Final answer:
In a democracy, political parties work to elect candidates that support their ideologies, interest groups advocate for specific policies, the media reports news and acts as a watchdog, and PACs pool and donate funds to campaigns. Each plays a unique role in shaping public policy and government with differing methods of influence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Political parties, interest groups, the media, and Political Action Committees (PACs) all play significant roles in a democracy, though their functions and methods differ.
Political parties organize around shared ideologies and policy goals, seeking to elect candidates to implement those policies. They serve as a linkage institution between the government and the public, mobilizing voters and facilitating collective action. On the other hand, interest groups are more focused on specific issues or sectors, advocating for policies that favor their particular concerns, often through lobbying, research, and public campaigns.
When it comes to the media, its primary role is to report the news and act as a watchdog, holding those in power accountable. The media also influences the public agenda by highlighting certain issues and informing citizens, thereby enabling informed decision-making.
PACs are structured to financially support political candidates or legislation. While their primary function is to pool campaign contributions from members and donate those funds to campaign for or against candidates, ballot initiatives, or legislation, they also engage in advocacy and political strategy.
In contrast, each entity's method of influencing public policy and democracy varies. Political parties aim to control government through elections, interest groups influence policy through advocacy and lobbying, the media shapes public perception and awareness by controlling the flow of information, and PACs assert influence through financial means.