chapter 8

Question 1

Special interests

Answer 1

are viewed as the rich and powerful pulling the strings of public officials behind the scenes.

Question 2

Interest groups

Answer 2

as people organized to pursue a common interest by applying pressure on the political process.

Question 3

Alexis De Tocqueville Democracy in American

Answer 3

He was impressed that Americans constantly joined all kinds of groups. The Frenchman thought these “associations” were essential to why democracy worked in the United States.

Question 4

Major types of interest groups:

Answer 4

Business groups- have a common interest in making profits, which also involves supporting the markets that makes profits possible.

Professional groups- include the American Medical Association, Bar Association, all of which have powerful lobbies in Washington.

Labor Unions- like the international Brotherhood of Teamsters and the Unions that make up the American Federation of Labor and the congress of Industrial Organizations, are the most important financial supporters of the Democratic party.

Agricultural interests- The American Farm Bureau Federation, The national Farmers union, and the National Grange are powerful groups in Washington. Have a long history of influential lobbying.

Question 5

Direct lobbying

Answer 5

Usually takes place quietly in congressional committees and executive bureaucracies. Lobbyists interacting directly with decision makers.

Question 6

Five commandments of lobbying

Answer 6

1. Demonstrate a constituent interest. 2.) Be well informed. 3.) Be balanced. 4.) keep it short and sweet. 5.) Leave a written summary

Question 7

Indirect lobbying-

Answer 7

may involve massive letter-writing that looks as if each letter has been individually written. Lobbyists getting others to interact directly with decision makers.

Question 8

Grassroots lobbying

Answer 8

its lobbyists getting voters contacting their representative or senator. This demonstrates intensity and broad popular support, reflects the issues local impact in the members have region, and reminds elected officials of the electoral pain that awaits a wrong decision.

Question 9

PAC ( political action committee

Answer 9

PACS are organizations set up by private groups such as businesses or labor unions to influence the political process by raising funds from their members and making campaign donations.

Question 10

Hyperpluralism

Answer 10

too many groups making too many demands on government. Groups demand benefits.

Question 11

527 groups-

Answer 11

private groups usually organized to support a presidential candidate by raising unregulated money; they are a way to get around the limits on campaign fundraising

Question 12

Agenda setting

Answer 12

a listening of national priorities; a major media functions achieved by the prominence given certain news stories

Question 13

News leaks

Answer 13

information and by controlling information going to the public.

Question 14

E.E Schattschneider’s “definition of alternatives”

Answer 14

is the supreme instrument of powers. Means the ability to set limits on political debates, to define what is politically important and what is not, and to make certain solutions reasonable and acceptable, and others not.

Question 15

Pseudoevents-

Answer 15

not real news at all, but happenings that are staged solely to be reported.

Question 16

Federal communication commission FCC 1934

Answer 16

generally took a pro-industry stance in restricting entry to broadcasting competitors.

Question 17

Access-

Answer 17

This is what lobbyists want and what campaign contributions buy. Not necessarily a favorable decision but access to the decision maker to make your case.

Question 18

Fourth branch of government

Answer 18

this is referred to the media (fourth estate).

Question 19

Chicken noodle news

Answer 19

ted turner, few people believed there be enough demand for such a station, and it was jokingly called this types of news.this refers to CNN.

Question 20

Concentration of ownership

Answer 20

owners sought to operate more cheaply and reach larger audiences by controlling larger markets. More and more media outlets in fewer and fewer hands raising concerns about the concentration of power this represents and the declining number of alternative viewpoints.

Question 21

Medias political functions-

Answer 21

1. telling the public what their leaders are doing
2. serving as a watchdog to hold leaders accountable
   The demands of the marketplace, by turning newscasts into entertainment and the undermining the financial viability of many newspapers, have limited the medias ability to fulfill either political functions.