AP Government Chapter 7 and 10

Investigative Journalism

Reporters dig up stories looking for wrongdoing (muckrakers)

Federal Communications Commission

Regulates the airwaves (broadcasting)

Federal Trade Commission

Regulates commercials and ads (commerce)

Interest Group

Organization of people who come together with the goal of getting specific policies they favor passed

Iron Triangles

Mutually beneficial association of the bureaucratic agencies (administer policy), congressional committees (make policy) and interest groups (want policy), working in a specific policy area for self interest

Issue Networks

A temporary association of bureaucratic agencies, congressional committees, and interest groups formed to address a specific policy

Public Interest Groups

Advocate for a broad group of individuals, not necessarily just members, to provide collective goods like cleain air

Amicus curiae brief

(Friend of the court) - written arguments by groups that are not a party of the case to provide additional info to the court

Revolving door

Formal federal employees become lobbyists/consultants for interest groups and have greater access/influence and make more $

Media's key function in its gatekeeper/watchdog role

Agenda setting: highlighting certain issues they deem are important and worthy of the public's attention

Current relationship between reporters and presidents

Reporters now mistrust the Pres., treat him with skepticism and cynicism. Vice versa

2 events that changed the cozy relationship btwn politicians and the press

Vietnam (Pentagon Papers) and Watergate

How did the Nixon-Kennedy debate show the power of television?

Kennedy looked better than Nixon on the TV, so he won the debate and election - even though Nixon had a better argument verbally

Perceived bias of news in the mainstream media

Perception of liberal bias in mainstream media; reporters are generally more liberal than the public

What has happened to the public's trust in the media in recent years?

Declined drastically; too biased

"Fake news" and its effect on Americans

Inaccurate, poorly researched, biased or satirical programs. Americans must be diligent in researching facts.

What does social media allow politicians and citizens to do?

To bypass mainstream media and communicate directly with the people/politicians

Large Extent - how do media outlets define news?

They determine how it's presented and decide what issues to cover/ignore. Key function as gatekeeper/watchdog (agenda setting)

Why is media consolidation a problem?

When a small number of large corporations acquire a majority of newspapers, television stations, and digital platforms. Harmful bc reduces diverse viewpoints, vulnerable to political/corporate pressure

Media is so important in gov. it's sometimes referred to as…

The fourth branch of government

Bottom line that drives the way the meda operates

Profit, attracting audiences - leads to focus on drama/entertainment rather than substantial news

Horse-race journalism

Campaign coverage focused on popularity and who's winning, rather than qualifications or platforms. Emphasizes scandals, missteps, gaffs

Economic Groups

Advocate for the financial interests of members (economic category)

Business groups

Advocate for policies that favor corporate interests

Labor groups

Advocate for policies to benefit trade unions and workers

Agriculture Groups

Advocate for policies to support subsidies, trade policies, etc

Equality Groups

Group with equal rights as their main policy goal

Professional Organizations

The American Bar Assocation, the National Association of Realtors

Collective goods groups

Focus on issues that benefit non-members as well

Government Interest Groups

Representing state and local governments concerned with laws, regulations and obtaining federal grant $

James Madison's definition of faction (Federalist 10)

"A majority or a minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion or interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community."

American political parties vs. Interest Groups

Political Parties are GENERALISTS, interest groups are SPECIALISTS

3 Theories of interest group formation in the US American Democracy

Participatory, Pluralist, Elite

Participatory Democratic Theory

Widespread political participation in gov. is essential

Pluralist Theory

Distribution of political power among many groups, no one group dominating. Large republics lessens the "mischief of factions" (Fed. 10) - Madison's fav

Elite Theory

Wealthy elite have a disproportionate amount of power

Largest category of interest groups

Economic groups, advocate for the financial interests of members

Free-Rider Problem

Groups provide collective goods (or public goods) that can't be withheld from non-group members (ex. clean air, higher minimum wage). Therefore, free riders (ppl who benefit w/o joining and providing financial support)

How interest groups fight the free-rider problem

By giving selective benefits - available only to those who join and pay their dues (i.e travel benefits, discounts, group insurance rates)

Collective Goods

Something of value that can't be withheld from non-group members. Ex - clean air, higher min. wage

4 basic tactics employed by interest groups

Lobbying, Electioneering, Litigation, Forming Alliances

Lobbying

Interacting with government officials to advance the group's public policy goals ($ thru PACs, grassroots lobbying)

Electioneering

Support candidates by providing $ and mobilizing voters

Litigation

challenging interpretation of laws (e.g NAACP in Brown v Board of Education) Amicus curia briefs

Forming Alliances

Iron Triangles and Issue Networks

The vehicle used by interest groups seeking to exert influence on the electoral process and honestly give money to campaigns.

Political Action Committees (PACs)

Main reason interest groups raise money and provide information to politicians

To gain access and influence public policy

Single Issue Groups

Groups that have a narrow interest, tend to dislike compromise. Ex: MADD - Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or NRA - National Rifle Association