Dr. Tabakian’s Political Science 1 US Government – Spring 2013

Power Point Presentation #5

COURSE LECTURE TOPICS

• Condition Of America’s Masses

• Attitudes Of America’s Masses

• Intolerance Toward Unpopular Groups

• Elite – Mass Communication

• Political Functions Of Mass Media

MASSES IN AMERICA

Condition Of America’s Masses Is Increasingly Unequal

• Growth in international trade is the principle cause of

increasing inequality in America.

• Deunionization contributes to the mass condition of

inequality.

• Wealth is even more unequally distributed than income.

• Even though family income has been rising, real wages in

America have been declining.

• Unskilled and semiskilled workers are suffering most.

DISTRUST & CYNICISM

The Attitudes of America’s Masses are Increasingly Distrusting and

Cynical.

1. It is caused by disrespect of governmental and political authority.

2. The global economy has disrupted lives of many people.

There are changes in the political process.

1. Dealignment shows a decline in party loyalty.

2. Television has replaced parties in politics.

3. There is increasingly professional politics.

4. There is negative media reporting.

Mass distrust and cynicism may be diminishing after terrorist attack on

America.

1. There is mass confidence in the military.

2. There is mass confidence in the non elected Supreme Court.

INTOLERANCE TOWARDS UNPOPULAR GROUPS

There is an Increase in Intolerance toward unpopular groups.

1. This is a reason why right and left counterelites have arisen in American

politics.

2. Mass support for legal immigration has declined over the years.

3. Elite support for legal and illegal immigration has increased over the years.

4. Opinion Differences are explained by variations in level of education.

• The masses are ignorant.

• The masses are politically inactive and apathetic.

• These are the reasons why democracy survives.

Mass intolerance diminished after Brown v. Board of Education.

1. There was a change in who was unpopular.

2. There is a trend in popular vote victories for anti-civil rights issues.

POLITICAL MESSAGE

This is the famous “This Land”

cartoon. It is seen as a strong

influential message during the

2004 Presidential Election.

What is the message behind

this cartoon? Was it the

motivation of those behind its

creation to influence our political

system or was the primary

purpose to produce publicity for

their company?

POLITICAL MESSAGE

Snide TV produced a funny political

cartoon during the Presidential

Primary Election of 2008. “Obama

On the Run” Hillary Clinton and

Barack Obama musically argue it

out over who is the better candidate

in this song satirizing "Anything You

Can Do I Can Do Better." The

cartoon focuses on the narcissistic

characteristics of both Hillary

Clinton and Barack Obama. All

candidates are narcissists at heart.

POLITICAL MESSAGE

The Republican National

Committee produced “John Kerry:

International Man Of Mystery”

during the 2004 presidential

election. This campaign

advertisement pokes fun at John

Kerry’s assertion that he is in

contact with world leaders who are

not comfortable with President

George W. Bush. The theme is set

to “Austin Powers”. Enjoy the video.

ELITSE-MASS COMMUNICATION

Mass Media are the Primary Channels of

Communication between Elites and Masses

Means of Communication

• Television communicates emotions and

information.

• News executives, reporters, editors, anchors,

and producers decide what will be news.

MEDIA POLITICAL FUNCTIONS

Mass Media have Political Functions in Society.

• They have the power to set the agenda of issues.

• Their liberal bias is toward bad-news.

• Supreme Court decisions support mass media on no prior

restraint and absence of malice issues.

• The Federal Communications Commission supports mass

media on fairness issues.

Mass media is the principal link between political candidates

and the voters.

• Mass media emphasize the personal image of candidates

rather than issues.

• Political campaigning through mass media is very costly.

Mass Media mainly influence what people know, think, and

talking about.

SELLING ISSUES TO SOCIETY

The mass media’s greatest

power is the ability to decide

what will be decided. How do

interest groups direct mass

opinion today? We will examine

a marketing campaign led by

the “Consumers Union” that

addresses the issue of

prescription cost. Humor very

effective in pulling on emotional

heartstrings. The ending directs

viewers to a website that states

the primary purpose of this clip.

SELLING ISSUES TO SOCIETY

President Bill Clinton and First

Lady Hillary Clinton proposed

comprehensive healthcare

legislation to provide health

insurance to millions of uninsured

citizens. The Health Insurance

Association of American (HIAA), a

health insurance lobbying group

produced “Harry and Louise”