Written Assignment 4

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Thomas Edison State College *

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110

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Political Science

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Apr 3, 2024

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docx

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3

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1. Interest groups attempt to influence politicians and public policy in a variety of ways. Define the term interest group , distinguishing it from a political party, and briefly describe some of the ways interest groups seek influence. [MO4.1, MO4.2] 1. Interest group is a formal association of individuals that attempt to influence politicians, policies, policy making, and the government. This is different than a political party which attempts to directly control the government by appointing members to get elected into public office. 2. They try to seek influence by lobbying, or represent their interest to a government official. 2. Discuss the differences between public and private interest groups. Which areas does each try to influence, and why? From which sources does each of these groups receive the funds needed to function? [MO4.1, MO4.2] 1. The difference is the type of benefit they are trying to receive from the government. A Private Interest group is attempting to gain some benefit for private goods, such as a narrow interest for a particular company or good. A Public Interest group is attempting to gain some benefit for a public good such as electricity, healthcare, education, etc. 3. Through inside lobbying, groups seek to gain direct access to officials in order to influence their decisions. Describe key elements and tactics of the process of inside lobbying. Define outside lobbying . Who is involved, and who are the targets? What tactics are used, and what relationship is there with elections? [MO4.1, MO4.2] 1. Key elements include testifying for and helping draft legislature as well as contacting executive agencies to help convince them to support their particular interest. Some “less common” tactics include influencing government appointments or “providing favors. 2. Outside Lobbying is where an interest group attempts to indirectly influence policy by convincing the public. They do this through press, tours, articles and contacting group members. 4. Political action committees (PACs) are the financial arm of interest groups. Discuss PACs and super PACs. Discuss some of the controversies surrounding PACs. [MO4.1, MO4.2] 1. PACs are a form of interest group that collects funds from donors and distribute them to candidates that support the interest of the PAC. Super PAC are PACs through which corporations and unions can spend unlimited amounts of money on behalf of political candidates compared to the limited $5,000 of PACs. 2. A major controversy around Super PACs is the Citizens United v FEC , which the Supreme Court stated that it could not restrict the amount of money spent by an interest group as money spending is tantamount to speech and thus restricting it would be restricting the First Amendment. Though Super PACs can not directly fund a candidate, this decision allowed interest groups unlimited spending to support a candidate through target ads and spending as long as it did not directly contribute to the candidate. 5. Define a pluralist approach to group theory and the elite critique. [MO4.1, MO4.2] 1. The pluralist approach to group theory suggests that interest groups rather than individuals determine policy. Since the interest group has more financial backing than an individual, the interest groups have a larger sway over a politician and
agency. Many scholars say that this creates an opportunity where the wealthy can influence these groups and thus have a disproportionate influence on politics. 6. Summarize the historical development of the news media from the nation’s founding to today. What has been happening to the news audience and the news media in recent years, and how has that affected the information levels of the American public? Why is it important for citizens to be attentive and informed? [MO4.3] 1. News media began as Print. The largest hurdle to widespread news was the cost of printing, however with the advent of machines and manufacturing, this cost was significantly reduced leading to the spread of the newspaper. Then in the early 1900s, the radio became widespread. The led to the creating of radio broadcasting companies and news began to occur over air. Even the president, Roosevelt, used the radio to speak to the public through his “Fire Side Chats.” Then in the 1950s, television began to take over. Network news and television journalism gained popularity. This held true until the invention of the internet and social media. Audiences can now avoid the news quite easily in favor of entertainment, which has led to Soft News: news that is presented in an entertaining way. 2. The American Public gained tons of political literacy and information with the advent of the radio and television, however with the internet and TV, entertainment was more sought after than news. This led to a slight decline in information levels. With social media and apps that create addictive and non- editorialized forms of entertainment like TikTok, Buzzfeed, and YouTube, misinformation and disinformation are huge obstacles to maintaining a well- informed public. 3. It is important to be attentive and informed because of the prolific use of mis- and dis-information. Political parties can covertly use dis-information and actively use mis-information to sway those without critical thinking and critical analysis skills to vote for them or donate to them. This leads to citizens voting in direct opposition of their own good. 7. Define and explain the media functions of agenda setting, promoting the public good , and watchdogs . Why is the media referred to as the fourth estate, and what are the other three? Explain your answer. [MO4.3] 1. Agenda setting is the act of choosing which issues or topics deserve public discussion. Promoting the public good is offering a media platform by which public debate and improving citizen awareness are possible. Watchdog is a person or organization that oversees and reports on society and public officials. The media is referred to as the Fourth Estate since it is able to report of the government to the people which can sway public opinion and affect the government and the policies it enacts. The other three are the three branches of government: Executive, Legislative, Judicial. 8. Discuss divided government. Does redistricting have any effect? What is gerrymandering? [MO4.3] 1. Divided government is where the executive and legislative branches of the government are affiliated with different political parties. Gerrymandering is the practice of redistricting to ensure a certain political party will maintain or win its
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