(first, more on mass
media)
The mass
media have diverse impacts on democratic
government.
- The
mass media contribute to majoritarian democracy in the
U.S. in two ways:
- By
being critical of politicians and search for
weaknesses in their public statements, reporters
improve the accuracy of communication from government
to citizen.
- By
polling citizens' reactions to political events and
governmental actions, the mass media improve
communication from citizens to
government.
- The
mass media are less important to the pluralist model
of democracy, although interest groups are
increasingly using the media to general public support
for their special interests.
- The mass
media have played an important role in advancing
equality, especially racial equality, in the
U.S.
- Although
the mass media are willing to mobilize government action
to infringe on personal freedom for equality's sake, they
resist attempts to infringe on freedom of the press to
promote public order.
- Compared
with the public, journalists are far more likely to
regard freedom of the press as sacrosanct.
- On the
topic of press freedom, the media operate as an
interest group in pluralist
democracy.
- The
media's interest in reporting whatever they wish
whenever they wish erodes government's efforts to
maintain order.
- The
sensationalist coverage of terrorist activities
tends to encourage the
activities.
- Sensationalist
coverage of brutal crimes tends to produce
"copycat" crimes.
- Publicity
given to deaths from adulterated substances tends
to prompt further adulterations.
- The
liberal messages of the mass media
- Favor
freedom over order
- Favor
equality over freedom
The newer
"elite" and "targeted" media contribute more to pluralist
democracy and perhaps undermine democratic
government
- Definition
of elite and targeted media
- Internet
communications
- Facsimile
transmissions
- Radio
talk shows
- Christian
or ethnic radio
- Ideologically
oriented, mostly right-wing
- National
Public Radio, mostly liberal
- Cable
television--the 500 channel revolution
- Christian
or ethnic
- Ideologically
oriented, mostly right-wing
- Public
Broadcasting Service, News Hour
- Political
consequences of these new manifestations of electronic
technology
- Allow
special interests to organize
- National
Rifle Association
- Greenpeace
- Economic
groups
- Good
government groups
- Even
allow anti-system groups to organize
- Anti-government
militia movements
- Anti-black,
anti-jewish hate groups
- The rise
of the new electronic technology poses a genuine problem
for democratic government
- How
much of this technology really serves majoritarian
interests?
- How
much serves very narrow special
interests?
Political
participation and
elections
Are
Americans politically apathetic--what is the evidence for
and against?
- Turnout in
U.S. Elections
- Presidential--
less than 49% in 1996
- About
35 % in 1998
- These
turnout figures do not compare favorably with turnout
across the world, so people contend that Americans are
"politically apathetic"
- In truth,
U.S. citizens tend to participate as much or more
than citizens in other western nations.
- Consider
the Graphs of Conventional Political Participation in
five nations on pages 214 and 215.
- The
only form of political participation that Americans do
less than others is vote.
- That
says more about our electoral system than about the
civic spirit of U.S. citizens.
Political
participation comes in several forms.
- According
to the democratic ideal "government ought to be run by
the people."
- In the
model of direct democracy citizens participate
directly in government affairs.
- Indirect
democracy relies on ELECTIONS -- formal procedures for
voting to make group decisions -- as the formal
mechanism for citizen participation.
- UNCONVENTIONAL
PARTICIPATION is relatively uncommon behavior that
threatens or defies government channels.
- Americans
generally disapprove of unconventional political
action involving destruction of property and physical
violence.
- Unconventional
participation has been successful in influencing
government decisions.
- Notable
successes include:
- Discouraging
President Johnson from seeking
re-election.
- Heightening
concern over the Vietnam War.
- Lowering
the voting age to 18.
- The
civil rights movement relied on DIRECT ACTION --
assembling crowds to confront business and local
government -- to demand equal treatment for
blacks.
- Unconventional
participation pressured Congress to pass civil
rights laws against racial
discrimination.
- Black
protest in the South has been in part
responsible for increased welfare
support.
- There
are three typical characteristics of people
participating in direct political action.
- Distrust
of the political system.
- Strong
sense of political efficacy.
- A
highly developed sense of group
consciousness.
- Studies
suggest that Americans are more likely to participate
in unconventional politics than citizens from other
democratic countries.
- CONVENTIONAL
PARTICIPATION is relatively routine, non-threatening
behavior that uses the channels of representative
government.
- SUPPORTIVE
BEHAVIORS are purely ceremonial acts expressing
allegiance to government and
country.
- INFLUENCING
BEHAVIOR seeks to modify government
policy.
- Citizens
may derive particular benefits from
government.
- More
resourceful citizens are able to use the court
system to press their rights.
- Individuals
with higher economic status are more likely to
contact public officials to ask for special
services.
- Citizens
demand more of local then national
government.
- Citizens
engage in two kinds of activities which influence
the selection of government personnel and
policies.
- LOW
INITIATIVE acts such as voting do not require
much effort by the individual.
- HIGH
INITIATIVE acts require active participation by
individuals to obtain benefits for a
group.
- Compared
to citizens of other countries, Americans are less
likely to vote in elections but more likely to use
other forms of conventional participation.
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