Name ___________________________________Date ________________________ Block ___________
Public Policy Study Guide
9a. The _______________________ forms the public agenda, informs policymakers, and influences
public policy by:
a. Focusing public _______________________ on selected _______________________
b. Offering a _______________________ in which _______________________
_______________________ are communicated
c. Holding _______________________ _______________________ accountable to the public
i. Publishing _______________________or airing stories about a particular issue to create
interest in a topic (often when __________________ ______________________.)
ii. The _______________________ section of the newspaper, a televised
_______________________, or a _______________________ on television provides
candidates or experts a way to present _______________________ views.
iii. Mass media follow office holders to make sure they keep their _________________.
iv. Inform _______________________ about actions of _______________________
_______________________ that might not otherwise be known.
Government officials use the _____________________ to communicate with the ____________________.
Name one way the President might influence the policy making process through the use of media.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Sample questions:
1. The media plays an important role in policymaking because they _______:
a. Focus public attention on important issues.
b. Are the only source the people trust.
c. Report only correct information.
d. Get all of their information from the government.
2. Which of the following is NOT a way the media holds officeholders and lawmakers
accountable to the public?
a. Acting as a watchdog for the public.
b. Joining interest groups.
c. Follow officeholders to make sure they keep their promises.
d. Provides a forum for candidates or experts to present opposing viewpoints.
9b. Individuals and Interest Groups
Define lobbying: ______________________________________________________________________________

Is legal and protected by the _______________________ under the ____________________
Amendment which guarantees the right “to petition the government for a redress of
grievances”.

Examples of lobbying in its most basic form are: Writing a letter to a _______________________,
signing a _______________________, and speaking at a town hall _______________________ (public
meeting place for open discussion).

By lobbying, constituents tell _______________________ how proposed legislation or regulations
will affect their _______________________ or business.

Lobbyists are often former _______________________ or legislative staffers, hired either by an
_______________________ to forward its interests or as a consultant for multiple clients.
Ways individuals influence public policy:
a. Participating in politics. Examples of ways individuals participate in politics are:

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________
b. Expressing opinions. Examples of ways individuals express their opinions are:

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________
c. Joining Interest groups. Examples of interest groups are:

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________
Ways interest groups influence public policy:
a. Identifying issues. Examples are:
 __________________________________________ _______________________ ____
 ______________________________________________________________________
 ___________________________________________ _______________________ ___
b. Making political _______________________ ($)
c. _______________________ government officials (seeking to influence them to do something)
Name ___________________________________Date ________________________ Block ___________
Sample questions:
1. One way for individuals to influence public policy is by
a. volunteering.
b. reading newspapers.
c. voting.
d. watching television.
2. A person who seeks to influence legislators is called a/an
a. officeholder.
b. Demonstrator.
c. lobbyist.
d. government official.
9c. Impact of International Events on Public Policy
Local governments may be required to _______________________, _______________________, and
_______________________ public policies in response to international issues and events.
Examples of international events that could result in policy decisions by the local government could
include:
a. Public _______________________ concerns in the event of a pandemic. (Define pandemic:
__________________________________________________________________________________________)
b. Public _______________________ in the event of an act of terrorism. (Define terrorism: ___________
__________________________________________________________________________________________)
c. Economic development policies in response to the emerging global economy. (What does this
mean? (Give an example: ________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________)
d. Policies to protect the environment. (Two examples: ________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________)
Sample Question:
1. Which of the following international events would most-likely influence policy-making at the
local level of government?
a. A volcanic eruption in the Philippines.
b. The natural death of an influential leader in South Africa.
c. One Direction tour dates
d. An oil-rig explosion off the eastern coast of Russia.