Unit 3: Media, Political Parties, and Interest Groups
The role of media in political systems
The media contains many different outlets like television, magazines, radio, and internet which all help to supply the world with current news and events. The media has the decision of what they choose to talk about and how they talk about it which is also known as the gatekeeper. They choose what is relevant and significant to talk about. There is also the scorekeeper who keeps track of and help make reputations. The watchdog scrutinize people, places, and events. The choice of what to display and discuss determines its importance and helps citizens communicate to the people in government.
Media's Impact
As previously stated the media has the choice of what they show and talk about due to political party identification and personal preferences. When people are exposed to certain stories and interpretations then the public opinion of certain issues. The media can also air biased commercials and ads that further influence their public opinion on issues. The media is also a platform for candidates to let the public get to know them and what they stand for and depending on that media's political alliance, they can choose to show them in an unfavorable way which could lower the polling numbers which later could lead to them losing their election. It has allowed for the public to have a close connection to candidates and communicate any issues or concerns.
Candidates, Political Officials, and the Media
There is a symbiotic relationship between candidates and political officials and the media because the media uses the candidates and officials as entertainment for the public. The media wants to attract the publics' attention and gain as much viewers as possible and the candidates and officials need air time in order to become a favorite with the public and increase their followers. However if portrayed in a negative light then it can have the opposite effect for the candidates and officials.
Media's goals and incentives
The media's main goal is to attract as many viewers as possible and make a profit from those viewers which is why they choose to air the more scandalous and interesting stories. However these stories may not be the most significant ones which explains the public's lack of awareness of what is going on in the world.
Media concentration in the hands of the few
When media is handled by only a few different people rather than a bunch of people, it leads to a lack of variety because each person has their own views of what's important and how it should be shared with the public. It as a result gives the public a more general and less informed view of the current events and news which will hinder their understanding and knowledge of politics. Also when there is less people in control then it increases the chances for corruption and abuse of power by allowing only certain things to be aired and talked about which will create a bias within the public. This has led to the FCC creating regulations and rules for the broadcasting and owners of all media outlets.
Lobbying and Interests Groups
Interests groups and lobbyists main focus is to bring attention to issues to the public in order for the government to make changes that appease their demands. They hold a major role in informing the public about the political problems so that policies and laws can be created and established for the well being of everyone.
Interests groups
Interests groups are unorganized groups of individuals that seek to influence public policy. They bring attention to issues, represent the public, inform the public, monitor the government in regards to programs and policies, and participate in political events and meetings. The have their own specific agendas that they wish to promote and bring awareness to so that changes can be made to better help and support these causes.
Political Institutions
Certain people are able to exert more pressure on to political institutions as a result of their background and resources. People who have more education and money are able to supply people and political groups with money and attention for their campaigns as a result of the name recognition they have. Since they have more power, they can be a major asset to political institutions and therefore exert more control and power.
Mechanisms for communication
Communication plays a major role within the government and there are multiple types which include direct lobbies, grassroots mobilization, litigation, high tech lobbies, and informational campaigns. Direct lobbying is when individuals are sent to discuss their issues and concerns with political or authority figures. Grassroots mobilization is where the citizens are able to direct action regarding political issues and concerns. Litigation is when people take legal action to change things by going to court so it can be official. High tech lobbying is when people turn to social media in order to get their opinion out there in order to attempt to change certain issues and other items in concern. Informational campaigning is when people are informed on specific issues.
US party systems
Initially there weren't any parties but then the first party system would be established between the democratic republicans and the federalists. They would survive from 1792 to 1828 where the second party system would be created. This party would include the whigs and the democrats. Now a days the US party systems are between the democrats and the republicans. The idea of party systems allows for people to nominate candidates and follow their own set of beliefs and ideas for how the government should be run.
Party Reforms and Campaign Strategies
Candidates and political officials use the new technology as much as possible in order to gain attention and votes. Technology has made major improvements which allows for them to use it for a lot in regards to their campaigns. They can make many new advancements to their communication through radio, television, ads, social media, and posters which can bring awareness to their campaigns.
PACs
PACs are organizations that raise money for campaigns in order to influence elections and legislation. They can hold a lot of power and influence over the campaigns. Republicans and democrats hold different ideologies and having these PACs can help push them into office if they win the election. Most elections are usually between 2 parties but third parties can be formed if people don't want to follow either party.
The media contains many different outlets like television, magazines, radio, and internet which all help to supply the world with current news and events. The media has the decision of what they choose to talk about and how they talk about it which is also known as the gatekeeper. They choose what is relevant and significant to talk about. There is also the scorekeeper who keeps track of and help make reputations. The watchdog scrutinize people, places, and events. The choice of what to display and discuss determines its importance and helps citizens communicate to the people in government.
Media's Impact
As previously stated the media has the choice of what they show and talk about due to political party identification and personal preferences. When people are exposed to certain stories and interpretations then the public opinion of certain issues. The media can also air biased commercials and ads that further influence their public opinion on issues. The media is also a platform for candidates to let the public get to know them and what they stand for and depending on that media's political alliance, they can choose to show them in an unfavorable way which could lower the polling numbers which later could lead to them losing their election. It has allowed for the public to have a close connection to candidates and communicate any issues or concerns.
Candidates, Political Officials, and the Media
There is a symbiotic relationship between candidates and political officials and the media because the media uses the candidates and officials as entertainment for the public. The media wants to attract the publics' attention and gain as much viewers as possible and the candidates and officials need air time in order to become a favorite with the public and increase their followers. However if portrayed in a negative light then it can have the opposite effect for the candidates and officials.
Media's goals and incentives
The media's main goal is to attract as many viewers as possible and make a profit from those viewers which is why they choose to air the more scandalous and interesting stories. However these stories may not be the most significant ones which explains the public's lack of awareness of what is going on in the world.
Media concentration in the hands of the few
When media is handled by only a few different people rather than a bunch of people, it leads to a lack of variety because each person has their own views of what's important and how it should be shared with the public. It as a result gives the public a more general and less informed view of the current events and news which will hinder their understanding and knowledge of politics. Also when there is less people in control then it increases the chances for corruption and abuse of power by allowing only certain things to be aired and talked about which will create a bias within the public. This has led to the FCC creating regulations and rules for the broadcasting and owners of all media outlets.
Lobbying and Interests Groups
Interests groups and lobbyists main focus is to bring attention to issues to the public in order for the government to make changes that appease their demands. They hold a major role in informing the public about the political problems so that policies and laws can be created and established for the well being of everyone.
Interests groups
Interests groups are unorganized groups of individuals that seek to influence public policy. They bring attention to issues, represent the public, inform the public, monitor the government in regards to programs and policies, and participate in political events and meetings. The have their own specific agendas that they wish to promote and bring awareness to so that changes can be made to better help and support these causes.
Political Institutions
Certain people are able to exert more pressure on to political institutions as a result of their background and resources. People who have more education and money are able to supply people and political groups with money and attention for their campaigns as a result of the name recognition they have. Since they have more power, they can be a major asset to political institutions and therefore exert more control and power.
Mechanisms for communication
Communication plays a major role within the government and there are multiple types which include direct lobbies, grassroots mobilization, litigation, high tech lobbies, and informational campaigns. Direct lobbying is when individuals are sent to discuss their issues and concerns with political or authority figures. Grassroots mobilization is where the citizens are able to direct action regarding political issues and concerns. Litigation is when people take legal action to change things by going to court so it can be official. High tech lobbying is when people turn to social media in order to get their opinion out there in order to attempt to change certain issues and other items in concern. Informational campaigning is when people are informed on specific issues.
US party systems
Initially there weren't any parties but then the first party system would be established between the democratic republicans and the federalists. They would survive from 1792 to 1828 where the second party system would be created. This party would include the whigs and the democrats. Now a days the US party systems are between the democrats and the republicans. The idea of party systems allows for people to nominate candidates and follow their own set of beliefs and ideas for how the government should be run.
Party Reforms and Campaign Strategies
Candidates and political officials use the new technology as much as possible in order to gain attention and votes. Technology has made major improvements which allows for them to use it for a lot in regards to their campaigns. They can make many new advancements to their communication through radio, television, ads, social media, and posters which can bring awareness to their campaigns.
PACs
PACs are organizations that raise money for campaigns in order to influence elections and legislation. They can hold a lot of power and influence over the campaigns. Republicans and democrats hold different ideologies and having these PACs can help push them into office if they win the election. Most elections are usually between 2 parties but third parties can be formed if people don't want to follow either party.