POL SCI 1 Lecture Notes - Me Too Movement, Political Positions Of Donald Trump, Backsliding
communication increase
3. Growth of Govt: weak organizations empowered by govt → mobilize groups for more reform; law
gives incentives (lawyers can sue) for groups to be financed
How influential are interest groups
(influential)
Resources of Interest Groups:
- specialization and expertise; spend a lot of money; flexibility (you can channel resources in a
variety of venues); coordinate collective action (get a lot of people to join); act on various
fronts/openings in politics → under gridlock power moves to states → int. Groups can lobby on
state elections
-interest groups can influence agenda control: consider material that’s never make it to political
arena because it’s a losing battle (Obama and Healthcare reform) → roll call votes only look at
issues that make it to the debate; what’s actually in the proposal = alternative specification
-interest groups influence public opinion (ex: the Koch effect)
-the fact that powerful groups fail to change status quo doesn’t mean they’re weak
Interest Groups = noninfluential
-campaign contributions are “symbolic participation”
-contributions don’t affect roll call votes
-counter (int groups are influential): scientists may not be looking below the water line of power
Social Movements
= an effort by a large number of people and organizations to bring about social, cultural, economic
or political change (transformational agenda)
-different from int groups: more geared to working with mass crows; non-economic
Influence of Social Movements
-agenda setting: can shape what we consider are big issues today
-generate high levels of political mobilization that do get results (ex: gay rights or #MeToo
increased number of women congressional candidates
Week 12: Voting, Campaigns, and Elections
Voters: Why do people (not) vote:
-population of voters are different from population of non-voters
~people who participate in low-level turnout elections are highly distinguisable
-voting = collective acton election (people vote for specific outcome)
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Voters: why do people (not) vote: communication increase: growth of govt: weak organizations empowered by govt mobilize groups for more reform; law gives incentives (lawyers can sue) for groups to be financed. Interest groups influence public opinion (ex: the koch effect) The fact that powerful groups fail to change status quo doesn"t mean they"re weak. Counter (int groups are influential): scientists may not be looking below the water line of power. = an effort by a large number of people and organizations to bring about social, cultural, economic or political change (transformational agenda) Different from int groups: more geared to working with mass crows; non-economic. Agenda setting: can shape what we consider are big issues today. Generate high levels of political mobilization that do get results (ex: gay rights or #metoo increased number of women congressional candidates. Population of voters are different from population of non-voters. ~people who participate in low-level turnout elections are highly distinguisable.
