Public Opinion and the Media

What we believe? Or what we are told we believe?Public Opinion and the Media

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1817967/jfk_vintage_presidential_campaign_commercials/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDUQW8LUMs8

http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1952/ike-for-president

YouTube - "The Cost of Doing Nothing"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoBFL6iwid4http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io9KMSSEZ0Yhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3cpQnVvXSshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpg6FvPesio&NR=1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88WL8ZZKwmwPublic OpinionAfter seeing all these commercials and posters what do you think public opinion really is?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Public OpinionThe peoples evaluations and understanding of politics in general and their views on specific political issues of the day.American Government RasmussenThe random sample and its surprising accuracyPolling in the U.S. has become very scientific in nature and pollsters only need a random sample to get fairly accurate public opinion numbers.On the other hand check this out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvodhsMc2QM

The Medias RoleYoung voters are especially affected by the mediaOlder adults see the media as presenting bad newsGenerally lowering the view of politics and politicians in that persons mind.Agenda setting by the mediaSometimes the media takes an issue and runs with it, making or shaping public opinion around it then bringing political attention to it.The making and shaping of the public opinion part is called the priming effect

Public OpinionDirect mail is also an effective way to keep public opinion on the high side of an issueFor example: pamphlets and flyers from candidates and their parties.Polling in politicsPolling has become a very effective tool for campaigns and parties to shape public opinion around candidates and to shape candidates messages

Public Opinion and what we believeAmericans are liberalWhat do you mean? Im not a liberal?What do you think liberal means?_____________________________________________________________________________________________________We support private property, self- reliance, free enterprise, freedom, equality, achievement motivation, and individualism.

Our Beliefs Translated into ActionDemocracyGeneral Democratic Principles

If asked this question what do you think people would sayShould the minority be free to criticize the majority?_________________________________________________________

Ideology (in the more well known sense)Liberal ConservativeConcentrate on social issues and changeGovernment involvement in regulation of the economyGovernment acting on behalf of the disadvantagedUsually go with the status quoSupport less government regulation of the economyRely on charity to act on behalf of the disadvantagedLiberal and ConservativePublic opinion in the U.S. between the two ideologies ebbs and flows. So which ideology do the parties generally subscribe to?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Are there any in-betweens?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Public Opinion and what forms it

Well polls form some of itGenerally though the economic conditions nationally, effect the shift from one to another.The worse the economy the more conservative we are, the better the economy the more liberal we are.Public Opinion and Public Trust

1950s Level of trust was high in governmentBut by the 1960s trust in government was falling off.This trend begins shortly after the Civil Rights Act of 1964.By the 1980s trust in government is on the rise again.

Involvement, Civic Duty, BehaviorPolitical InvolvementHow interested are we in politics?________________________________________From the 60s to the 70s involvement falls off, and by 1988 a key indicator (the reading of newspapers) had dropped dramatically.Civic DutyOught we to be involved in politics?Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But why? It is a responsibility of being a citizen and enjoying the rights that go with it.It effects every part of our lives, public policy is the effect of government on our lives. Involvement, Civic Duty, Behavior Voter Behavior= ? _________________________ (how other conditions affect voting and voters and their reaction to these conditions)Voter behavior: as economic conditions get worse and optimism falls voting along class lines will increase. Low voter turnout is a direct result of financial difficulty, unemployment, and poverty levels. Politics become of less concern when we are just making ends meet.How do we know what we know about PoliticsIt is called political socializationThe familyEveryday experiencesEducationIncomeSocial statusAge Gender

Public Opinion and Public PolicyThese two really do go hand in hand62% of SCOTUS decisions reflect public opinion at the time of the decisionState and local policy also reflects public opinionLiberal policy shifts tend to happen more quickly and conservative shifts in policy tend to happen more slowly in congruence with public opinion shifts

ParticipationVoting in electionsCampaigningCommunal Activity (community organizing)ContactingCalling a politician or official to affect change