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Elections and Campaigns

Shaping Public Opinion through Interest Groups, Propaganda Techniques, and advertising

Public Opinion: Total of the opinions held concerning a particular issue

Shaped by family values, friends, neighborhood…

Polling Data’s Role

Role of Media

Propaganda

What is Public Opinion?

Testimonials: Endorsements of person/idea Bandwagon: Follow the others/peer

pressure Name Calling: Unpleasant labels or

descriptions Glittering Generalities: Vague statements

that have little real meaning (i.e. use of freedom and patriotism)

Plain-Folks Appeal: Understand average American

Card Stacking: Facts that support only one side

Types of Propaganda

Interest Groups: Organizations with common interest that try to influence policies (also known as a lobby group)

Lobbyist: person who is paid by group to represent that group’s interests (must disclose who they work for)

Impacts: Policies in Congress, Advertisements, Promotion of Public Ideas, etc.

Interest Groups & Lobbyists