1) (learning outcome 6-1): (Explain what an interest group is, why interest groups form, and how interest groups function in American politics).
2) (learning outcome 6-3): (Discuss how the activities of interest groups help shape government policymaking.)
Watch the 60 Minutes video: A Question of CorruptionLinks to an external site. and answer the following questions (see also: Drug Lobbyists’ Battle Cry Over Prices: Blame the Others
Links to an external site.
3) Explain the influence of the pharmaceutical industry on the prescription drug bill (what tactics did they use)?
4) What did the pharmaceutical industry stand to gain from the prescription drug bill?
5) After watching the video, what are your thoughts on the “revolving door”, in which members of government go to work for interest groups that use to lobby them?
Watch the video Obama’s Deal Links to an external site.(start at 11 minutes 19 seconds and you only need to watch about 10 minutes to be able to answer the two questions below). This video can be found under PBS Frontline or likely YouTube. It is a 55 minute documentary, buy you don’t have to watch the entire video to answer the questions (please see above).
6) How does this video relate to chapter 6? Be specific and support your claim with an example
7) What is your reaction to this video?
8 Explain the geographic trends with red and blue states (page 150-152). You can also right click and open the link: Presidential Election Results Links to an external site.in a new window to see additional geographic trends to help you (or if you don’t have your book). You can also use the link: A very detailed map of the 2020 Election.Links to an external site.
A) States that tend to be blue:
B) States that tend to be red:
C) Counties that tend to be blue
D) Counties that tend to be red
9) Compare the map in figure 7-2 to 7-4. What geographic patterns have changed in which states tend to vote Republican and which ones vote Democrat?
10) On page 152, according to the map in figure 7-5 and the description on page 151, would you describe Minnesota as a red or blue state and why?
11) According to page 152 what was Trumps Triumph? Which states were key to his victory and what might account for his ability to win those key states?
12) Why do third parties remain relatively minor? (Examine page 161) to help you)
13) What effects do third parties have? Pages 164-165?
14) Open the link: The Partisan Divide on Political Values Grows Even Wider Links to an external site.and summarize the major trend that is apparent after examining all of the surveys/charts on this website. Discuss the implications of this trend.
