Unit 6 Govt

Public Opinion

Views shared by a segment of society on issues of interest or concern

Political Socialization

Process by which people form their political values, beliefs, and opinions

Polling process

The most reliable effort of public opinion

Interest Group

People who hold similar views or goals

Lobbyists

Exist at every level or govt

PAC

Organization created to raise and contribute money legally to the campaigns of political candidates who agree with the interest group’s position on issues

Political Parties

Organization that tries to elect its members to public office so that its views can become public policy

Platform

Each party has basic set or ides and goals about society and the role of govt

Federalists

Strong Central govt & manufacturing

Primaries

Closed (only one party is allowed) or Opens (to all parties

Types of Interest Groups

Agricultural Groups

Business Groups

Labor unions

Cause-based Groups

Societal Groups

Professional Groups

Helps run the govt

Majority in house of Congress and the President

The Great Shift of 1930s

Parties switched platforms in 1930s during the Great Depression

Requirements for Voting

US citizen, 18 years old, and Resident of state where voting (absentee ballot)

The Voters influences

Party, Issues, Candidate’s background, and Voter’s background