public opinion and political action chapter 6 pearson education, inc., longman © 2008 government in...
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PUBLIC OPINION AND POLITICAL ACTION
Chapter 6
Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008Government in America: People, Politics, and PolicyThirteenth AP* Edition
Edwards/Wattenberg/Lineberry
Introduction
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Public Opinion The distribution of the population’s beliefs
about politics and policy issues Demography
The science of population changes Census
A valuable tool for understanding population changes
Required every 10 years by the Constitution
The American People
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The Immigrant Society United States is a nation of immigrants. Three waves of Immigration:
Northwestern Europeans (prior to late 19th Century)
Southern and eastern Europeans (late 19th and early 20th centuries)
Hispanics and Asians (late 20th century)
The American People
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The American Melting Pot Melting Pot: the mixing of cultures, ideas,
and peoples that has changed the American nation
Minority Majority: the emergence of a non-Caucasian majority
Political culture is an overall set of values widely shared within a society.
The American People
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The American People
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The American Melting Pot (continued) African Americans face a legacy of racism. Hispanics are the largest minority group faced
with the problem of illegal immigration. Simpson-Mazzoli Act: requires employers document
citizenship of employee Asian immigration has been driven by a new
class of professional workers. Native Americans: indigenous and
disadvantaged
The American People
The Regional Shift Population shift from
east to west Reapportionment:
the process of reallocating seats in the House of Representatives every 10 years on the basis of the results of the census
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The American People
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The Graying of America Fastest growing age group is over 65 Potential drain on Social Security
Pay as you go system In 1942, 42 workers per retiree In 2040, 2 workers per retiree
How Americans Learn About Politics: Political Socialization
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Political Socialization: “the process through which and individual
acquires [their] particular political orientation”
Orientation grow firmer with age The Process of Political Socialization
The Family Political leanings of children often mirror their
parents’ leanings
How Americans Learn About Politics: Political Socialization
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How Americans Learn About Politics: Political Socialization
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The Process of Political Socialization (continued) The Mass Media
Chief source of information as children age Generation gap is viewing television news
School Used by government to socialize young into political
culture Better-educated citizens are more likely to vote and are
more knowledgeable about politics and policy. Political Learning Over a Lifetime
Aging increases political participation and strength of party attachment.
Political Socialization Video Clip http://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdJ2URru0Lw
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How American Learn About Politics: Political Socialization
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Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information
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How Polls Are Conducted Sample: a small proportion of people who are
chosen in a survey to be representative of the whole
Random Sampling: the key technique employed by sophisticated survey researchers which operates on the principle that everyone should have an equal probability of being selected for the sample
Sampling Error: the level of confidence in the findings of a public opinion poll
Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information
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The Role of Polls in American Democracy Polls help politicians detect public
preferences. But critics say polls make politicians think
more about following than leading public Even though politicians do not track opinion to
make policy Polls may distort election process
Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information
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The Role of Polls in American Democracy (continued) Exit Polls: used by the media to predict
election day winners May discourage people from voting 2000 presidential election in Florida
Question wording may affect survey results
Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information
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What Polls Reveal About Americans’ Political Information Americans don’t know much about politics. Americans may know their basic beliefs but not
how that affects policies of the government. The Decline of Trust in Government
Since 1964, trust in government has declined. Trust in government has gone up somewhat
since September 11.
Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information Citizens Show Little Knowledge of Geography
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Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information
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What Americans Value: Political Ideologies
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Political Ideology: A coherent set of beliefs about politics, public
policy, and public purpose Who Are the Liberals and Conservatives?
Predominance of conservative over liberal thinking
Currently about 38% conservative, 24% liberal, 38% moderate Gender gap: women tend to be less conservative than
men Ideological variation by religion too
What Americans Value: Political Ideologies
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What Americans Value: Political Ideologies
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Do People Think in Ideological Terms? Ideologues: those who think in ideological
terms (12 percent) Group Benefits voters: view politics through
party label (42 percent) Nature of the Times: view of politics based
on whether times are good or bad (24 percent)
No issue content: vote routinely for party or personality (22 percent)
How Americans Participate in Politics
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Political Participation: all the activities used by citizens to influence the selection of political leaders or the policies they pursue
Conventional Participation Voting in elections Working in campaigns or running for office Contacting elected officials
How Americans Participate in Politics
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Protest as Participation Protest: a form of political participation
designed to achieve policy changes through dramatic and unconventional tactics
Civil disobedience: a form of political participation that reflects a conscious decision to break a law believed to be immoral and to suffer the consequences
How Americans Participate in Politics Class, Inequality, and Participation
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Understanding Public Opinion and Political Action
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Public Attitudes Toward the Scope of Government Many people have no opinion about scope of
government. Public opinion is inconsistent, which may lead to
policy gridlock. Democracy, Public Opinion, and Political
Action Americans select leaders, but do they do so wisely? If people know little about candidates’ issues, how
can they? People vote more for performance than policy.
Summary
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American society is ethnically diverse and changing.
Knowing public opinion is important to a democracy, just as polling has costs and benefits.
Americans know little about politics. Political participation is generally low.