Name ___________________________________Date ________________________ Block___________
Public Policy Study Guide - KEY
9a. The media forms the public agenda, informs policymakers, and influences public policy by:
a. Focusing public attention on selected issues.
b. Offering a forum in which opposing viewpoints are communicated
c. Holding government officials accountable to the public
i. Publishing articles or airing stories about a particular issue to create interest in a
topic (often when none existed.)
ii. Mass media follow office holders to make sure they keep their promises.
Government officials use the media to communicate with the public.
Name one way the president might influence the policy making process through the use of media.
Presenting issues through the State of the Union Address.
Sample questions:
1. The media plays an important role in policy making 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 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: seeking to influence legislators to introduce or vote for or against a bill.
• Is legal and protected by the Constitution under the First 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 representative, signing a
petition, and speaking at a town hall forum (public meeting place for open discussion).
• By lobbying, constituents tell lawmakers how proposed legislation or regulations will affect their
communities or business.
• Lobbyists are often former congressmen or legislative staffers, hired either by an organization
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:
• voting
• campaigning
• seeking office
b. Expressing opinions. Examples of ways individuals express their opinions are:
• lobbying
• demonstrating
• writing letters
c. Joining Interest groups. Examples of interest groups are:
• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
• American Medical Association (AMA)
• National Education Association (NEA)
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving ( MADD)
• American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
Ways interest groups influence public policy:
a. Identifying issues. Examples are:
• environment
• education
• drugs/alcohol
b. Making political contributions ($)
c. Lobbying 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 formulate, adopt, and implement 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 health concerns in the event of a pandemic. (Define pandemic: an
epidemic/outbreak over a wide geographic area.)
b. Public safety in the event of an act of terrorism. (Define terrorism: involving actions dangerous
to human life that violate federal or state law and intended to intimidate a civilian population.)
c. Economic development policies in response to the emerging global economy. (What does this
mean? (Give an example: tax incentives, worker training, global competition strategies,
supporting entrepreneurships)
d. Policies to protect the environment. (Two examples: wildlife protection, water regulations,
anti-pollution policies and regulations)
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.