CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT
Chapter 11
The Political System
Section 1: Shaping Public Opinion
Section 2: Interest Groups
Section 3: Taking Part in Government
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
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Section 1: Shaping Public Opinion
The Main Idea
Political leaders and interest groups find many ways to
shape public opinion and influence the beliefs of
American citizens.
Reading Focus
 What is public opinion, and how is it shaped?
 What is propaganda, and what are six common
propaganda techniques?
 How is public opinion measured?
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HOLT, RINEHART
AND
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT
Section 1: Shaping Public Opinion
People’s opinions are influenced by
 Family, friends, teachers, and clubs.
 Information from mass media: television,
newspapers, magazines, radio, and the
Internet.
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
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Section 1: Shaping Public Opinion
The importance of staying informed
 Democracy requires informed citizens.
 Well-informed citizens must recognize
differences between facts and opinions.
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AND
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT
Section 1: Shaping Public Opinion
Propaganda
 Propaganda is ideas spread to influence public
opinion, consumers, and voters.
 Mass media and communications technology
enable the spread of propaganda.
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
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Section 1: Shaping Public Opinion
Propaganda methods:
 Concealed propaganda attempts to fool people.
 Revealed propaganda makes people aware that
it is trying to influence them.
 Propaganda techniques: bandwagon, card
stacking, glittering generalities, name-calling,
plain-folks appeal, and testimonials
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AND
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT
Section 1: Shaping Public Opinion
Measurements of public opinion:
 Elections
 Polls or surveys—take opinions of “samples”
of population
 Wording of polls, number of responses and the
sample population influence the outcome of polls.
 Polls may also influence public opinion.
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HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
CIVICS IN PRACTICE
SECTION 1
HOLT
Question: How is public opinion measured?
Measuring Public Opinion
elections
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polls
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT
Section 2: Interest Groups
The Main Idea
Interest groups work to persuade the government to
adopt particular policies and address specific issues.
Reading Focus
 What are interest groups, and what are the different
types of interest groups?
 How do lobbyists try to influence government and
public opinion?
 Do interest groups have too much power?
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HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT
Section 2: Interest Groups
Interest Groups
 Organizations that seek to influence
government policy
 Also known as pressure groups or lobbies
 Lobbies do not seek to influence elections like
the political parties do.
 Lobbies may represent economic interests,
social interests, or general public interest.
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AND
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT
Section 2: Interest Groups
Different types of interest groups:
 Business associations, labor unions, farm
organizations, veterans’ organizations,
teachers’ associations, and consumer groups
 Public interest groups
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT
Section 2: Interest Groups
Criticism of interest groups:
 Interest groups are too involved in lawmaking.
 Well-funded and organized groups receive too
much attention; other interests are not equally
represented.
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
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Section 2: Interest Groups
How do lobbyists try to influence opinion?
 Propose, research, and help write bills for
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Congress
Testify at committee hearings and may present
evidence
Supply lawmakers with information
Advertise in the mass media
Supply workers and funds to election campaigns
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
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SECTION 2
CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT
Question: How do lobbyists try to influence
government and public opinion?
How Lobbyists Influence Opinions
 Argue for or against legislation
 Ask congressmembers to sponsor bills
 Supply information, help write bills
 Testify at hearings
 Advertise
 Provide workers and contributors for candidates
 Urge people to contact public officials
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AND
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT
Section 3: Taking Part in Government
The Main Idea
Americans can participate in government by voting and
speaking out on the issues that matter to them.
Reading Focus
 What are the four ways that all citizens can
participate in government?
 Why is voting important, and why do so few U.S.
citizens vote?
 How do volunteers and interest groups help political
campaigns?
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AND
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT
Section 3: Taking Part in Government
Four ways of participating in
government:
 Vote in local, state, and national elections
 Work for political parties
 Speak out on public issues
 Work to improve our communities
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
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Section 3: Taking Part in Government
Voting
 A right and a responsibility
 Expresses our opinions about our leaders and their
policies
 U.S. voter turnout is one of the lowest in the world.
 Apathy, failure to register, illness, dissatisfaction
with the candidates, location, and residency
requirements contribute to poor voter turn-out.
 The 1916 and 2000 elections demonstrate the
importance of every vote.
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AND
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT
Section 3: Taking Part in Government
Volunteers and interest groups help
political campaigns through:
 Telephone and door-to-door campaigning
 Distribution of literature on the street
 Mailings
 Interest groups provide volunteers and funds via
political action committees.
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HOLT, RINEHART
AND
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
SECTION 3
HOLT
Question: What are five ways that citizens can
participate in government?
How Citizens Can Participate in
Government
voting
speaking out
on issues
contacting
public officials
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working for a
political party
volunteering in
the community
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT
Chapter 11 Wrap-Up
1. How does the use of propaganda differ in
totalitarian societies and democratic societies?
2. What is the purpose of polls? Why must polls use
representative samples?
3. How do interest groups differ from political parties?
4. Identify ways that lobbyists try to influence public
policy and opinion.
5. How can citizens take party in the political system?
6. Why is voting important? Why do so few Americans
vote?
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HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON