable the spread of propaganda.

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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
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Section 1: Shaping Public Opinion

Propaganda methods:
Concealed propaganda attempts to fool people.
Revealed propaganda makes people aware that

it is trying to influence them.

Propaganda techniques: bandwagon, card
stacking, glittering generalities, name-calling,
plain-folks appeal, and testimonials
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Section 1: Shaping Public Opinion

Measurements of public opinion:

Elections
Polls or surveystake opinions of samples

of population
Wording of polls, number of responses and the

sample population influence the outcome of polls.

Polls may also influence public opinion.
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SECTION 1

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

Question: How is public opinion measured?

Measuring Public Opinion

elections

polls

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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

Section 2: Interest Groups

The Main Idea
Interest groups work to persuade the government to
adopt particular policies and address specific issues.
Reading Focus
What are interest groups, and what are the different
types of interest groups?
How do lobbyists try to influence government and
public opinion?
Do interest groups have too much power?
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Section 2: Interest Groups

Interest Groups
Organizations that seek to influence

government policy
Also known as pressure groups or lobbies
Lobbies do not seek to influence elections like
the political parties do.
Lobbies may represent economic interests,
social interests, or general public interest.
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Section 2: Interest Groups

Different types of interest groups:

Business associations, labor unions, farm

organizations, veterans organizations,

teachers associations, and consumer groups
Public interest groups

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Section 2: Interest Groups

Criticism of interest groups:

Interest groups are too involved in

lawmaking.
Well-funded and organized groups receive too
much attention; other interests are not equally
represented.
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Section 2: Interest Groups

How do lobbyists try to influence opinion?

Propose, research, and help write bills for

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Congress
Testify at committee hearings and may present
evidence
Supply lawmakers with information
Advertise in the mass media
Supply workers and funds to election campaigns
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Question: How do lobbyists try to influence

government and public opinion?
How Lobbyists Influence Opinions

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Argue for or against legislation

Ask congressmembers to sponsor bills
Supply information, help write bills
Testify at hearings
Advertise
Provide workers and contributors for candidates
Urge people to contact public officials

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Section 3: Taking Part in Government

The Main Idea
Americans can participate in government by voting and
speaking out on the issues that matter to them.
Reading Focus
What are the four ways that all citizens can participate
in government?
Why is voting important, and why do so few U.S.
citizens vote?
How do volunteers and interest groups help political
campaigns?
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Section 3: Taking Part in Government

Four ways of participating in

government:
Vote in local, state, and national elections
Work for political parties
Speak out on public issues
Work to improve our communities

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Section 3: Taking Part in Government

Voting
A right and a responsibility
Expresses our opinions about our leaders and their
policies
U.S. voter turnout is one of the lowest in the world.
Apathy, failure to register, illness, dissatisfaction
with the candidates, location, and residency
requirements contribute to poor voter turn-out.
The 1916 and 2000 elections demonstrate the
importance of every vote.

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Section 3: Taking Part in Government

Volunteers and interest groups help

political campaigns through:
Telephone and door-to-door campaigning
Distribution of literature on the street
Mailings
Interest groups provide volunteers and funds via

political action committees.

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SECTION 3

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Question: What are five ways that citizens can

participate in government?
How Citizens Can Participate in
Government
voting

speaking out
on issues
contacting
public officials

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working for a
political party

volunteering in
the community

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Chapter11WrapUp
1. Howdoestheuseofpropagandadifferin
totalitariansocietiesanddemocraticsocieties?
2. Whatisthepurposeofpolls?Whymustpollsuse
representativesamples?
3. Howdointerestgroupsdifferfrompoliticalparties?
4. Identifywaysthatlobbyiststrytoinfluencepublic
policyandopinion.
5. Howcancitizenstakepartyinthepoliticalsystem?
6. Whyisvotingimportant?WhydosofewAmericans
vote?
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